Chapter 511 I Want to Hear You Call My Name
Unaware of their sons' 'scheming', Ethan entered the kitchen. "Pearl, let me help you."
"Your Highness, someone of your status shouldn't be in the kitchen," Ashley protested. "I'll be finished soon, just wait a little longer."
As she continued chopping vegetables, Ethan's expression darkened slightly at her formality.
"It's no trouble," he insisted, gently taking the knife from her hands—careful, despite his assertiveness, not to hurt her.
"Alright then, but be careful," she conceded.
Ethan's lips curved into a smile. "Pearl, are you worried about me?"
Ashley blushed. "I was just saying that... the knife is sharp."
Suddenly, Ethan moved closer. Ashley's eyes widened in surprise as she instinctively stepped back, but he continued to advance until she was cornered against the counter. They stood so close that their breaths intermingled, making it difficult to breathe normally.
"Your Highness... what are you doing?" she asked nervously.
Ethan's voice dropped to a husky whisper. "Why do you call me 'Your Highness'?"
Ashley looked at him in confusion. "That's what everyone calls you."
"That's them—strangers and acquaintances," Ethan explained. "But you're different. You're my love. You can use my name."
Ashley's cheeks reddened. "Fine. Could you step back now?"
"Not until I hear you say my name," he teased with a dangerously charming smile.
Ashley's heart raced. "Totti."
Ethan frowned. "My family calls me by my other name. You can call me Ethan."
"Ethan." she said softly.
Her voice was so gentle and sweet that Ethan felt his blood stir.
Ethan!
When she spoke his name, both of them froze momentarily.
They experienced a strange sense of familiarity, as though she had called him this many times before, and he had grown accustomed to hearing it from her lips. It felt oddly like reuniting with something long forgotten.
After a moment, Ethan smiled. "Yes."
"From now on, call me Ethan."
"Okay."
Their eyes locked as they stood inches apart, their breaths mingling. It seemed the slightest movement would bring their lips together.
Slowly, Ethan leaned forward. Ashley nervously closed her eyes. Just as they were about to kiss, a burning smell filled the air!
"Oh no!" Ashley exclaimed, pushing Ethan away.
Ethan snapped back to reality, realizing he had nearly lost himself in trying to kiss her.
"The steaks for the children are burning!" Ashley cried in dismay.
Ethan couldn't help but laugh.
"They're too charred to eat now," he observed. "There are more steaks in the refrigerator—let's start over."
"I suppose we'll have to," she agreed.
Ashley collected the burnt food on a plate rather than throwing it away.
As she took fresh steaks from the refrigerator and began cooking again, Ethan picked up the plate of burnt food, intending to discard it.
"Ethan, don't throw that away," Ashley said quickly.
"It's burned beyond eating. Why keep it?"
"It's wasteful to throw away food," she explained. "I'll set it aside and find a way to repurpose it later."
"If you say so."
Ethan was impressed by her frugality, though he silently resolved not to let her or the children eat burned food.
Watching Ashley work efficiently in the kitchen filled Ethan with a peaceful contentment he hadn't expected.
Soon, dinner was ready, and they carried the dishes to the dining room.
"Boys, wash your hands! Dinner's ready!" Ashley called.
"Coming!" they replied cheerfully.
Andy and Nate returned with clean hands and took their seats at the table.
Ethan surveyed the spread of food with genuine appetite.
"Daddy, Mommy's cooking is the best. You should try it!" Nate encouraged.
"I will."
Whether it was a simple plate of pasta or tonight's feast, Ashley's cooking satisfied Ethan in a way no other food had. Everything tasted like perfection to him.
"This is delicious," he remarked sincerely.
"Wow, Daddy! Is your eating disorder better? You're not getting sick from Mommy's cooking!" Nate observed excitedly.
Ethan ruffled Nate's hair affectionately. "Yes, lately I've been able to eat anything your mother prepares without any problems."
He also realized that sleeping beside her each night had cured his insomnia without medication. The thought made him even more reluctant to let her go.
"That's wonderful!" Andy exclaimed. "Mommy can cook for you every day, and you won't need those IV treatments anymore!"
Ethan gazed intently at Ashley. "If your mother is willing, nothing would make me happier."
Ashley blushed deeply and kept her eyes on her plate, too embarrassed to speak.
The family of four enjoyed their meal together in harmonious contentment.
After dinner, Ethan and Ashley cleared the table together.
"Ethan," Ashley ventured, "I'd like to leave the palace for a while. Would that be possible?"
Ethan's expression, which had been radiating happiness and affection, instantly fell.
"Pearl," he asked with genuine hurt in his voice, "am I not treating you well enough? Why are you so eager to leave me?"
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