Chapter 515 The Adorable Babies Who Help
Andy and Nate exchanged glances before Nate chuckled mischievously. "Daddy, Mommy's been working so hard taking care of us. We want to surprise her with something special. You have to keep it a secret!"
Ethan ruffled their hair. "What kind of surprise are you planning? Can I be part of it?"
"Of course you can! In fact, you're essential to the plan," Nate exclaimed.
"Really?" Ethan's lips curved into a smile, touched that the children considered him so important in their surprise for their mother.
"Absolutely!"
"So what do I need to do?"
"Just keep it quiet for now. We'll tell you everything once we've finished planning."
"You little rascals," Ethan said affectionately, tousling Nate's hair again. "Your mother is lucky to have such thoughtful children. She'll be thrilled."
Little did he know that the children's "surprise" involved giving him to their mother as a gift!
The bathroom door opened, and Ashley emerged wearing a strappy nightgown, her hair still damp. Though her injuries had healed considerably, faint marks from the whipping remained visible on her fair skin—scars that would take time to fade completely.
Ethan glanced her way casually but found himself transfixed. There was something hauntingly beautiful about her—vulnerable yet resilient—that made his heart race with both tenderness and desire.
Noticing Ethan in the room, Ashley became visibly self-conscious. "Ethan, you're back from work?"
"Yes." His eyes remained fixed on her, watching as droplets of water slid from her hair down her cheek to her collarbone and beyond.
Her unconscious allure made his throat tighten and his blood run hot.
"Pearl," he said, his voice husky, "sit down and let me dry your hair before you catch cold."
"That's not necessary," Ashley protested. "I can manage myself..."
Before she could finish, Ethan had already crossed the room and gently guided her to a chair.
Their reflections stared back at them in the mirror—her expression shy, his lips curled in a subtle smile.
His long fingers moved through her hair, each touch sparking between them, making both their hearts flutter.
Ashley cautiously raised her eyes, stealing glances at Ethan through the mirror.
Suddenly, he caught her gaze. Embarrassed at being discovered, she quickly looked down, her face flushing crimson.
Ethan smiled. "Pearl, why are you blushing? Are you too warm?" He placed his palm against her forehead to check her temperature.
"I'm not hot," Ashley stammered. "You're standing too close."
With a mischievous grin, Ethan leaned closer to her ear. "Why do you get flustered so easily, Pearl?"
"I'm not flustered! It's just... the hair dryer is making me warm."
"Oh? Didn't you just say you weren't hot?"
Ethan raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying her excuse.
Caught in her own contradiction, Ashley bit her lower lip, at a loss for words.
Seeing her discomfort, Ethan broke into hearty laughter.
Ashley's hair was silky smooth, carrying the sweet fragrance of shampoo. Ethan inhaled the scent while running his fingers through it, so absorbed that he didn't notice when her hair was completely dry.
"That's enough," Ashley finally said. "My hair's dry now. You should go shower."
"Alright."
Ethan grabbed a set of pajamas and headed to the bathroom.
Ashley thought about how she'd just bathed in the same space, and her cheeks flushed again.
"Mommy, come to bed!" the boys called.
"Coming."
Ashley joined them, with the children cuddling up on either side of her.
"Mommy, tell us a story," they pleaded.
"Let me tell you about..."
Ashley began narrating a bedtime story in a gentle voice as the children listened, captivated.
When Ethan emerged from his shower, he was greeted by this heartwarming scene—a woman tenderly telling stories to her enraptured children. For a moment, they looked exactly like the perfect family living a simple, contented life.
Nate and Andy spotted their father. "Mommy, Daddy's finished his shower. Can you help dry his hair? We're getting sleepy."
Ethan played along. "Yes, Pearl, would you mind?"
Ashley blushed again. "Not at all."
They moved to the vanity table where Ashley began drying Ethan's hair. He closed his eyes, visibly enjoying the moment. Neither spoke, creating a perfect atmosphere between them.
Nate watched his parents and suppressed a giggle.
Andy shot him a meaningful look, and Nate immediately understood.
He ran to get two glasses of juice. "Daddy, Mommy, I made these for you. Let's all have a drink and then go to sleep, okay?"
Ethan thought to himself, 'So this is the children's surprise for their mother? What thoughtful kids.'
He affectionately patted Nate's head. "Thank you, that's very sweet of you."
Taking both glasses, he handed one to Ashley. "The children made this for us. We should at least try it."
"Thank you, Nate," Ashley said, accepting her glass.
She took several sips while Ethan only managed one before furrowing his brow. Was it just his imagination, or did this "fruit juice" taste suspiciously like wine?
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