Chapter 168 Ethan Became Afraid
When Jasmine got home, she found Justin and Casey playing with mud in the living room. The scene before her was a bit surprising—Justin was actually getting along with Casey.
“Mommy!” Justin saw Jasmine and joyfully called out to her.
Casey, feeling a little guilty, bowed his head and edged toward the couch. In the past, he disliked Justin and his mom, thinking they were thieves, and had said many unpleasant things. Despite being a kid, even he knew shame.
“What’s with Casey?” Jasmine asked her son.
Justin whispered in her ear, “Mommy, Casey’s dad doesn't want him anymore, so dad brought him home to play with me."
Jasmine was taken aback.
Rubbing Justin’s head, Jasmine walked over and squatted next to Casey. “Well, you guys have a good time. I’ll make something delicious. What would you like to eat, Casey?”
Casey stared blankly at Jasmine. He was slightly envious at the fact that someone else's mom could be so gentle.
“Aunty, can I have ribs and pumpkin with egg yolk?” Casey asked, still sitting on the floor.
“You have quite the taste. Whatever you want to eat, I'll make,” Ethan said, having changed into his house clothes. He came over, picked up Casey by his overalls, and moved him aside as he was in the way.
Casey pouted. “Uncle, Justin is also in the way, why don’t you pick him up?”
Ethan glanced at Justin and then back at Casey. Even though they were both kids, he had a soft spot for Justin.
Adults were indeed hypocrites.
“Because he is…” Ethan's words trailed off, unsure on how to answer Casey.
“Because Casey, you're wearing overalls, making it easy to lift you up,” Jasmine cut Ethan off, concerned his words might hurt the child.
After all, Casey’s dad was not exactly a model parent. If Ethan was too protective of Justin, it would surely upset Casey.
“Aunty, can you really make ribs?” Casey was starting to like Jasmine.
“Yes,” Jasmine responded, ruffling Casey’s hair, then stood up to head to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
Ethan raised an eyebrow and followed into the kitchen to help out.
“Mr. Ethan…” Jasmine was a bit anxious; Ethan always made a mess whenever he helped in the kitchen.
“It’s off the clock, stop addressing me like that,” Ethan leaned on the kitchen counter, lazily reminding her.
"Ethan, why don't you go play with the kids?" Jasmine really didn't want him messing things up.
"And get myself dirty by playing with mud?" Ethan frowned.
"Pfft!" Jasmine couldn't help but laugh out loud, then, fearing Ethan's reaction, she bit her lip, trying to suppress her amusement.
The thought of Ethan, the typically aloof CEO, playing with two toddlers in the dirt was a comical contrast. If someone captured that scene and posted it online, it would surely go viral.
"How many times do I need to wash the ribs?" Ethan offered to help Jasmine clean the meat.
"Make sure to use disposable gloves." Jasmine handed him a pair.
Ethan stretched out his hands, wanting Jasmine to help him put them on.
With her head lowered and cheeks flushed red, Jasmine helped him with the gloves.
Ethan quietly watched Jasmine as she earnestly assisted him, smiling slightly at the scene.
"Mr. Ethan... I mean, Ethan, just wash them three times until there's no bloody water," Jasmine said softly, her ears blushing fiercely.
Ethan nodded, diligently learning the process of washing the ribs. He discovered that engaging in household chores could also bring him joy.
Watching Ethan prepare the food, Jasmine arranged the vegetables beside him, feeling a warm sensation inside her heart.
But with this happiness came a creeping sense of fear.
She was afraid of becoming too comfortable in this warm bubble; it would be devastating if Ethan left.
"Is this okay?" Like a curious child, Ethan kept asking Jasmine.
With a gentle smile, Jasmine nodded tenderly. "Mhm."
"Start by filling the pot with cold water," Jasmine instructed as she placed the ribs inside, ensuring she included Ethan in the cooking process.
"I'll cook for you next time," Ethan said earnestly.
Jasmine was surprised that Ethan was actually interested in cooking. That was indeed rare.
If Harper ended up marrying him, she would certainly be a happy wife, having a husband who could cook.
Abruptly, Jasmine grew quiet, her gaze dropping with a hint of sorrow.
"Jasmine, can you be sure that it was Henry that night, six years ago?" Ethan inhaled deeply, asking quietly.
Jasmine's fingers stiffened momentarily, nearly burning herself. "No... I'm not sure. I've forgotten."
She was both scared and in denial.
Just the mention of that night seemed to alter Jasmine's whole demeanor.
"Jasmine, about that night..." Ethan wanted to understand her perspective on the events of that evening.
"Ah!" Suddenly, Jasmine's hand touched the edge of the pot, burning her finger and she recoiled in alarm.
"Jasmine, are you okay?" Ethan instinctively wanted to check on Jasmine's burn.
"Don't touch me!" Jasmine exclaimed, slapping Ethan away, her reddened eyes filled with terror and apologies. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..."
She tried to run off.
"Jasmine... You didn't choose Henry but agreed to team up with me—is it because Henry was the one who hurt you that night?" Ethan asked, his voice tense and filled with anxiety.
"Yes..." Jasmine nodded with her eyes still glistening. "I can't escape the prison within my own mind, unable to forget the pain of that night... that's why I can't forgive Henry, nor can I bear his proximity."
Just the thought of that night engulfed her in fear and revulsion. "I can't even bear the touch of a man..." Jasmine's fingers trembled uncontrollably at the mere mention of it.
Ethan's grip on Jasmine's wrist grew icy.
If Justin was truly his son, it meant that due to a drunken mistake, entering the wrong room on the wrong floor, he was the one who harmed Jasmine that night. Six years had passed, and he had magnified that damage for six long years.
Henry's desire to use Justin as a means to bind Jasmine to him blinded him to the extent of the harm he caused her that night. However, his plans were foiled by her fear of him.
Nonetheless, if it was truly him that harmed her that night, Ethan dared not contemplate further.
If Jasmine learned the truth, knowing her nature, she would shun him completely and might even end up cooperating with Henry.
Taking a deep breath, Ethan pretended to be calm as he washed Jasmine's hands under the cold water.
He had always considered himself a composed person, never panicking in the face of trouble or regretting his actions. But now, he was filled with such regret that he could slap himself.
He couldn't help but think about what could have possibly happened, wondering why he had left early after sobering up that night six years ago.
Not even bothering to see who she was, not even trying to find her immediately, to hold onto her, to atone…
At that time, he had thought he was set up, so filled with disgust and anger once sober, he didn't want to know who the other person was.
But in every day that followed, he lived in self-reproach. So much so, that when Liam found out that the woman might be Harper, he had offered major concessions to the Brown's family business.
Ethan's gaze darkened and his mood turned colder.
If it was Jasmine that night, it meant that Harper had been deceiving him all along.
Impersonating, lying, making him miss Jasmine for so long.
Damn it all.
"Does it hurt?" Ethan asked softly.
Jasmine shook her head. "No, it doesn't hurt. Why don't you step out for a bit? I can manage on my own," Jasmine said, desiring some solitude and hinting for Ethan to leave the kitchen.
Feeling guilty, Ethan obediently excused himself. His heart was racing with intense anxiety, his emotions a complicated tangle of hope and dread. He hoped desperately that Justin was his son, yet he also prayed that he wasn't the man who had hurt Jasmine that fateful night.
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