Ethan, having vented his feelings, gently caresses the healed scars on her back, recalling the feeling of almost losing her these past days, and involuntarily tightens his embrace.
"Jane... Can you be obedient from now on?"
However, Jane Sullivan gently shakes her head, her voice weak, "Uncle, the obedient Jane died the moment you sold her to someone else."
"What can I do to make you forgive me?" Ethan's chin rubs against her neck, never before so patiently coaxing anyone.
"Uncle, divorce me, and I'll forgive you."
"Never!"
Abruptly standing up, without wiping away his tears, he picks up a bathrobe and puts it on, "Jane Sullivan, don't be too presumptuous!"
Hearing the bathroom door close, Jane Sullivan's body slowly slips into the water, a self-mocking smile on her lips, "It was you who didn't want to marry me at first, you who couldn't wait to get rid of me, you who said I was unworthy. You've said it all, I should have satisfied you by now, but I have just this small request, and you call me presumptuous. Ethan, do you think you are an ancient king? That I should listen to everything you say? Ridiculous!"
...
After the water cools, Jane Sullivan sits in a bathrobe behind the door, with no intention of going out.
In the mirror, her face is flushed, her neck covered in kiss marks.
Jane Sullivan can hardly imagine the scene from before, not even undressed before Ethan... She can't help but beat her head!
That night at the Shore Flower was because she was drugged; she could at least argue. But what about this time?
Jane Sullivan has thought it through these past few days; she can't change her mind about divorce just because she slept with Ethan.
Facing a player like Ethan, if she gives her true feelings, she'll only lose terribly.
He's only interested in her young body for now. Who knows, one day he might get tired of her and sell her at the Shore Flower or give her to another man.
So, what she needs to do now is control her heart, even if she once loved this man, she needs to slowly drive him out of her heart.
...
Jane Sullivan ponders how to make Ethan tired of her, forgetting the man is still outside.
Outside, Ethan, drying his hair, tries the door only to find it locked from inside by Jane Sullivan.
Not planning to come out? Stay in there all night?
He was initially angry about Jane Sullivan and Ken being together, but recalling her response just now, his anger dissipated.
The news about her and Justin had already been ordered off all websites a week ago.
What's left is to find the ID of the person who uploaded the photos and deliberately created public opinion.
Seeing it's already 2 a.m. and the woman in the bathroom shows no sign of coming out, Ethan, in a hurry, picks up the remote, unlocks the door, and enters.
Jane Sullivan is asleep, leaning against the bathtub.
Seeing her peaceful sleeping face and the frown on her forehead, it seems she's still worried in her sleep.
The kiss marks on her neck remind Ethan of his recent disregard for her feelings.
Without hesitation, he picks Jane Sullivan up and takes her back to the bed, pulling back the covers and lying down with her, trying to convey some warmth.
As sleepiness overwhelms him, Ethan can't fall asleep peacefully.
His mind is full of Ken's smirking, mocking smile.
Annoying, so damn annoying!
...
The next day.
Morning sunlight filters through the curtain gaps onto the bed. Jane Sullivan feels the light in her eyes, burying her head in the covers, not wanting to open her eyes.
Every cell in her body screams for sleep.
When her phone vibrates, she habitually reaches for it beside her pillow, but it's not there. She continues searching to no avail.
Annoyed that the noise is disrupting her sleep, Jane Sullivan sits up, ready to complain, but freezes mid-sentence.
"It's for me."
Ethan, just finished washing his hair, dries it while reminding Jane Sullivan to throw him the phone.
Seeing the marks on his neck, the events of last night replay in Jane Sullivan's mind, making her ears heat up.
She throws the phone at Ethan, covers herself with the blanket, and goes back to sleep.
"Hmm, I'll take her back in a few days."
"Tell Sweetie not to worry."
Sweetie?
Jane Sullivan immediately throws off the covers and sits up.
After the call, Ethan places the phone on the bedside table, "Your sister-in-law said Sweetie hasn't been able to contact you and is worried. Call her when you have time."
Jane Sullivan reaches for his phone to call Doreen back.
Just as she touches it, it vibrates again, displaying "Xuan'er" on the screen.
Her fingertips tremble, "I'll contact Sweetie after I buy a new phone, you answer it."
Seeing it's Joanne calling, Ethan walks over to pick it up, sliding to reject.
Then he hands it to her, "Call now."
"No need, I'll contact her later."
After speaking, she turns to get out of bed.
But as she turns, Ethan firmly grips her shoulder, "Uncle! Can't you stop being so controlling! I said I'll contact her later, don't push me!"
As the phone vibrates again with "Xuan'er" flashing on the screen, Jane Sullivan chuckles, "Answer it, everyone in North City knows Miss Joanne is your close friend, Uncle. No fear of me misunderstanding."
She doesn't care to misunderstand.
Watching Jane Sullivan enter the bathroom, Ethan sees Joanne's name flashing on the screen and reluctantly answers.
"Ethan... I'm in so much pain... What should I do... It hurts so much..."
Hearing Joanne's pained moans, Ethan immediately discards the towel and heads to the closet, "Xuan'er, what's wrong? Where does it hurt?"
"My foot, it's really painful..."
"I'll be right there, wait for me."
Hearing Ethan say "I'll be right there," Jane Sullivan accidentally sprains her ankle getting up, "Ouch..." it hurts...
She leans on the washbasin, enduring the pain.
Hearing the noise from the bathroom, Ethan, already dressed, rushes in, "Jane, what happened?"
"It's nothing, just sprained my ankle, a little rubbing will do."
Ethan leans in to kiss her forehead, "I'll have Wenhang send a doctor."
"Okay." She nods, her face always with a smile. "I understand, go ahead, Uncle."
Seeing the smile on Jane Sullivan's face, Ethan feels a sting in his heart, but he has no choice but to go see Joanne.
"I'll be back soon."