Anastasia screamed in amazement and angrily shoved the person beside her.
But then she heard a familiar voice. "Anastasia, it's me."
She immediately looked up, tears in her eyes, to see that the man was none other than Ethan.
Anastasia sobbed and clutched Ethan firmly as tears streamed down her cheeks, eventually soaking Ethan's clothes. She was so relieved to see Ethan in front of her. She was devastated when she knew Ethan was left in the gambling den and asked her dad to go home first.
Ethan was at a loss for words, especially after feeling Anastasia's warm tears slip into his clothing. "Anastasia, what's wrong? "Shouldn't your father already be home?"
"You... It's wonderful that you're back! Dad merely told me you were beaten to death, which worried me so much..." Anastasia put her head in Ethan' chest and sobbed. She was only relieved and at ease when she felt his heartbeat.
Ethan was surprised for a second before realizing that Anastasia had rushed out quickly because she was concerned for his safety. He felt satisfied knowing this.
A warm pulse flowed through his heart. He gently touched her shoulder and softly said, "Don't worry. I was in the army for several years. Such a situation will not be too difficult for me."
Anastasia remembered what Ethan had told her earlier. Ethan was quite powerful today, and regular hooligans could not touch him. She was just terribly concerned about him, and Ethan was all she thought about in her state of terror. She is distressful knowing Ethan is not with her dad when dad reached home.
When Anastasia realized she was still tightly embracing Ethan, she let go as if shocked and took two steps back. Her face reddened, and she felt pretty timid and humiliated.
Ethan smiled and felt touched by her concern.
But the next second, he scowled because he noticed she was strolling on the cement road without shoes, exposing her snow-white feet.
"Why aren't you wearing shoes?" Ethan inquired in a low voice.
"Ah!" Anastasia lowered her head, realizing she had run out of the house barefoot and was now walking on the cold, rough concrete street.
Her shiny toes curled upward. Anastasia was timid, ashamed, and unsure of what to say.
Ethan understood how she felt and was deeply moved.
He reached out his arms and grabbed Anastasia up.
Anastasia was caught off guard and screamed. "What are you doing?!" Please hurry up and put me down. "What if someone sees us?"
Her face reddened, and she shoved Ethan's arms. She appeared embarrassed and full of complaints, and she didn't realize how nervous she had grown as her pulse rate soared rapidly. But she wasn't angry at all.
Ethan smiled sweetly and added, "It's fine. You need to wear shoes, so walking is difficult for you. We'll be home soon. Just hold on tight to me, ok?"
"Anastasia!" Charlotte exclaimed from behind, her expression concerned. She was carrying a jacket and shoes and had pursued Anastasia.
Charlotte was surprised to see Ethan and cried, "Ethan!" You're back, too! Great!"
Only then did Charlotte discover Ethan was carrying Anastasia in a bridal style. She couldn't help but seem shocked. She was somewhat as if she wanted to laugh or cry at how Ethan carried Anastasia.
Anastasia was already uneasy with Ethan holding her in his arms. But now that her sister had come across them, she felt even more embarrassed. She fought and insisted on Ethan putting her down.
"Charlotte, glad you're here. Quickly pass my shoes to me."
"O-oh!" Charlotte quickly handed over the shoes, but Ethan took them away.
Ethan did not embarrass Anastasia by putting her down before squatting and placing the shoes on the ground.
Anastasia hurriedly slipped on her shoes, but Ethan stopped her, softly saying, "Don't move."
He then grasped her ankle and wiped the dirt from her sole with his sleeve. He only then helped her put on the shoes.
Ethan was serious and sensitive as if he were handling a valuable jewel, which made Anastasia's heart skip a beat. She parted her lips but didn't know what to say. She was astonished with how Ethan showed his affection to her.
Standing to the side, Charlotte gazed at Ethan, crouching on the ground and gently cleaning away dirt with envy. How she wished she could find such a man and marry her too!
When the three returned inside, they saw Claudia and Charles in a violent dispute, unsurprisingly caused by Charles's debt.
"Charles Reed!" I really cannot live with you longer. You're usually a lazy person who only eats and sleeps. You also require constant service from me. But you've started gambling behind my back! You ended up losing hundreds of thousands of dollars. "You intend to bankrupt us, don't you?" You cursed loser, you deserve to be hit by lightning! What did I do to end my marriage to a loser like you? Oh my God, why don't you die outside?!" Claudia spite.
Claudia was furious that Charles had gotten himself into hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt behind her back. She'd have to bear it, too, because they were married! She was outraged at being implicated by him! She was not aware that Ethan had already paid the debt.
Let's get a divorce! I can't take another minute with you! "Let's divorce right away!" Claudia yelled.
Charles was highly offended by her scolding and exclaimed in frustration, "You bitch, all you do is chastise me! I'm alright now. Your constant scolding and yelling are the cause of my bad luck! Do you desire a divorce? Go ahead. Who is afraid? If I divorce you, I might get lucky! "You'll regret it then!"
They were arguing nonstop when Charlotte, Anastasia, and Ethan entered.
Charles was taken aback when he saw Ethan was unharmed, with no missing limbs or bruises. But he quickly turned around in wrath, not wanting to cope with this son-in-law who refused to listen to him.
Claudia, too, was surprised. She murmured, "Didn't you say that good-for-nothing had already died? Why is he back again? What happened back there? Huh?
"I can't get rid of him!"
Anastasia was furious when she saw her parents' reaction. Charlotte was also upset because she felt Ethan had been unfairly treated.
A BMW pulled up in front of their house, and three people got out. The three of them walked in when the door was open.
Claudia was quite irritated. When she saw the newcomers enter, she yelled angrily, "Who are you people?
Can't you see that this is someone's home? Hurry and get lost!"
Charles's heart was about to stop beating as he saw who had entered. He paled, and his legs turned to jelly.
When he heard Claudia's scolding again, he nearly peed in his pants from fear. He raised his hand and slapped her. "Shut up!" "You must have a death wish. Don't spout nonsense or you will be the death of me."