Ethan awoke early the next morning, his mind already preoccupied with plans for the day. The Villainess Wife Pampering System had given him a clear goal: restore the Rowe estate and, by extension, help Amara rediscover the joy and freedom she had lost.
As he sipped his coffee in the grand but eerily empty dining hall, Ethan opened the system interface, scrolling through the rewards store.
System Store:
Skill: Landscaping Design - 500 Points
Skill: Architectural Planning - 600 Points
Item: Rare Orchid Sapling - 200 Points
Blueprint: Luxury Estate Restoration - 1,000 Points
Ethan frowned slightly at the steep costs but quickly dismissed the concern. He had accumulated enough points from recent tasks, and this project was worth the investment.
Purchase: Luxury Estate Restoration Blueprint - 1,000 Points
Deducting points...
Item added to inventory.
The blueprint unfolded in his mind like a holographic map, detailing every possible renovation and improvement. Ethan smirked. "Time to breathe life back into this place."
Amara found him in the garden an hour later, studying the dilapidated fountain. She crossed her arms, her brows furrowed in suspicion. "What are you doing?"
Ethan glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "Restoring it."
Her eyes widened. "Restoring the fountain?"
"The entire estate," he clarified, gesturing around them. "The gardens, the mansion, everything. This place deserves to be as beautiful as it once was."
Amara hesitated, her gaze flickering between Ethan and the overgrown vines creeping up the walls. "Why? This isn't your home."
"It's ours," Ethan said simply. "And I want it to be a place where you can feel at peace again."
For a moment, Amara didn't know how to respond. She had spent so many years being ignored or dismissed, her wants and needs seen as irrelevant. Yet here was Ethan, offering her something she hadn't dared to hope for—a chance to reclaim what was taken from her.
"How do you plan to do it?" she asked finally, her tone softer.
"I have my methods," Ethan replied cryptically. "But I'll need your input. This is your childhood home, after all."
Amara tilted her head, studying him. "You're serious about this."
"Completely."
A small smile tugged at her lips, and Ethan felt a surge of satisfaction.
Ding!
Amara's Emotional Update: Hopeful Curiosity
Current Mood: Cautiously Optimistic.
Reward: 300 Pampering Points.
Ethan's smirk deepened. "I take it you approve?"
"I suppose I'll allow it," she said, her tone teasing. "But don't expect me to help you dig up weeds."
By midday, Ethan had contacted a renowned restoration team, leveraging his wealth and influence to secure immediate work on the estate. Plans were drawn up, and workers began clearing the overgrown gardens and inspecting the mansion's structure.
Amara watched the flurry of activity from the balcony, her expression a mix of disbelief and tentative excitement. Ethan joined her, leaning casually against the railing.
"You've been watching them for hours," he observed.
"It's...strange," Amara admitted. "I never thought I'd see this place come alive again."
"It's only the beginning," Ethan said. "When it's finished, I want you to feel like you belong here—not as a prisoner, but as its mistress."
Her cheeks flushed at his words, and she quickly looked away. "You're making it sound grander than it is."
"It is grand," Ethan countered. "Just like you."
Amara's breath caught, but she quickly masked her reaction. "You're surprisingly poetic for someone so ruthless."
Ethan chuckled. "I have my moments."
That evening, they shared dinner together in the dining hall, the atmosphere lighter than it had been in days. Amara even laughed—a soft, musical sound that Ethan realized he wanted to hear more of.
As the evening wound down, Ethan escorted her to her room. At the door, she paused, glancing at him hesitantly.
"Thank you," she said quietly. "For everything you're doing."
Ethan met her gaze, his voice steady. "You're worth it, Amara. Never doubt that."
Her eyes softened, and for a moment, Ethan thought she might say more. But she simply nodded and stepped inside, closing the door behind her.
Ding!
Task Progress: Restore the Rowe Estate (15%)
Additional Reward Unlocked: Amara's Trust +500 Pampering Points.
Ethan leaned against the wall, a small smile playing on his lips. Slowly but surely, he was breaking through her walls. And he wasn't going to stop until she felt safe, loved, and free.
End of Chapter 17