After dinner, the dining room gradually grew quiet. The clinking of cutlery was replaced by the soft rustle of the staff clearing the table. Light footsteps echoed through the grand hallway as the evening came to a calm end.
Ian stood up first. He gave a casual nod to everyone. "Good night," he said, and disappeared upstairs without waiting for a reply.
Abigail slowly pushed back her chair and rose to her feet. Her legs wobbled slightly. Ow… she winced inwardly. She tried not to show it, but her feet throbbed from wearing them all day.
Emily noticed and rushed to her side with a cheerful grin. "Let's get you upstairs before your feet stage a rebellion." She gently hooked her arm around Abigail's. But just as they turned to leave, a calm, firm voice echoed behind them.
"Wait."
Emily stopped mid-step. "Yes, sir?"
"I'll take her upstairs," Ethan said, his tone cold and flat. "You're dismissed."
Emily blinked, stunned, but then nodded immediately. "Of course. Good night, Miss Abigail. Mr. Blackwell." She gave Abigail's arm a small, reassuring squeeze and walked away.
Now it was just the two of them. The hallway suddenly felt much larger and far too silent. Abigail's heart raced, and her palms began to sweat. Why does it feel like I've just been handed over to a lion?
The memory of earlier, when he caught her in his arms, flashed in her mind. Her cheeks burned, and she couldn't help but fidget with the hem of her blouse, unsure of what to say, or do, or think. His dominating presence enveloped her like a bubble, making her slightly breathless.
Ethan watched her. His gaze was sharp and assessing. But when he noticed her shiver and tremble, his brows furrowed. "Am I a monster?" he asked dryly, raising an eyebrow. "Why are you acting like I'm about to eat you?"
Abigail's head snapped up, surprised. She hadn't expected him to joke—if that was a joke. Even Ethan seemed caught off guard by his own words. His brows knit together for a brief second, as if wondering why he even cared.
"I mean," he corrected, clearing his throat and looking away, "you don't need to be so nervous. I'm not that terrifying."
"I-It's not you," she stammered, flustered. "I just… I don't know how to act around you."
"Then act normal," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "You'll need to get used to my presence. You're acting as my wife now."
Abigail nodded slowly. Right, she was his pretend wife now. Just as she opened her mouth to respond, he said, "My grandfather wants to speak to you. Now."
She froze in place. "Right now?"
"Yes. He's asking questions about Vanessa. If you avoid him, he might start suspecting something."
Her hands clenched as panic flared in her chest. "But… I'm not ready. I thought I'd get more time. More practice. What if I mess up? What if he realizes I'm not her?"
Ethan looked at her calmly. "Then it's over."
Her breath caught in her throat.
"But," he added, his voice firm but not unkind, "you won't mess up. I have seen your training. Just be natural. Don't overthink."
She swallowed hard and nodded slowly. Yes, this was her first test. She could not mess this up. She asked a few more questions regarding Venssa, his grandfather, and their relationship to Ethan. He answered her calmly and as much as he knew.
"Is there anything I should be extra careful about?" she asked.
He nodded, but then remembered she couldn't see. "Yes," he said out loud. "When you talk about me, make sure you scold me."
She blinked, "What?"
"Vanessa never had anything nice to say about me in front of him. If you act too polite, he'll know something's off," he explained.
Abigail shifted uncomfortably. "But… but I've never scolded anyone before."
That made Ethan pause. His brows rose slightly, surprised. His day didn't pass without scolding anyone, and this girl said she had never scolded anyone in her entire life. It was simply unbelievable!
"Never?"
She blushed. "I mean, I've been scolded a lot. But me? I have never scolded anyone. I don't even know how."
"You've never raised your voice? Not even once?"
She bit her lips, "Well… maybe once."
He tilted his head, intrigued. "At who?"
"…A vending machine," she mumbled.
Ethan blinked, intrigued. "And what did you say to it?"
Abigail's face turned crimson. "I called it a lying piece of metal."
For a second, Ethan just stared. Then the corners of his mouth twitched. What was this girl? How could she be so... so cute and adorable? She was so innocent and unlike any of the women he had ever seen.
"Alright then," he said, clearing his throat. "Try it on me. Now."
"Now?" she echoed, horrified.
"Yes. Come on. Practice."
Abigail stood still, then nodded. She thought of what she had heard in television dramas, angry aunties at the vegetable market, and her nosy, annoying neighbour. She straightened, turned toward his voice, and blurted: "You… you're insufferable! You walk around like the world owes you a red carpet just for breathing!"
Ethan blinked, speechless. Was that a scolding or praise?
When he didn't respond, she panicked, fidgeting with her fingers nervously. Her heart pounded faster and louder in her chest. This was the first time she had scolded anyone. Did she do it too much? Was he angry? Should she apologize?
"Was it too much?" she asked timidly.
"No," he said after a while. What she said was nothing. He had heard much worse. Infact, her words weren't even insulting to begin with. "Keep going."
She frowned again, digging deeper into her memory. "Fine. You… emotionally constipated ice statue! You should probably apologize to mirrors for being too handsome."
Ethan coughed, hiding the laugh that nearly escaped. Her face was dead serious. Her voice was soft but determined. It was the most harmless attack he'd ever received, and yet oddly endearing.
This was no insult. She was praising him.
"How do you know I'm handsome?" he asked, amusement now openly dancing in his voice.
"Aren't rich billionaires always handsome?" she asked honestly.
He snorted. "Who said that?"
"I don't know… TV?" she replied, shrugging slightly. "But I can tell. You're a very handsome man."
"Oh? How?"
Abigail didn't even hesitate. "Your voice is deadly attractive."
Ethan stared at her for a moment. A soft laugh escaped before he could stop it. "Deadly attractive, hmm?" he repeated, trying to keep his tone flat, but the corner of his mouth betrayed him.