Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Chapter Seven

Right before heading out, Carol stared at herself in the mirror, steeled her nerves, and pinched her neck hard, intentionally leaving a visible red mark.

Ethan frowned at her.

She winced and said, "It's for your mom. She'll ask questions."

Ethan didn't say a word, just gave her a long, unreadable look before turning around and heading downstairs.

Sure enough, when Carol followed after him, Grace spotted the mark on her neck and instantly lit up with satisfaction. She handed Carol a bank card right then and there and gleefully encouraged her, "Keep it up! If you hit the jackpot in one go, I will be extra generous with the next gift."

Carol held the card and forcefully smiled.

When the ceremony wrapped, the two left the old house. Jack drove her to work and dropped her off at the company entrance.

She had barely stepped out of the car when a sharp-eyed coworker called out, "Whoa, is that a Rolls-Royce? Carol, don't tell me that's the rich boyfriend of yours!"

Carol shook her head.

Even thinking about Ryan made her cringe-cheating scumbag. Disgusting.

The coworker clearly didn't care about her denial. Carol always looked stunning, so changing boyfriends daily wouldn't even surprise anyone.

She leaned closer, trying to peek inside. Though the windows were tinted, the crack in the front one was just enough to make out a sharp-featured profile. She gasped. "Damn, Carol, your new husband is hot!"

Carol's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly covered her friend's mouth. "Shh! Keep it low-key, alright? This is top-secret!"

The girl nodded seriously.

But by noon, it felt like the entire design department had the scoop-Carol had not only married rich, but the guy also looked like he walked straight out of a drama.

One coworker messaged her privately: "Wait what?! Carol, you're really married? That's one hell of a secret.

"But what about Philip Walker? He's been into you since your first day. This might crush him."

Carol replied without hesitation, "I was never into him. If this makes him move on, then good."

No sooner had she sent it than Philip messaged her directly.

[You really got married?]

[Yeah.]

[Not Ryan?]

[Nope.]

[You've known how I feel for all these years. Even after you broke up, you still didn't give me a shot? Does this guy even love you?]

Carol sighed.

[Philip, you can't force love. We won't work out as a couple, but we can still be friends or coworkers.]

His answer came fast.

[No. Love doesn't work like that. From the moment I fell for you, being 'just friends' stopped being an option. You're just using this marriage excuse to turn me down, aren't you? I don't believe you're married.]

Carol could only reply, [It all happened kinda suddenly. Otherwise, I'd have sent you an invite...]

After that, Philip didn't say anything else.

Carol finally relaxed a bit, but she couldn't help thinking about Ethan.

Love shouldn't be forced.

One-sided feelings never lead to mutual happiness.

But here she was, married to a man she didn't care for-and who didn't care for her either.

It sounded crazy when she really thought about it.

And Ryan, the one she used to think loved her most, turned out to be nothing but trash.

She figured things with Philip were done and dusted, but that evening, her co-workers decided to throw a dinner party and insisted she bring her "plus one."

Carol felt a little stuck. Ethan had already said from the start he wasn't interested in being public-just the fact that he hadn't blocked her was grace enough. How could she possibly convince him to show up?

So she made an excuse: "He's super swamped at work. Maybe next time."

Philip, who had been quiet till now, suddenly spoke up with a hint of disbelief, "You sure he even exists?"

The coworker who'd seen the side profile earlier immediately argued back, "No way! I saw it with my own eyes this morning..."

Philip Walker jumped in, staring at Carol. "Then let him pick you up after dinner. The weather app says there's gonna be a storm. It's not safe for you to go home alone. Don't tell me your husband wouldn't even come get you?"

Sensing the awkward vibe in the room, the others picked up on Philip's frustration and quickly tried to change the topic.

But when the dinner ended, the rain somehow got even worse.

Philip brought it up again, and this time someone else chimed in, "Carol, just call your husband. He should come pick you up."

"Yeah, seriously. It's pouring out there. Just have him come get you," one added before lowering their voice, "Might finally make Philip give up too."

Carol glanced at the buckets of rain coming down and hesitated. Not expecting anything from it, she sent Ethan a message: [Dinner just ended. It's raining hard and cabs are impossible to get. Could you ask Jack to swing by and pick me up? The address is... ]

She didn't expect a reply-just another message lost to the void.

She was just about to hail a ride herself when her phone lit up. To her surprise, Ethan's name popped across the screen.

Startled, she answered immediately.

His voice came through calm and low, hard to read: "Come out. I'm outside."

Stunned, Carol peeked out at the restaurant entrance. Sure enough, a sleek black Bentley sat waiting beyond the rain curtain.

As everyone stepped out, Jack was already hurrying over with an umbrella.

One of the coworkers tugged Carol's sleeve, whispering excitedly, "Is that your husband? He's got serious presence! So good-looking!"

Carol shook her head. "No, not him..."

Just then, Jack reached them, gave the group a mild smile, and turned the umbrella fully toward Carol with respectful ease. "Ma'am, Mr. Mitchell has been waiting for you."

"Guess I'm heading off," Carol said, nodding goodbye to her coworkers before walking toward the car under Jack's shield.

A trail of envious and curious stares followed in her wake.

Once inside, she finally saw the man beside her in his crisp suit and blinked. "You're actually here?"

She thought Jack was just putting on a show earlier. Didn't expect Ethan himself to show.

Ethan kept his eyes ahead, side profile sharp and unreadable. "Just passing by."

Carol looked at him, a knowing smirk tugging at her lips. "Oh, really? Riverton's massive. Mitchell Group's in the east, I work all the way west, and tonight's dinner was in the south. Some coincidence, huh?"

Ethan's gaze briefly flicked to her face-so full of mischief, eyes sparkling like stars. His heart gave a little jolt, but his tone stayed flat. "You caused a scene this morning. Own it."

Carol leaned in a bit, eyes twinkling. "Wow, you really are a plan-ahead kind of guy. Were you, perhaps, waiting here for me? Sounds like you care."

Ethan turned his head away, dodging her gaze. "Keep dreaming."

As she opened her mouth to fire back, a notification popped up-her phone buzzed.

It was a message from Philip: [Carol, truth be told, one of the main reasons I joined this company was for you. Now... I'm applying for a transfer. I really do hope you're happy.]

Ethan didn't even glance over, but clearly heard the buzz. He said evenly, "Sort your personal stuff out. I don't want to wake up one day and see headlines about the Mitchell Group's daughter-in-law flirting around and stirring gossip."

Carol shrugged, slipping her phone away like it was no big deal. "You're blaming me for being too charming. It's not my fault people get drawn to me."

She tilted her head, that sly smile back on her face. "Only question is, when will I charm you too?"

Ethan's Adam's apple moved slightly. He didn't respond, just stared harder out at the rain blurring the city.