CHAPTER 161: CHAPTER 161: MEMORY EPISODE (61)

Florence Fuller looked at him, unsure whether to be angry or laugh: "Go home? Do you really plan to coax me in bed after going back, Ethan Harper? You know full well that’s not why I’m mad."

"I know," he said.

"You know?" Florence laughed in exasperation.

Ethan Harper approached her and lowered his head, "Florence, indeed, something unpleasant happened in France. I’m conflicted, and I don’t know what to do."

Florence blinked, and the man in front of her seemed to reveal a vulnerable look at that moment. After a long, silent standoff, Florence sighed, "Let’s go home."

Starlight Residence.

Florence walked in, changed her shoes, tossed the book she brought back onto the foyer cabinet, and headed towards the living room.

Ethan tidied up the scattered books and saw Florence already downing a glass of water on the bar floor.

"Are you hungry? I’ll cook something."

"No need, let’s order takeout. I’m craving seafood."

Ethan nodded, "I’ll make the call."

After drinking the water in the glass, Florence looked at his tall, slender back, feeling that he seemed a bit desolate and heavy.

She tightened the grip on her cup, her gaze complex, ultimately turning into a silent sigh.

Ethan said, "Yes, no onions or garlic, spicy. Please as soon as possible, thank you."

As he just hung up the phone, a pair of hands wrapped around his waist, a warm body against his back, Ethan held Florence’s hands.

"Forget it, I won’t ask anymore." Florence pressed against his back, rubbing her eyes closed.

The future still stretched long ahead; all uncertain factors could emerge. Florence felt she might not be able to see the end that easily.

She didn’t want to worry anymore whether the two of them would part ways or stay together in the future; perhaps what she should do now was focus on the time they still shared.

Ethan turned around, hugged her, and kissed the top of her head affectionately, "I’m sorry."

"No, I hate apologies," Florence pressed against his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat.

"I..." Ethan looked down at her, "Florence, I hope you understand, I won’t give up on you."

"I know," she closed her eyes, "Even if you’re silent, I won’t ask. Just let me hold you for a bit."

A silence filled the room until Ethan’s voice spoke out, "I’ll sort it out. Wait for me."

"You’re worried," Florence looked at him, "Worried about me, right?"

Ethan said nothing.

"Worried that I’ll have another incident? Just like last time when I was suddenly blocked by people and fell into a coma."

Ethan’s fingertips trembled.

He had no idea when Arthur Harper would act again, or what kind of crisis Florence might face.

He couldn’t afford to gamble.

And he was also terrified.

"Don’t worry." The girl’s warm lips pressed against his to comfort him, "Ethan Harper, I’ll be fine."

Ethan gently bit her lip, "No matter what happens in the future, wherever you go, make sure to tell me first."

"Okay."

___

The divorce proceedings between Abigail Monrose and a Harper family member were starting to progress. Years of entanglement and a massive fortune made handling these matters exceptionally complicated.

Her trips to France became more frequent, and she spent longer periods there.

"Although the divorce isn’t easy, you should rest assured. Your dad won’t do anything to me." Abigail looked at Ethan, "I won’t let him harm Florence either, rest assured."

Today, Florence and Ethan accompanied Abigail to the airport. Hearing Abigail’s words, Florence went up and hugged her, "Aunt Monrose, come back soon."

"I will," Abigail patted her, "Now that you’re on break, spend good time with Ethan. I won’t allow Harper family matters to harm you anymore, Aunt Monrose promises."

"It’s okay," Florence looked at her, "Being with Ethan, we face everything together. I won’t back down."

Abigail’s eyes quivered, "Good child."

Ethan stepped forward and held Florence’s hand.

"I’m off," Abigail checked the time and began to bid farewell.

"If he’s still unwilling to sign, there’s no need to keep dragging on, fighting a lawsuit is troublesome, but it’s not impossible to succeed. Mom, at least you have me," Ethan looked at Abigail seriously.

Florence added, "And me, Aunt Monrose."

Abigail’s eyes gradually moistened, and she stepped forward to hug both of them, "Alright, if he’s unwilling this time, I’ll pursue the legal route."

After sending off Abigail, Florence and Ethan walked out of the airport.

"Your dad, he seems quite awful," Florence remarked with feeling.

Ethan held her hand, "She is a good wife, a good mother, but my father, he doesn’t deserve someone as good as her."

From the moment he had memories, scenes of his parents in love were rare in his recollections.

Arthur Harper’s stringent upbringing caused Abigail’s strong dissatisfaction, but her protests had no effect on that domineering father.

Later, one day when he was getting older, a woman brought a boy about his age to their home.

It was the only time he saw gentle Abigail fly into a rage.

Ethan was kept out of it.

He didn’t know what happened or how it was handled, but that day, Abigail and Arthur even came to blows.

The next day, Ethan found a fragment in a corner of the living room sofa.

On it were the words "divorce agreement."

He continued to bear the burden of becoming who his father valued, although Abigail returned to her former self, Ethan could feel that his mother was exhausted.

After that car accident, he lost his value in Arthur Harper’s eyes, and Abigail gave up completely on her husband, taking him away from the Harper family forever.

They left that house, which was not a home.

"Mm...smile a bit." Florence stood on tiptoes, cupping his face with both hands, "It’s okay; good days lie ahead."

Ethan allowed her to hold his face, gazing at her softly.

Florence met his eyes, smiling, "Do you want to say something?"

Ethan looked at her with deep, tender affection, "Do you love me?"

Such a straightforward question made Florence’s heart skip a beat, a sudden warmth flooding her cheeks, "I do."

Ethan smiled, as if liberated from the heavy memories he had just recalled, "See, I’m smiling."

Florence held back a laugh, playfully slapped his chest, "Let’s head home."

Ethan followed her closely, the smile on his face growing more apparent.

___

Lately, Florence hasn’t been in the best mood.

Her investment went bust.

Starting from when Michael Fuller gave her a card for pocket money, she began her "extravagant spending."

Buying expensive bags and jewelry, then converting them into money to invest in her business ventures.

Only to find out, it all vanished!

When Ethan finished his work and came home, the girl slumped on the sofa with a gloomy expression, an empty wine bottle already in front of her.

"You’re back."

She glanced at Ethan indifferently, then drank a mouthful of wine forlornly.