CHAPTER 421: CHAPTER 421: AVOIDING HER

Ethan Sterling stepped in and changed his shoes, then turned around and was startled by the head that popped up from the sofa. Ruby Sullivan was squinting at him, seemingly having already taken a nap on the sofa.

He let out a long breath, "What are you doing here?"

"Where did you go?" Ruby Sullivan cleared her head a bit, knelt on the sofa with her arm draped over the back, tilting her head to look at him, still looking half-awake.

"Aidan Sinclair needed to talk to me." Ethan Sterling retracted his gaze and quickly walked toward the stairs, "I’m tired. Let’s talk about anything tomorrow." He was in a foul mood, unsure how to face her.

What could Ruby Sullivan possibly want to talk to him about? Probably just to tell him to keep his distance or not to provoke T. Right now, he didn’t want to listen or do anything under his uncontrolled emotions that would hurt her.

Ruby Sullivan was very dissatisfied with Ethan Sterling’s indifference and wanted to chase after him. But then she thought that it was likely Aidan Sinclair called him for work matters this late, so she suppressed her temper. At this hour, it was inappropriate to wake up Old Black to borrow a car from Ethan Sterling, not knowing if she could drive back safely either, so she decided to sleep here.

She yawned, hesitated for three seconds about borrowing clothes from Ethan Sterling or Cindy Sterling, and decisively chose the former.

Actually, she just wanted another look at Ethan Sterling, to see if he was so annoyed that he didn’t even want to speak to her.

When Ethan Sterling saw her, his eyebrows immediately knitted into a knot.

Before he could speak, Ruby Sullivan hurriedly explained, "My suitcase doesn’t have any clean clothes. I want to borrow an outfit from you to make do for the night."

Ethan Sterling stepped aside from the door upon hearing her, undressing his coat as he walked into the room.

Ruby Sullivan pursed her lips at his back, deciding it best not to push her luck. She turned into the dressing room, grabbed a sweatshirt and shorts, and left sheepishly.

This man definitely has a sour face dog temperament; he bites when he feels like it, humph!

After showering, Ruby Sullivan felt a bit hungry, so she went to the kitchen to cook some instant noodles. Once full, sleepiness washed over her again, so she hurried off to the guest room for some sleep.

Ethan Sterling finished his shower but lay awake in bed, not closing his eyes until dawn, half-awake and bleary.

When Ruby Sullivan arrived at the old house last night, the little ones were already asleep. In the morning, hearing from Vivian that their mother returned, they were so excited, they dashed to Ethan Sterling’s room, only to wake him shortly after he had finally fallen asleep.

Seeing Honey’s radiant smile, Ethan Sterling suppressed his looming discontent, forcing a smile as he patted his daughter’s head, "Daddy is a bit tired. Why don’t you go play with your brother?"

"Okay." Honey kissed her father on the forehead, then walked a few steps before doubling back to ask quietly, as if afraid to disturb him, "Where’s Mommy?"

"Mommy is playing hide-and-seek with you. Go check the rooms downstairs."

"Okay. Goodnight, Daddy." Honey happily left. Even though it was morning, if Daddy wanted to sleep, it meant saying goodnight.

Seth followed his sister out, thinking how he couldn’t possibly match his father’s knack for fooling his sister and how much he needed to practice.

It’s been days since Honey last saw Mom—no video calls either. She really wanted to nestle into her mother’s arms right away!

"Mommy, where are you? I’m coming to find you!" Honey stood with her hands on her hips in the hallway, shouting toward the rooms on the first floor, then began an enthusiastic search in the guest rooms.

Seth saw how earnestly his sister was playing and felt even more admiration for his father. This dad may falter in other things, but he’s top-notch at coaxing his sister!

Having been quite tired after her time abroad, Ruby Sullivan’s first reaction upon hearing her daughter’s voice was to think she was dreaming. Only upon thinking it over did she realize that she was back home, and as the sound of footsteps seemed to draw closer, she quickly got up and hid by the door.

Outside, Honey chuckled smugly, "This is the last room. Mommy, I’m coming in!" she said, opening the door only to find the bed covered with just a quilt.

She ran over, somewhat dumbfounded, confirming that it was just a quilt on the bed without Mommy, and she suddenly felt a bit down, poking at the quilt with her little hand, "Is Daddy tricking me?"

Ruby Sullivan only intended to play a small prank with her daughter, not expecting to disappoint her. Seeing her sad figure and hearing her mutter, her heart as a mother shattered instantly into pieces. Afraid to scare her, she whispered, "Silly girl, Mommy’s here!"

Honey, seeing her mother at the doorway, immediately beamed and ran over with open arms, "Mommy!"

Ruby Sullivan crouched down, waiting for her daughter’s flying hug, deliberately blowing air into her neck to tease her, "Did you miss Mommy?"

Honey laughed and drew her neck back while loudly replying, "I missed Mommy, I missed Mommy!"

In that instant, Ruby Sullivan felt that all the troubles between her and Ethan Sterling were nothing. With such an adorable daughter, life, no matter what, was full of happiness ahead.

After breakfast with the two little ones, seeing that Ethan Sterling hadn’t come downstairs yet, she went up to find him. As soon as he saw it was her, he closed his eyes again, "I’m very tired." Clearly indicating he didn’t want her to speak.

Ruby Sullivan couldn’t figure out what she did to offend him and wanted to go over to kick him, asking what he meant. But seeing his worn-out appearance, she swallowed all her impulses and left, huffing and slamming the door.

Last night, she picked and washed a set of clothes she liked, and after changing, she said goodbye to Vivian and Uncle, then left with the two kids.

Vivian specifically reminded her that the wedding date was set and that she needed to make sure she was free.

The wedding was scheduled for the end of April; there was still some time. Because Vivian loved cherry blossoms and some of Uncle’s friends were unable to travel abroad due to age, he booked an estate filled with cherry trees, waiting for the petals to fall to marry his beloved wife.

Ruby Sullivan specially saved the date in her phone. Watching the couple’s loving manner, she couldn’t help but feel a bit envious.

If not for that accident, she would have already been preparing for a wedding too, right?

On the way back, while Old Black was driving them, Ruby Sullivan took the opportunity to ask for his insight, "Did Ethan Sterling encounter something upsetting after returning to the country?"

"Not really, but when I picked him up yesterday, he didn’t look well."

"Do you know why Aidan Sinclair called him over?"

"No, it seems Mr. Sinclair didn’t mention it."

Ruby Sullivan pondered the way they conversed, realizing that her questions put Old Black in a tough spot.

Back home, she enjoyed a nice bath, laying in the tub, considering Ethan Sterling’s issues and when to find him, until she received a call from Aidan Sinclair.

Ruby Sullivan smiled, feeling like the call was divine providence, quickly pulled off her face mask, and answered the call.