CHAPTER 19: CHAPTER 19: ISN’T THIS WHAT YOU WANT FROM ME?

When Ethan Sterling returned to The Paramount Gardens, it was already late at night.

The man emerging from the back seat still carried the dust from his journey abroad.

"You’ve worked hard these past few days, get some rest early."

Accepting the suitcase handed over by Sean Hale, Ethan stepped into the elevator.

As he rode the elevator up, just as he was about to enter the door code, the door was pulled open from the inside.

Seraphina Thorne stood in the doorway, dressed in a red dress, with her long hair elegantly tied up.

She had deliberately put on makeup, and under the light, her lips were red and her skin was fair, looking particularly radiant.

Ethan was a bit taken aback.

"You’re back!" Smiling as she took the paper bag from his hand, Seraphina opened the door wider, "Come in?"

Helping him take off his coat and hang it in the hallway, she reached for his arm, pulling him into the dining room.

In the living room, music was softly playing.

The flames from the candle on the dining table flickered, casting an enchanting amber hue on the red wine in the glasses.

There was also a plate of freshly seared steak.

Seraphina smiled, "I just learned how to make this online, I can’t guarantee it’ll taste good."

Ethan turned his head, giving her a scrutinizing glance.

"Why did you suddenly think of cooking for me?"

"To celebrate your successful acquisition, don’t you like it?" Seraphina gave him a playful shove, "Go wash your hands, I’ll bring out the salad."

The young woman turned, her skirt swaying as she walked into the kitchen.

Ethan stood by the table, dazed for a few seconds.

When he returned after washing his hands, Seraphina had already set the salad on the table.

Watching him take his seat, she lifted her wine glass.

"To your growing business success."

Clinking her glass with his, she tilted her head back and took large swallows of wine.

"Drink slower, red wine can be intoxicating too," Ethan gently reminded.

"It’s nothing, it’s rare to get drunk in life, right?"

Seraphina grabbed the wine bottle to refill her glass and extended it towards him again.

"To the second glass, thank you for your help."

Watching her about to drink more wine, Ethan stood up, reaching across the table to grab her wrist.

"Did something happen?"

"No... Can’t I just be happy that you’re back?"

Seraphina pulled her hand back and downed another glass.

Watching her reach for the wine bottle again, Ethan reached out to grab the bottle.

"No more drinking!"

Placing down the empty wine glass, Seraphina moved around the dining table, sitting sideways on his lap, raising her hand to hold his face.

Her arms wrapped around Ethan’s neck, Seraphina lowered her head, initiating a kiss.

Ethan raised his hand to support her shoulder, steadying her.

"Be honest with me, did something happen?"

Candlelight dinner with wine and steak...

Even more, she initiated a kiss?

Something was off about Seraphina tonight.

Seraphina tugged at his tie, loosening it.

Her arms tightened around his neck, her eyes drawing near to his.

"Ethan, tonight... shall we be together?"

Ethan raised his right hand, gently caressing the girl’s delicate cheek, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

"Are you sure?"

Seraphina didn’t speak, only lowered her head to kiss him.

That bastard Adrian Chamberlain, he caused her to be like this and still wanted to possess her.

She absolutely wouldn’t give her virginity to him.

If she had to choose, she’d rather have Ethan.

Her kiss, awkward and inexperienced, was still enough to make Ethan lose control.

He kissed her back, plundering wantonly.

The hand on her waist gradually tightened, pulling the girl’s slender body entirely into his embrace.

Seraphina closed her eyes, obediently letting him have his way.

The man’s kisses moved from her lips, gradually conquering and claiming.

Seraphina’s breath hitched, instinctively clutching his shoulder.

"Ethan!"

Her voice was soft, with a hoarse texture.

Like an invisible net, wrapping him in desire.

Embracing her, he stood up, his head still buried in her neck.

Striding into the bedroom, he didn’t even care about the curtains.

Laying her on the bed, he leaned over her.

The small hidden zipper wouldn’t hold; he lost his patience, simply yanking down her dress straps.

Her flimsy dress provided no cover.

The buttons of his shirt pressed painfully against her chest.

Arching her feet, her high heels slipped off without her noticing.

She was exceedingly tense, inexperienced, not knowing what to do.

Instinctively she just clung to him, wrapping around, rubbing against...

Time and again, she called his name in a voice hoarse and low.

"Ethan Sterling..."

"Ethan... Sterling..."

"Don’t rush."

Ethan gently lowered his head, soothing her with kisses.

"Otherwise, it will hurt a lot!"

The man’s hand slipped under the skirt...

In the turmoil of emotions and desires.

A flash of memory from a night in middle school crossed her mind, fragments resurfaced, and Seraphina Thorne’s body tensed as she abruptly drew her legs together.

"No..."

"Don’t be nervous, I’ll go slower..."

"Let go of me!"

Seraphina screamed, forcefully pushing Ethan away.

Noticing her reaction, Ethan straightened up and reached out to turn on the lamp.

The girl trembled, curling up at the corner of the bed.

"Seraphina!" Ethan held her shoulders, "Calm down, it’s me!"

The lights came on, and Seraphina saw Ethan’s face clearly.

She steadied herself, realizing her loss of composure.

"I’m... I’m sorry."

Taking a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil inside, Ethan pulled the blanket over her shoulders.

"I’ll get you some clothes, let’s talk about this another day."

"No!" Seraphina raised her hand, grabbing his arm, "It has to be today, I can handle it..."

Her father was having surgery in the morning, Adrian Chamberlain wouldn’t give her more time.

Ethan raised his hand, smoothing her messy hair.

"I know you’re not ready."

"I am ready, really!" Seraphina sat up, "Don’t worry about me, I’m fine."

Ethan pulled the blanket over her again.

"I’m not interested in forcing a woman."

"Don’t you want me?" Seraphina grabbed his arm, kissing his face wildly, "Why aren’t you doing anything?"

"You’re drunk." Ethan frowned, gently pushing her away, "I’ll get you some juice to sober up."

Seeing him about to leave, Seraphina jumped off the bed without putting on shoes and hugged him from behind.

"Didn’t you marry me to get back at Adrian Chamberlain? By sleeping with the woman he hasn’t, that’s the best revenge... Ethan, what are you waiting for?"

Taking a deep breath, Ethan controlled his temper.

Raising both hands, he pried her arms away.

"Leave my bedroom before I lose my temper."

"Ethan..."

Ethan abruptly turned around, his chest heaving, handsome face dark.

"Didn’t you hear me?"

His eyes swept over her red dress that barely covered her body, then he grabbed a blanket and tossed it to her.

"Get out!"

The blanket slid down and hit the floor.

Seraphina, disheveled, barefoot, with reddened eyes.

"You men are all bastards, Adrian Chamberlain is, and so are you!"

Pulling up the strap that slipped off her shoulder, she slammed the door and walked out.

Ethan opened a drawer, pulled out a cigarette, placed it in his mouth, lit it, and took a deep drag.

The smoke filled his chest, making it feel heavy.

He pushed open the French window and stepped out onto the balcony.

At some point, the wind had picked up.

Raindrops pelted down, lashing against the man’s face and body.

Pressing the cigarette butt into the ashtray on the balcony table, Ethan frowned and walked out of the bedroom.

The living room was empty.

He walked over and knocked on the guest room door.

No response.

Ethan pushed the door open and found an empty room.

Seraphina was gone.

In the corridor, only his coat remained. Seraphina’s coat was not on the rack.

He grabbed his phone and pressed the speed dial number 1.

Buzz—

Seraphina’s phone vibrated on the dining table.

Ethan frowned, grabbed her phone, and ended the call, then turned and rushed to the entrance.

Slipping on his shoes and grabbing his coat, he opened the hall cabinet, intending to take an umbrella.

Buzz—

In his hand, Seraphina’s phone vibrated again.

The screen displayed an unregistered landline number.

Ethan ended the call, but within two seconds, it rang again. Annoyed, he picked it up.

From the receiver, Adrian Chamberlain’s voice was filled with anger.

"Seraphina, don’t think you can avoid this by not answering. Clearwater Apartments, Building F, Unit 603. If I don’t see you in two hours, prepare for your father to die on the operating table!"

Without giving Ethan a chance to speak, the call abruptly ended.

Ethan flung the door open and dashed out of the apartment, forgetting the umbrella entirely.