Substitute Bride: Utterly Pampered by Her Billionaire Husband

Chapter 1514: He’s Starting to Like Her a Little

Carlotta’s words directly revealed that she spent the night with Ethan Barnes, and her ambiguous tone was enough to make anyone’s imagination run wild.

Ethan froze, then lifted his gaze to look at Celeste Linden across from him.

Celeste was drinking milk. Hearing this, she glanced at Ethan.

Their eyes met, and Celeste quickly looked away.

Carlotta continued, "Ethan, we should take some time to have that surgery, you promised me last time, remember? I want to have a baby with you."

When did he agree to that?

He never wanted to have that surgery, nor did he plan on having a child. Besides, Celeste already had his baby; he didn’t want another one.

Ethan looked at Carlotta, displeased. "Carlotta, you..."

Carlotta quickly leaned in and whispered in Ethan’s ear, "Ethan, I said that on purpose. Don’t scold me, okay? All the servants are here, and it would be so embarrassing for me."

Ethan pursed his thin lips and didn’t say anything more.

From the outside, it seemed to Celeste and others that Carlotta and Ethan were whispering sweet nothings to each other.

Then Carlotta shifted the topic to Celeste, "Cousin, Ethan and I plan to have a child. If you’re still living here, will you help us take care of the baby? I’m afraid I won’t manage it alone."

Celeste put down her glass of milk and nodded, "Sure, I’m done eating. You two take your time."

Celeste stood up and went upstairs.

Now only Ethan and Carlotta remained in the dining room. Carlotta said happily, "Ethan, do you prefer a boy or a girl? We..."

"That’s enough." Ethan interrupted her impatiently, his lips moving slightly.

Carlotta stiffened.

Ethan stood up, "You go ahead and eat. I’m leaving."

...

Celeste returned to her room and sat on the edge of the bed, her hand caressing her belly. She wasn’t surprised by the intimacy between Ethan and Carlotta; she had caught them in bed before. What puzzled her was Carlotta’s attitude today.

Carlotta was usually shy, like a demure little woman, but today she flaunted her affection openly in front of Celeste, mentioning last night’s affair and even talking about having a child.

She wondered if Carlotta had discovered the relationship between her and Ethan.

If so, what should she do?

Secrets can’t be kept forever; she knew it would inevitably come out one day, so she had to plan carefully.

Ethan wouldn’t let her leave; she’d have to find a way to escape. If she joined forces with Carlotta...

Suddenly, with a "click," the door opened, and who else but Ethan stood there.

Thinking about escaping, she panicked upon seeing him, stood up instantly, "Why are you here again?"

Ethan observed her flustered manner and raised an eyebrow, "Why are you so anxious? Are you plotting something sinister again?"

"I’m not." Celeste didn’t want to alarm him yet, "Weren’t you dining with Carlotta downstairs? Why are you here?"

She noted that he had become increasingly bold lately, always visiting her room without any regard for Carlotta.

Ethan initially planned to leave, but after some thought, he turned back. After not seeing her the previous night, he felt compelled to catch a glimpse now.

"I heard you still aren’t eating well?" he queried, approaching her.

"I’m eating properly, but the morning sickness is severe. I’m not doing it on purpose," Celeste defensively stepped back two paces.

Was she really afraid of him?

Ethan reached out, holding her small face in his palm, "Celeste, what do you feel like eating?"

What?

Celeste couldn’t fathom his intentions. She didn’t want more interaction, especially physical contact, so she pushed him away, "You should let me go."

Ethan didn’t mean anything else, but as she squirmed in his arms, his Adam’s apple rose and fell. He placed a hand on her slender waist, pulling her into his embrace, "I’m asking what you’d like to eat. Pregnant women often crave sour or spicy foods, right? Tell me, and I’ll buy some for you outside."

Celeste’s heart skipped a beat. Did he intend to bring her snacks?

This gesture resembled that of a loving couple where the husband buys treats for his pregnant wife before going to work.

Celeste suddenly had a bold thought—did he... like her a little?

She wasn’t sure.

"I don’t want anything. Just let me go; what if Carlotta sees us? Aren’t you planning on having a child with her?" Celeste said this intentionally, still testing his feelings.

Ethan felt quite pleased and lowly asked, "Jealous?"

"No, I’m not." Celeste averted her gaze.

Ethan lowered his head and fervently kissed her red lips.

Celeste widened her eyes as he pressed his lips against hers, putting emotion into his action—a sign he had not felt her in a while.

Did he really like her a little?

Could she leverage this tiny bit of affection?

Various ideas rushed through Celeste’s mind, but she was unsure which would be safest and most effective.

Although she didn’t reciprocate, she didn’t resist his kiss either, daydreaming about it. Ethan conveniently ignored her absent-mindedness, circling her waist and pressing her against the wall, "Celeste, come away with me?"

What?

Celeste stared at him.

Ethan felt parched, like a fire burning through him, unsure of his own thoughts. "With Carlotta here, it’s inconvenient for us. Let me take you out for a drive; didn’t you always say you wanted to go out?"

Celeste’s eyelashes fluttered in shock, staring at him as if to say, aren’t you most in love with Carlotta?

Ethan himself didn’t understand his urge to take Celeste away, to a place with just the two of them, behind Carlotta’s back.

But he knew it wasn’t fair to Carlotta, who had suffered so much for him.

Whatever, he wasn’t a good person anyway. So what if he was bad?

Facing her clear eyes, Ethan didn’t know how to confront his feelings, so he covered her eyes with his hand, "Celeste, answer me, will you come with me or not?"

Now Celeste was sure; he definitely liked her a little, though the extent was uncertain.

She quickly devised a plan that might help her escape.

"I don’t want to go out." She refused.