With a loud crash, two people plunged straight into the swimming pool, splashing up a huge spray of water.
The icy water instantly washed over Seraphina Redgrave’s head. She opened her eyes, as if seeing that hopeless expanse of seawater in the restricted zone.
Seraphina struggled desperately to surface, only to see Ethan Sterling standing drenched in front of her.
Water droplets slid down Ethan’s handsome cheeks, and his shirt was thoroughly soaked.
His eyes were that familiar amber hue, now looking more enchanting against the water’s backdrop, as he fiercely glared at Seraphina, lunging to grasp her throat.
Out of instinct, Seraphina quickly unstrapped the dagger she always carried from her thigh.
Entering the Sterling Family required going through security, so it was impossible to bring in a controlled knife. She had only tied a strap around her thigh, and the dagger was snatched from a bodyguard once inside.
She never imagined she’d use it on Ethan.
Seraphina’s hair was completely soaked, and all she could see was water.
Just as Ethan’s hand closed around Seraphina’s throat, she gritted her teeth and plunged the dagger into Ethan’s right shoulder.
But the suffocating feeling she expected didn’t come; instead, there were just a pair of wet hands cradling her face. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel⦿fire.net
Ethan’s face closed in on Seraphina’s, as if saying something, then it turned into a kiss.
Seraphina’s mind went blank; she heard Ethan speaking.
I have only one thought, that by killing you, you would wholly belong to me, never having eyes for anyone else, never mentioning another’s name.
Frozen beside me for a lifetime.
Everything’s fine, but I can’t bear it.
This is all he wanted to say, but it was too late; the dagger in Seraphina’s hand had already pierced Ethan’s shoulder.
She didn’t know that Ethan actually had no intention of killing her.
In her clear eyes, reflected the image of Ethan wincing in pain, looking at his own injured right shoulder.
Seraphina held her breath, releasing the tightly gripped dagger (in her hand).
Fortunately, Seraphina only aimed to scare Ethan away without using much force, so when she let go, the dagger dropped into the water.
The clear water instantly turned red, like blossoming red roses, shockingly beautiful.
Seraphina dared not breathe at all.
Ethan looked at his shoulder for a long time, then he turned to Seraphina: "Why didn’t you use more force?"
The amber eyes were mesmerizing.
"Weren’t you trying to kill me?"
Seraphina instinctively said what was on her mind, then realized what Ethan had said.
At times he was indeed crazy, sometimes soberly clear-headed to a fault. Indeed, her skills were capable of delivering a fatal blow to Ethan.
But she didn’t do it.
Selena Quinn walked toward the sound, carrying honey water, lifted her eyes and saw the two of them soaking in the swimming pool, and upon recognizing them, her expression changed: "Ethan brother?"
How could he be here with Seraphina...?
Didn’t he just say those things to her at the banquet? Forgotten already?
Ethan paid her no mind, his eyes fixated on Seraphina.
Seeing this, Seraphina instinctively wanted to retreat.
Just intending to move, she was caught by Ethan by the wrist, then he lowered his head for a kiss.
The kiss was far too intense.
Ethan deeply kissed her without regard, madly drawing in Seraphina’s lips, almost overwhelming her.
Seraphina grew dizzy from the kiss, unable to keep her feet grounded in the water, yet Ethan refused to let her go.
Selena stood still, accidentally dropping the honey water in her hands, causing the glass to shatter, spreading a faintly sweet scent into the moist air.
With that noise, Ethan pressed Seraphina on pool closed, his kissing of Seraphina more fervent, his amber eyes filled with desire for her.
His hand supported the back of Seraphina’s neck, biting the girl’s tender lips, glancing sideways at her with disdain in his amber gaze: "How much longer do you want to watch?"
Even while rebuking Selena, Ethan’s lips were still pressed against Seraphina’s, such close proximity was so suggestive.
Selena stood rooted, her eyes reddening, intending to turn away, but then caught a faint scent of iron, like blood?
She steadied herself, observing the diluted red on the water’s surface, and hesitantly spoke: "Ethan brother are you alright? Should I call the family doctor?"
"Do you need to pry even into the fun I have with my woman? Get lost."
Ethan glared at her, full of disgust, shouting angrily, his face filled with chill.
Selena jumped at the sudden outburst, wanting to speak again, but Ethan ignored her, continued kissing the girl in his arms.
Selena’s body trembled, turning and ran out.
Seraphina leaned against the wall behind, waves of heat rolling over her.
She heard Selena leaving, finally spoke: "Maybe deal with the wound first?"
Kissed into a daze, it was difficult enough finding her voice and still being concerned for Ethan’s wounds.
Ethan pressed his forehead against Seraphina’s, gaze burning with fire, also gasping: "If I really wanted to do something to you, would I let things become this bizarre?"
He was being self-deprecating.
Seraphina saw such vulnerability in Ethan for the first time, instinctively holding her breath, then looked into his amber eyes and spoke: "I didn’t mean to toy with you."
Ethan’s smirk grew colder: "Should I thank you then?"
She indeed did nothing, yet he still felt like losing his mind.
She didn’t want others to know, so he didn’t spill a word despite the shattered glass; he would be happy that Seraphina didn’t actually intend to kill him.
Both of them were soaking wet; naturally, it wasn’t the time to return directly to Hibiscus Garden.
Seraphina was carried by Ethan to his place.
Compared to Hibiscus Garden, the Sterling Family’s old mansion was vast beyond sight, just Ethan’s place alone was larger than a typical person’s home.
Seraphina took a quick shower, then started searching for the first aid kit to dress Ethan’s wounds, but before she found it, she was lifted onto the bed by Ethan.
The room was intimate and cozy.
The curtains reflected the splendid fireworks outside the window.
The room was filled with the scent of romantic interplay.
The Sterling Family’s old mansion celebrated the marriage of Ryan Sterling and Chloe Quinn.
In Ethan’s room, however, it was just the two of them in an intense embrace.
Blood dripped from the shoulder wound and cut across the palm from broken glass, staining the light gray sheets and covers red.
She looked into the pitch-black room, her eyes unfocused, murmuring: "Ethan... Young Master Sterling..."
She didn’t know what to call Ethan.
Their closeness was so intimate, yet they couldn’t address each other like typical lovers.
For a long while, she stopped grappling with how to call him, instead asking: "Have you fallen for me?"