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Emily was still under the weather from the flu. Her body felt like it was on fire, a searing heat that made every nerve tingle.Â
Amidst the feverish haze, Ethan’s voice cut through the dream— a deep, resonant voice that sent shivers down her spine.Â
Coming out of the dream in a daze, she wondered why she’d seen Alexander in it but heard Ethan’s voice.Â
As she opened her eyes, her body jolted in surprise. Ethan was right above her, his hands propping on either side, effectively trapping her.Â
In the dim light filtering through the window, she could just about make out his expression. His brows were furrowed, and his eyes held a probing look, as if he were trying to read her soul.Â
“Ethan, what are you doing? Get outta my way,” Emily croaked, her voice rough and scratchy.Â
As she reached out to push him, her palm landed on his chest.Â
Through the thin shirt, he felt the heat of her fingers.Â
Ethan leaned in closer, blocking out what little light there was. His face became a shadowy blur in the darkness.Â
“Can’t you just leave?” Emily snapped, her voice laced withÂ
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irritation.Â
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But Ethan didn’t budge. Instead, his hand shot out and grabbed her jaw tightly. “Slept with him, have you?” he growled, his voice icy cold.Â
“What on earth are you talking about?” Emily winced, trying to pull away from his grip.Â
Ethan moved even closer, his face inches from hers. “Think he’s better than me, so you’re filing for divorce?”Â
Emily was a bit confused about what “better” he meant.Â
But seeing an opening to hit back, she shot right back, “Finally admitting you’re not up to par, Ethan?”Â
With a darkened face, a flicker of annoyance crossed Ethan’s eyes, and then he suddenly let out a mocking laugh. “Maybe you’re just not my type. You’re the one who can’t get me going.”Â
His words hit Emily like a punch in the gut.Â
It was true that their physical relationship had been lackluster over the years.Â
Ethan always seemed to rush through it, like it was a chore. She’d never really enjoyed it.Â
His words hurt her, but this disharmony couldn’t be pinned onÂ
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her alone.Â
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Once upon a time, his words would have sent her into a spiral of self–doubt.Â
But now, she just didn’t care.Â
Emily let out a small laugh and replied coolly, “Works for me. We’re better off without each other.”Â
Ethan was caught off guard by this unfamiliar side of Emily. He frowned slightly, a furrow forming between his brows.Â
After a brief silence, he spoke up, ‘If you’re into buff guys and want a change, you sure you don’t wanna give it another go withÂ
me?”Â
Emily scoffed at his cocky look, “What’s the point of another try? We’ve been married for years. When have you ever lasted more than five minutes?”Â
As soon as she said that, the grip on her jaw loosened.Â
In the dim light, she thought she saw Ethan flash a cold smile.Â
Meanwhile, she recalled Nancy’s daily vlogs. Nancy had been with Alexander last night.Â
Emily reminded, “Ethan, sometimes it’s wiser not to be so full of yourself. You might not be all that.”Â
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With that, she wriggled out from under him and sat up.Â
It was still early, but dawn was breaking.Â
Not in the mood to sleep anymore, Emily headed to the bathroom to freshen up, not caring what Ethan was thinking.Â
When she came out, Ethan was gone.Â
Getting dressed, she saw that the sky was just starting to lighten.Â
It was still carly, and Emily had no desire to stay at Joy Gardens any longer.Â
As Emily stepped out of the guest room, she heard sobbing from Sophia’s room. “Waaah, Dad, Nancy didn’t reply to me. She doesn’t want me anymore.”Â
The door was ajar. Inside, Ethan stood by the bed while Sophia clung to his waist, crying her heart out.Â
Hearing his daughter’s words, Ethan quickly soothed her. “It’s still early. Maybe Nancy’s still catching some Zs.”Â
Sophia looked up at him with tear–streaked eyes. “But Dad, usually at this time, Nancy would wake me up. Not today.”Â
Ethan gently stroked Sophia’s head. “How about I give Nancy a ring?”Â
Chapter 284 House–huntingÂ
Sophia nodded happily. “Okay,”Â
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No, with one arm around Sophia, than dialed Nancy’s number. But it went straight to voicemail, the cold, robotic voice saying the phone was off.Â
Standing at the door, Emily heard it too.Â
Thinking about Nancy’s daily updates, she figured Nancy might have had a blast last night.Â
Shaking her head with a faint smile, Emily headed downstairs.Â
Sophia, still clutching Ethan’s waist, saw Emily’s shadow pass by the door.Â
Did Mom hear her crying? Then why didn’t she come to comfort her?Â
Emily used to dote on her.Â
But this wasn’t the first time.Â
Sophia knew Mom didn’t love her as much anymore.Â
Oh well, I still have Nancy.Â
Hearing the phone was off, Sophia stopped crying. “Dad, Nancy must be tired. She’s probably still sleeping.”Â
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Ethan ruffled Sophia’s little face.” Yeah.”Â
Even as he said that, Ethan knew Nancy well.Â
She rarely turned her phone off, especially as a Ph.D. student who needed to be reachable for her professor and the school.Â
*****Â
In the afternoon, Emily was writing medical records in her office when her phone on the table lit up.Â
Glancing over, she saw it was a WhatsApp message fromÂ
Vanessa.Â
Opening the app, she found a video. In it, Nancy was on Ethan’s arm, checking out a property.Â
There was also a text from Vanessa: [Your husband’s house–hunting.]Â
Puzzled, Emily sent back a question mark.Â
Vanessa replied promptly: [For real, looking at places with that other woman.]Â
Emily paused for a moment, then texted back: [Keep snapping pics. If I can get the money back later, I’ll split it with you.]Â
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Vanessa wasn’t short on cash. She just asked worriedly: [Aren’t you bothered?]Â
Emily replied: [It’s unnecessary.]Â