Chapter 11

At 4 a.m., Ethan woke up. He turned his head at the steady rhythm of breathing beside him. The woman next to him was sound asleep, her soft hair spread across the pillow, the beige comforter pulled up under her chin-still and quiet, like a sleeping kitten. Without all the sass and snark from earlier, she was actually kind of... peaceful. He liked her a lot more when her mouth wasn't moving. That cold heart of his, hardened from years of discipline, unexpectedly melted a little in that moment. ***** Celeste had the best sleep she'd had in a while, waking up halfway into the day. She sat up in bed, wrapped in the covers, yawning. For a second, she was confused at the empty space beside her. Had she slept that deep? Ethan got up and she didn't hear a thing? Still groggy, she tossed off the blanket, went through a half-hearted morning routine, and headed downstairs for breakfast. She had barely stepped onto the top stair when voices from the living room drifted up-Sophie chatting in hushed tones with a maid. "He react at all?" Sophie clearly didn't want to be overheard, but unfortunately for her, Celeste was right at the perfect spot to catch every word. Curious, Celeste craned her neck and peeked down-then froze. ‘Wait a sec. Wasn't that the same maid from last night? The one who had on the little slip dress and literally ripped Ethan's boxers?' Now this was getting juicy. "I didn't get a good look. Sir didn't want to," the maid stuttered, cheeks blazing. "Then the missus came in, so I just... stopped." "What are you afraid of her for?" Sophie sounded frustrated. "She's just a prop here. If Ethan actually cared about her, you think I'd need you?" "Mrs. Larkspur, I really can't do this. Maybe... maybe find someone else?" The maid's whole face was red, words tumbling out in a nervous mess. "Oh come on, we had a deal. I already paid you. You..." Celeste had heard more than enough. Ugh. Forcing someone into that crap? Gross. Without hesitation, she strolled downstairs, her voice light but clear enough to slice through the awkward tension. "Good morning, Mother." Sophie instantly stopped mid-sentence and waved the maid away. Then, brows furrowing, she walked up to Celeste, tone sharp. "You've got no sense of propriety, do you? Look at the time! Just out of prison and still sleeping in like this every day?" She looked Celeste up and down skeptically. "Don't tell me you really just woke up..." "Sorry, Mom. I didn't mean to sleep in, but taking care of Ethan last night really wore me out. And he didn't wake me this morning either, so... here we are." Celeste gave an exaggerated yawn, looking appropriately ‘apologetic.' Ethan wasn't home right now, so she might as well throw his name around a little. It's not like he'd know-and technically, she wasn't even lying. Sure enough, her words hit like a bomb. Sophie's eyes went wide in shock. "Wait, what? You- You were in the same room as Ethan last night?" "Yep." Celeste nodded firmly. She then lowered her voice, glancing toward the kitchen. "Shh, Mom, there are staff around..." Watching Celeste act all shy and bashful, Sophie's face finally lit up with delight. "That's wonderful! You must be exhausted!" Seeing the servants cleaning up the dining table, Sophie called out, "Hold up-bring out the fresh steak from the kitchen, Celeste hasn't eaten yet. Why were you clearing anything away?" Celeste stepped off the stairs in her slippers, a sly smirk tugging at her lips as she glanced around the room. Let Sophie keep fussing around her. Yeah, she was right. Ethan might be in a wheelchair, but his status in this household? Still untouchable. As long as everyone thought their marriage was real and solid, she'd hold the spot of first lady in this house-no question. And that? That was just step one.