Chapter 18: THE TRIAL AND TRIUMPH

Amelia started trying to sleep once again. Ethan went back to his bed and lay down. Amelia was lying down very quietly so that Ethan's sleep wouldn't be disturbed. She knew he needed rest after a long day. Amelia tried to get comfortable on the sofa, but her neck and back started to ache. Unbeknownst to her, she eventually rolled off the sofa and ended up on the carpet below while she was sleeping.

In the morning, when Ethan opened his eyes, he saw Amelia sleeping peacefully on the carpet instead of the sofa. He couldn't help but find her childlike and innocent. Ethan picked up Amelia's blanket from the sofa and covered her with it. Then he quickly got ready in the washroom and headed to the gym.

When Amelia finally woke up, she found herself lying on the floor. She got up, feeling a bit sore all over her body. Her face lacked the usual freshness due to the restless night. Only Ethan and Amelia knew the reason behind her discomfort. She quickly went to the washroom to take a bath, hoping it would refresh her. After getting ready, she went to Charlotte's room. Charlotte was still asleep, so Amelia gently picked her up and brought her downstairs after brushing her teeth.

Meanwhile, Ethan returned from the gym and went straight to his room to freshen up. He had important meetings at the office today, so he needed to get ready quickly. As soon as Ethan opened the door to his room, he saw the scene in front of him and shouted angrily, "Amelia! Come here now!"

Hearing Ethan's voice, Amelia immediately thought, "What have I done wrong now?" She rushed towards Ethan's room, worried about what might have upset him this time.

When Amelia entered the room, she saw Ethan's face turning red with anger. He pointed to his bed and said, "Do you have to teach me not to leave your wet towel on the bed too?"

Amelia teasingly replied to Ethan, "Why don't you give me a rule book on how to live with you? I'll follow it so that you won't get upset. Besides, I'm already so tired, and you never miss a chance to scold me. Tonight, I'll sleep on the bed."

Ethan immediately responded, "Fine, I have no problem with that. But don't complain later if I cross any boundaries." He crossed his arms, teasing her.

Amelia replied angrily, "Sleeping on the bed doesn't mean I'll sleep with you. Tonight, you can sleep on the sofa, and I'll take the bed. And if it bothers you so much, your room is big enough. You can arrange another bed. You're the extra one here."

As Amelia was about to leave, Ethan caught hold of her hand from behind. She stopped in surprise. Ethan pulled her closer and held her chin in his hand, saying, "There's no extra bed here. Either you sleep on the sofa or with me on my bed. I don't want anyone gossiping about us, thinking we're not a normal married couple. That's why you're in my room."

Amelia looked into Ethan's eyes, seeing both anger and concern. She jerked her hand away from his grip and said angrily, "You could have said all that without touching me. Do you enjoy hurting me? Maybe no one told you that your constant gym sessions have made your hands rough. Even a normal touch from you can hurt someone."

Amelia stormed off, stomping her feet in frustration. Ethan took a moment to process what she had said, holding his hands in front of his face. He thought to himself, "Have my hands really become so rough?" Shaking off the thought,

he went to the cupboard to get dressed. However, as soon as he opened the cupboard, he was once again reminded of the messiness inside. Not only were his clothes there, but Amelia's clothes were also kept in his compartment, and in a disorganized manner.

He considered explaining the situation to Amelia but decided against it, thinking it was already enough for one day. He swallowed his anger and began undressing. However, as he reached for Amelia's clothes in the cupboard, he was drawn to the fragrance emanating from them. Ethan couldn't resist and brought the clothes closer to his nose, inhaling the unique and intoxicating scent. He tossed his own clothes back into the cupboard and, hitting his head lightly, headed to the washroom for a bath.

Meanwhile, it was Amelia's first day after marriage, so she decided to make something sweet. Charlotte thoroughly enjoyed the pudding made by Amelia's hands. Along with breakfast, Charlotte also had some halwa. When Ethan came downstairs after getting ready, he saw everyone gathered at the dining table, enjoying their meal. Although his anger was still lingering, Ethan decided not to let it affect him. Instead, he teasingly remarked to Amelia, "Apologies, Amelia! It's evident from your tired face that you couldn't sleep well because of me last night."

Amelia felt as if hot oil had been poured into her ears. She was seething with anger, contemplating whether to pour cold water on Ethan right then and there, making him aware of his words. In her mind, Amelia thought, "What is this man trying to imply? That something happened between us last night, causing my lack of sleep and tiredness."

Amelia responded teasingly, "I wanted to sleep in my own room. At least I would have had a bed there. But now that I'm married to you, I suppose I'll have to get used to all of this."

Sunita, unable to contain her laughter, burst out laughing after witnessing their banter. However, it wasn't just confined to those present at the dining table; a nearby house help overheard their conversation. The house help quickly typed a message to Sarah Churchill, saying, "Madam, Ethan sir and his wife sleep separately. It might all be an act!"

Sarah replied, "Good work! I want evidence of this. It could be useful in my case."

"Okay, ma'am," the house help replied.

Ethan stared at Amelia as if someone had snatched a favorite toy from a small child's hands. Amelia fiercely replied, "Your gaze won't kill me. You'll have to bear me for the rest of your life now."

Ethan grabbed his laptop bag and left for the office. Meanwhile, the house help named Vicky started pondering how to gather evidence of Ethan and Amelia's living arrangement.

Amelia finished breakfast and took Charlotte for a walk in the garden. Ethan was seething with anger. At the office, Ethan called James. Seeing Ethan's expression, James knew that the boss was in a bad mood, and his anger was about to be unleashed.

"Yes, boss!"

"What time is my meeting?"

"The meeting is in an hour, boss."

"Okay!"

James was surprised and thought to himself, "That's it? I thought I was going to be sacrificed today." He stood there, still processing the unexpected turn of events.

"You're still standing here. Go and do your work," Ethan said, snapping James out of his thoughts.

Meanwhile, the person scheduled to meet Ethan was Adriana . She was both his rival and someone who held a fondness for him. She didn't know about Ethan's recent marriage in India as she was coming directly from France. In her mind, Ethan was still single, and she was hoping to collaborate on some projects to develop a closer relationship with him.