Chapter 77: Seen It, Touched It, Kissed It

Ethan's POV

Owen's question left me silent. Why did you suddenly stop?

How could I explain something to him that I couldn't even explain to myself?

I still hated Aria, but somehow, I could no longer bring myself to hurt Isabella.

"Owen," I said, keeping my voice steady, "stop setting these stupid traps. They're dangerous and pointless. You could end up in prison."

He nodded, "You're right, my methods lack your... thoroughness. That's why I need your help. We need to find a permanent way to deal with Aria and her daughter. And also take care of that supposed half-brother of ours."

I looked at him without speaking, but a chill spread through my chest.

"I understand, Ethan," Owen noticed my hesitation. "A woman like Isabella? Fine for some fun, but nothing serious. No background, no proper upbringing—not suitable material for the Black family."

My fist tightened at my side. The pain from the punch I'd just taken was nothing compared to the rage building inside me.

This idiot didn't know when to shut up. He continued, "Though I have to admit, her figure is quite spectacular, and her face isn't bad either. Smart too, in that street-smart way. Any man would want to have such a beauty underneath him for a good 'play'..."

Before he could finish, my fist had already knocked him to the ground.

"What the hell, Ethan?" He was instantly stunned, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth.

I casually adjusted my cuffs. "Just returning the punch I took for you, that's all."

I stepped closer, lowering my voice: "Those funds you transferred overseas? Return them. Every cent. I won't clean up this mess for you."

Owen slowly stood up, wiping the blood from his lip, his eyes filled with resentment. But he had to concede, "Fine. I'll handle it."

At that moment, Isabella and Julian walked toward us. They were side by side, looking comfortable together. Too comfortable. Seeing this, my heart gave a painful twinge.

Four awkward pairs of eyes met, nobody moving. I couldn't stop staring at her, but she merely glanced at me before deliberately turning her gaze to Owen. This intentional distance stung me effortlessly.

"Owen, Ethan, you're still here?" Julian asked, breaking the tense atmosphere.

Owen straightened his posture, assuming his big brother stance despite the fresh bruise on his jaw. "We were just chatting."

"Well, I have tomorrow off and I'm planning to take Isabella out for some fresh air," Julian said with his signature relaxed smile.

Julian had been nagging for weeks that she was spending too much time on her design work. Tomorrow was his day off, and he had finally managed to pull Isabella away from her drafting table.

Owen wore a fake smile as he looked at Isabella. "Isabella, taking advantage of Julian's day off? Where are you dragging him to?"

I saw her face tighten slightly at his wording. Dragging him. Typical Owen, inserting the most malicious insinuation into the most ordinary words.

"We're going boating on the lake, Owen," she said, maintaining her politeness.

Julian chimed in, "At Central Park. Why don't both of you join us? It'll be fun!"

I carefully observed Isabella. She stared at the ground, obviously hoping I would decline. Owen looked between us, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes before he said, "I won't intrude. Have fun."

He walked away, leaving Julian to look hopefully at me. "What about you, Ethan? You rarely take time off. Come with us?"

Silence stretched between us. Isabella wouldn't even look at me. Her obvious avoidance irritated me, making my chest tight.

They're going on another date? Romantic boating together? Ha, how fucking romantic. Just thinking about it made me feel awful.

"Sure," I agreed immediately.

Isabella's head snapped up, those beautiful eyes widening slightly in surprise. She probably hadn't expected me to agree to join them, since I usually just stay home reading during my free time, showing no interest in such activities.

Julian was so happy he almost jumped up. This was the first time since childhood that he'd successfully invited me out, so he couldn't help being shocked. "Great! I'll drive tomorrow."

I looked at Isabella, whose surprised expression had returned to normal. Clearly my joining them hadn't made her happy.

The next day, Julian drove us to the park as promised. He kept trying to make conversation the whole way, completely unaware of the strange atmosphere in the car—neither Isabella nor I had spoken. I sat in the passenger seat with my eyes closed, pretending to rest, but every cell in my body was acutely aware of Isabella sitting behind me.

"Isabella, can you swim?" Julian suddenly asked.

"No, Julian, I can't," she answered softly. This was her first sentence since getting in the car.

"That's okay. Ethan and I both swim well. If you fall in the lake, we'll fish you out."

I could feel her glance at me through the rearview mirror. Swimming. Great topic, Julian. She definitely still remembered when I'd held her down in the pool. We finally go out together, and he has to remind her of that unpleasant incident. I stared at the road ahead, feeling a knot forming in my chest.

"Actually, I've always wanted to learn," she admitted.

"We have a pool at home," Julian suggested. "I could teach you sometime."

"Thank you, Julian, but it's a bit cold now. Maybe in summer," she politely declined.

I closed my eyes again, clenching my jaw. She was all smiles and conversation with Julian, polite and courteous to Owen too, but she only hated and rejected me. Whenever she accidentally made eye contact with me, she quickly looked away as if scalded. She couldn't even bear that minimal eye contact—was I that repulsive to her?

I must be fucking crazy to have agreed to come out with them, watching them chat and laugh, pretending I don't exist—purely self-inflicted torture.

After a moment of silence, Julian said, "You could use Ethan's bathtub. His tub is especially large, and you can fill it with warm water."

His words immediately triggered my memories of when she accidentally fell in, her clothes soaked through, clinging to every curve of her body, clearly revealing the contours of her chest and thighs, making me instantly hard. That image was so damn clear, branded into my brain, impossible to shake off.

"Would you mind, Ethan?" Julian asked, "Could Isabella learn to swim in your bathtub?"

"I don't mind," I replied, feigning calmness while my heart filled with anticipation.

"No, really, it's not necessary," she hurriedly said, her voice a bit higher than usual.

Her refusal was so swift and absolute, leaving no room for negotiation. I smiled bitterly and lowered my head. It seemed that in her eyes, I remained someone she needed to keep at a distance.

Julian, oblivious as ever, continued to persuade her. "If you're uncomfortable, we could hire a female instructor."

"It's really not necessary, Julian," she insisted.

I snorted softly, turning sideways to look directly into her eyes through the rearview mirror: "Seen it, touched it, kissed it. What's left to be embarrassed about?"

The car instantly fell silent. Seeing Julian's dumbfounded expression, I felt somewhat smug. He could never have guessed that Isabella and I had that kind of relationship.

I looked at Isabella in the rearview mirror. Her face had gone from pale to bright red, her eyes flashing with anger and humiliation.

"You're talking nonsense!" she hissed, trembling with rage.