Chapter 210: Ended Up Sleeping in the Same Bed

Diana closed her eyes.

"You can only sleep on the floor. Don't get on the bed. Don't come near me. Don't talk."

Ethan didn't say a word, but he moved quickly.

He walked over to the floor by the window, spread out the blanket, set down the pillow, and lay down.

His movements were so swift, as if he was afraid she'd change her mind.

Diana lay back down, turning her back to him and pulling the covers up to her chin.

The room fell silent.

After a long while, a very soft breathing sound came from the floor—long and steady.

He had fallen asleep.

Diana kept her eyes open, staring at the wall, unable to close them for a very long time.

Diana stared at the ceiling, her mind in complete chaos.

She had clearly made up her mind not to have anything more to do with Ethan.

But now? She was lying in a bed at the Grant family estate, and half a room away, that man was sleeping on the floor.

How did things end up like this?

She turned over, wrapping the covers tightly around herself.

No, she'd leave first thing in the morning.

Go back to Rosewood City and hand everything else over to Miles. She couldn't stay any longer—if she did, she'd only sink deeper and deeper.

This thought circled in her mind a few times, and she felt her consciousness gradually blur until she fell into a deep sleep.

...

Morning.

When Diana woke up, she felt something was off.

Her back was pressed against a scorching hot surface, and an arm was wrapped around her waist, holding tight.

A familiar scent came from behind her, and she was firmly enclosed in an embrace.

Diana's whole body stiffened, instantly awake.

She sat up abruptly, throwing off the covers and turning to look...

Ethan was lying right next to her.

He had obviously been woken by her movement too. Half-opening his eyes, his voice carried the hoarseness of just waking up: "Up so early? Sleep a bit more."

His tone was so natural, as if this was perfectly normal.

Diana's temples throbbed.

"Ethan!" She frowned hard, her voice low but clearly angry, "Why are you in my bed?"

"You weren't sleeping well last night." Ethan propped himself up, leaning against the headboard with a matter-of-fact expression, "You kept tossing and turning. You only settled down after I came up and held you."

He said it so righteously.

Diana was so angry her chest felt tight.

She wasn't sleeping well? She was asleep and didn't know anything—he could just say whatever he wanted?

"You..."

"When you said don't come near, you meant when you're awake." Ethan added, "When you're asleep doesn't count."

Diana was almost amused by his twisted logic.

"Get down." She pointed at the floor, "Now. Immediately."

Ethan looked at her for two seconds, didn't say much, threw off the covers and got out of bed.

His movements were actually quite efficient, no dragging his feet.

Diana didn't look at him again. She threw off the covers and rushed straight into the bathroom, closing the door with a "bang."

She stood at the sink, turned on the faucet, and splashed cold water on her face.

In the mirror, her cheeks were flushed—whether from anger or something else, she didn't know.

Diana took several deep breaths before pushing down the surging emotions.

She had to leave today. She couldn't stay a moment longer.

When Diana came downstairs after washing up, the old man was already sitting at the dining table eating breakfast.

Ethan hadn't come down yet.

Diana walked over and sat down beside the old man.

"Grandpa, I need to go back to Rosewood City today. There's something urgent there."

The old man put down his spoon, his face showing reluctance. "So soon? You just got here yesterday, haven't even had a few meals."

"I'll come see you again next time." Diana squeezed the old man's hand, "I'll call often."

The old man sighed and patted the back of her hand. Just as he was about to say something, footsteps came from the stairs.

Ethan came down in a change of clothes, his hair still slightly damp—clearly just out of the shower.

"I'll take you to the airport."

Diana opened her mouth to refuse.

"Let him take you." The old man spoke first, "I won't feel at ease with you taking a cab alone."

Diana looked at the old man, then at Ethan standing at the foot of the stairs.

The old man had already spoken—she couldn't very well start arguing with Ethan in front of him.

"...Fine."

The car pulled out of the Grant family gate and turned onto the main road.

Inside the car, it was so quiet you could only hear the sound of the car's internal machinery running.

Diana sat in the passenger seat, turning her head to look out the window.

Pedestrians and shops on the street gradually receded, and she didn't want to say a single word to the person beside her.

Ethan didn't speak either.

He had one hand on the steering wheel, the other hanging at his side, driving at a moderate speed, very steady.

The silence lasted from departure all the way to the airport expressway.

Twenty minutes of driving, and the two of them didn't say a single word.

Until the car stopped at the airport entrance.

Diana unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the car door.

"Diana."

Her movement paused.

Before she could react, a hand reached over from the side, gripping her wrist and pulling hard.

Her whole body was yanked back.

Ethan's arm came around from behind her, pulling her into his embrace.

The force wasn't heavy, but he held tight. His chin rested in the hollow of her shoulder, his breath hitting the side of her neck.

Diana froze.

"You..."

"Three seconds." Ethan's voice was muffled, coming from that spot on her shoulder, "Let me hold you for three seconds."

Diana gripped her bag strap tightly, her whole body tensed up.

One second. Two seconds. Three seconds.

He didn't let go.

"Ethan, three seconds are up."

Two more seconds passed before he slowly released his hold.

Diana immediately pulled away, pushing open the car door and getting out.

Her feet had just touched the ground when his voice came from behind.

"See you in Rosewood City."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a certain certainty.

Diana's steps faltered.

She didn't turn around, didn't respond, just grabbed her bag and walked quickly into the terminal.

Diana clutched her boarding pass, her fingertips slightly cold.

See you in Rosewood City.

He said it so naturally, as if there was still some need for them to "see" each other.

Diana bit her lip and quickened her pace toward the security checkpoint.

No.

Once she got back to Rosewood City, everything would be over.

She wouldn't give Ethan any more chances to get close.

...

Meanwhile, at the airport entrance, the black Maybach was still parked in place.

Ethan leaned back in his seat, staring in the direction Diana had disappeared.

A faint fragrance still lingered on the passenger seat.

He reached out and touched that spot, his fingertips pausing on the leather surface for a few seconds.

Then he picked up his phone and called Derek.

"Book me a flight to Rosewood City for tomorrow."

There was a moment of silence on the other end.

"Yes, Mr. Grant. I'll book it right away."

Hanging up the phone, Ethan started the car and drove away from the airport.

Rosewood City, Peninsula Manor.

Diana's car had just turned into the courtyard when the villa's front door was pulled open from inside.

A small figure rushed out, arms spread wide, lunging toward her.

"Mommy!"

Diana immediately crouched down and caught Olivia in her arms.

The little girl's arms hooked tightly around her neck, her whole body clinging to her and refusing to let go.

"Mommy, you're finally back! Liv waited for you for so, so long!"