Chapter 2

Soon, he was transferred to the recovery place Ethan had prepared earlier.

Just after Simon was moved, a message came from Ethan.

Ethan: [Juliet is back. Cancel Scarlett's surgery. I don't want Juliet getting the wrong idea.]

I smirked. So his dream girl wasn't dead after all.

But he still chose to find a lookalike and force me to get surgery.

I didn't get it, but I didn't ask either, replying in the style I thought Simon would use.

Me: [Got it, Ethan. I'm going abroad for further training for a while. Give Juliet my best.]

Ethan didn't reply.

I changed back into my own clothes. The phone in my pocket was buzzing incessantly.

I answered it. Ethan's cold, harsh voice came through the receiver.

"Come back to the villa and take care of Juliet. If you dare say anything out of line, I'll stop your grandmother's medication!" he snapped.

Before I could say a word, he hung up.

Of course I'd go back. Not only would I 'take good care' of Juliet, I planned to give 'special attention' to Ethan too.

The moment I stepped into the villa, Juliet couldn't wait to mark her territory.

She leaned against Ethan's chest as if she had no bones, smiling faintly at me.

"Miss Hayes, Ethan insisted on finding a caretaker for me, saying I'm too delicate. But I heard you're very good at taking care of people, so I asked him to keep you on. I hope you don't mind?" she asked.

I put on a perfectly standard smile. "Of course not. It would be my honor to serve you."

Juliet seemed taken aback by my response, her face paling slightly.

Ethan, however, nodded approvingly. "It's best if you think that way. From now on, follow Juliet's instructions for everything in the house, understood?"

I lowered my eyes to hide the excitement in them. "Understood, Mr. Ford."

Hearing me call him that, he froze, a flicker of surprise on his face. "Actually, you don't have to call me—"

Before he could finish, Juliet quickly linked her arm with his. "Ethan, let's go to the Nightfall Club later. I still remember our first time was..."

As if suddenly realizing her slip, she coyly covered her mouth, shot me a triumphant glance, then buried her face in Ethan's chest, playfully hitting him.

"Ethan, why didn't you stop me? Miss Hayes is right here," she said in a low voice.

Ethan's attention was successfully diverted again. He dotingly ruffled her hair. "See if you dare blurt things out in public again."

Juliet probably thought their flirting in front of me would sting, but I just found it nauseating.

I was about to head upstairs to my room when Ethan stopped me.

He avoided my gaze. "Your room gets better light. Juliet liked it, so it's been converted into her art studio. You'll stay in the maid's room in the basement for now."

I ignored Juliet's provocative look and went down to the basement.

Once I heard the car start and drive away outside, I took out Simon's phone.

It was connected to the surveillance feed from the recovery house. The cameras he'd installed behind Ethan's back were to monitor me.

He never thought they'd end up being useful to me.

Simon was awake, lying on the bed with vacant eyes, his face bandaged, unable to even get up.

I found it a bit boring and turned off the phone, looking out the window.

It had started raining heavily outside, raindrops hitting the ground and forming countless bubbles.

I always loved rainy days the most.

They always gave me endless inspiration.

The phone ringing again interrupted my thoughts. I answered it.

Heavy, suppressed panting came from the other end.

Ethan grunted. "Scarlett, bring me a pack of strawberry-flavored, ultra-thin condoms."

Before I could speak, he added, "Walk here. If I find out you took a cab, I'll cut off your grandmother's meds."

I was so tired of hearing that line. Yet he kept saying it.

Sending condoms through a rainstorm. A classic trope in love-hate romance novels, and I got to experience it firsthand.

I felt a thrill of excitement. I wouldn't just bring the condoms; I'd thoughtfully prepare some extra surprises too.

I hoped he would like them.