Substitute Bride: Utterly Pampered by Her Billionaire Husband

Chapter 1449: Playing Innocent?

Although Ethan Barnes really wanted to give in to his desires, he held back when he saw Celeste Linden’s frail condition.

He lay back down, holding Celeste in his arms, and closed his eyes.

...

Celeste Linden woke up. It seemed like she had been asleep for a long time, initially feeling hot and cold, tormented by alternating chills and fever. Later, she felt as if she was inside a furnace, her limbs slowly warming up, becoming incredibly comfortable.

Celeste snuggled deeper into the man’s embrace.

But the next second, she opened her eyes. Something was wrong; she seemed to be sleeping in someone’s arms.

Before her eyes was Ethan Barnes’s handsome and unruly face. He was sleeping beside her, still not awake. His usual sharp demeanor was gone, leaving him looking unguarded and youthful, quite a sight to behold.

Ethan had spent the night at her place many times, but it was the first time they had slept in each other’s arms until morning. So, Celeste was momentarily stunned.

Soon, she moved, wanting to leave this man.

But the strong arm around her waist suddenly tightened. Ethan’s lazy voice echoed, "Don’t move, stay with me for a while longer."

He was awake, yet he didn’t open his eyes.

He was born into a life of licking blood off the blades, sleeping lightly. Although this sleep was good, her movement woke him immediately.

Recalling what happened last night, Celeste frowned, "You sleep yourself. I’m getting up."

Ethan opened his eyes and looked down at her, "Ungrateful little thing, I took care of you all night, went to bed late, and now that you’re better, you want to kick me out. Truly realistic."

He took care of her all night?

Celeste had no idea what had happened. When she was unconscious last night, she had a terrible nightmare filled with his demonic shadow, guessing he wouldn’t take care of people, much less torment her.

"You don’t believe it? Let me tell you, I even helped you change into your pajamas."

What?

Celeste immediately covered her collar with her hand; she was indeed wearing different pajamas, "You... you pervert? You have so many maids, couldn’t you ask them to help me change instead? What’s wrong with you and your twisted hobbies?"

Ethan wasn’t angry; he raised an eyebrow, as if it was only natural, "Those maids are here to serve me. Who told them to serve you?"

"..." Sure, sure, she was no different from those maids, except she was an extra bed warmer, unable to order those maids around.

"Let me go, I’m getting up."

Ethan reached out to touch her forehead, it was no longer hot, and seeing her sharp and eloquent demeanor, she seemed to be in good spirits, evidently recovered, "Since you’re better, can we continue what we didn’t finish last night?"

"What didn’t we finish?" Celeste didn’t understand for a moment, looking at him blankly.

"Playing innocent? Do you think I buy that act?"

"..." Celeste’s head exploded, "You beast, I just got better, my body’s still weak, and you can’t wait to fulfill your desires!"

"Celeste, you should be grateful. If I were a beast, I wouldn’t have let you go last night!"

Celeste was speechless.

At that moment, Ethan turned over and pressed down on her.

Celeste struggled to push him, but she couldn’t budge him. She could only resign herself, unable to escape, but she opened her mouth in anger and bit down on Ethan’s shoulder.

Ethan winced in pain, feeling a surge of heat through his veins, "You little thing, you’ll regret this!"

...

Ethan went to the bathroom for a shower, and then came out, while Celeste lay in bed, curled under the covers.

"Celeste, time to get up, didn’t you say earlier you were getting up? Why are you lazing around now?"

Celeste turned her back to him, ignoring him.

Ethan reached out to pull off her blanket.

Celeste was very angry and impatient, reaching out to smack him, "You should be satisfied, stop bothering me!"

Just then, Ethan’s handsome face came closer, and Celeste’s smack landed right on his face.

Smack.

The crisp sound of the slap rang out, both of them were stunned.

Ethan was used to being domineering and formidable; no one ever dared to slap his face, not even Carlotta did, yet he had already been slapped by Celeste twice, oh, maybe three times... he couldn’t remember.

Seeing Ethan’s suddenly darkened expression, Celeste froze too. She didn’t mean to slap him, it just happened.

He had so many ways to torment people; she couldn’t just pluck a tiger’s whiskers for no reason.

But what’s done is done, and Celeste couldn’t bring herself to apologize. If he hadn’t acted like a beast, would he have been hit?

"Celeste Linden, you’ve really become bolder lately, don’t you know any manners!" Ethan reprimanded in a low voice.

Celeste "hmphed" and continued to turn away from him.

Ethan was really angry, "Fine, just lie there, I’m leaving!"

Ethan got up and left, slamming the door behind him.

Good riddance.

Celeste closed her eyes, enjoying the peace.

But soon a maid came knocking, "Miss Linden, it’s time for breakfast."

Celeste didn’t move, "I’m not hungry, don’t want to eat."

The maid continued, "Miss Linden, the master mentioned there’s an important guest visiting today, seems like... the Young Master Morgan Ashworth..."

What?

Celeste’s eyes snapped open; her brother Miles Linden was coming.

"Miss Linden, the master said if you don’t eat breakfast, you won’t need to come down to greet the guests; you can stay in your room to rest."

Celeste threw off her blankets and got out of bed, "Where’s breakfast? I’m eating, I’m starving!"

...

Celeste ate a lot for breakfast, filling her stomach until it was round and full.

She walked downstairs and soon saw two familiar figures in the living room; Morgan Ashworth and Willow Crawford had arrived.

Celeste’s face lit up with joy, quickly descending the stairs, "Miles, Willow, you’re here?"

"Sister Celeste, are you okay?" Willow approached, holding Celeste’s hand in concern.

Celeste nodded sincerely; she was truly happy, "I’m fine, really."

Morgan Ashworth also came over, calling out, "Sister."

Though he wasn’t her blood brother, the years of relying on each other were genuine, making their bond closer than real siblings.

Celeste’s pale eyes reddened with emotion; over the years, her brother had grown up, making her feel proud.

Ethan watched Celeste’s reddened eyes and the happiness she showed at this moment, feeling a bit upset. She had never been this happy in front of him—wasn’t he good to her?

He always provided her with good food and drinks, cared for her when she was sick, accepted her slaps when she was unhappy. What did he lack? Ethan was genuinely puzzled.