### Chapter 4: Do You Want To Take A Shower First? As Janet's brow furrowed in confusion, Ethan followed her gaze and spotted his watch resting on the table. A moment of realization washed over him; her expression spoke volumes. Leaning closer, he whispered conspiratorially in her ear, “This isn’t the expensive model you’re thinking of. It’s a knock-off I borrowed from a friend for a bit of flair,” he confessed, a playful smile dancing on his lips. “I didn’t think you’d notice so soon.” With a swift motion, he slipped the watch into his pocket, a gesture of nonchalance. “It looks real,” Janet replied, a hint of a smile breaking through as she took a step back, her cheeks warm with embarrassment. Ethan leaned closer still, his breath sending a shiver down her spine. The proximity ignited a strange flutter in her chest. A fleeting thought struck her: it wasn’t unusual for someone like Ethan to have connections with street vendors who dealt in replicas, and a wave of relief washed over her. For a moment, she had entertained darker suspicions—imagining Ethan entangled in some illicit scheme for riches. Yet, his brow knitted with concern as he observed her reaction. He had heard whispers about the Lind family’s daughter, known for her rotating parade of suitors, yet her bashfulness caught him off guard. Just then, a melodious voice disrupted the moment. “The groom is here! Why hasn’t the wedding begun?” Jocelyn, with a beaming smile, strolled in, her arm linked with that of her boyfriend. “Let me introduce you to my boyfriend while we’re at it,” she said, elevating her voice a notch as if reveling in the attention. “This is Steve Carter, the pride of the Carter family. We’re practically family. Remember, Steve and I are always here to assist you.” Steve, suddenly the center of attention, bowed his head shyly, his gaze avoiding Janet’s. Janet, unfazed by his presence, feigned boredom as she replied, “Nice introduction, Jocelyn. But your current boyfriend seems quite different from the one I met last week. Are you sure you’ll still be with him by next week?” In an instant, Steve’s forced smile faltered, a flicker of discomfort crossing his features. With a face turning crimson, Jocelyn shot Janet a glare filled with venom before hastily shifting the conversation. “Anyway, if you’re interested, I can put in a word for Ethan at the Carter family’s company. I’m sure there’s a job waiting for him—even if it’s just mopping floors or cleaning toilets. After all, it’s better than being a house husband with nothing to do after marriage.” Janet cast a swift, anxious glance at Ethan, unsure of how he would react to Jocelyn’s derogatory remarks. To her surprise, he merely responded with a warm, easy smile, waving off the comment as if it were no more significant than a wisp of smoke. “No, thanks. I actually enjoy wandering around outside.” Jocelyn's expression darkened with disappointment, and with a huff, she retreated to her seat, dragging Steve along like a sulking puppy. Before long, the priest arrived, hastily guiding the couple through the marriage ceremony, tensions palpable in the air. Afterwards, Ethan led Janet to a quaint little house on the outskirts of town. The place, small and somewhat dilapidated, seemed to wear its age like a badge, but at least it was theirs—a sanctuary of sorts after their whirlwind of a day. Inside, it was sparsely furnished with only the bare essentials, likely gathered hastily for the wedding. With his tall, muscular frame entering the cluttered space, it somehow felt even smaller. It was evident that Ethan was not swimming in luxury and had barely scraped by. “This is my home,” he shrugged, his voice casual, as if the lack of opulence eluded him. “Make yourself comfortable.” “Sure, it's a small house, but it’s tidy and can fit us just fine,” Janet remarked earnestly. Despite its humble façade, he had clearly taken care in maintaining it. The yard was neat, and the interiors were spotless. Yet, it felt disappointingly empty—as if it lacked the warmth of a true home, likely due to Ethan's infrequent stays. As she began to explore, her gaze followed Ethan as he shrugged off his suit jacket and hung it over a wooden chair. He started unbuttoning his crisp white shirt, revealing the sculpted muscles beneath. The sight made her heart race—not from mere attraction, but from an unbidden curiosity about the man before her. Sensing her gaze, Ethan turned towards her, his eyes locking onto hers, a flicker of concern dancing across his features. “You’ve been busy all day. Do you want to shower first?” he asked, his tone gentle yet filled with genuine care. In that moment, amidst the remnants of the day’s chaos, a spark flickered between them, igniting an unspoken connection in the quiet of their new life together.