Chapter 5

I texted back, pretending to complain:

[I'm just worried you'll show me something ugly.]

[Don't bother me today, or I'll block you.]

Ethan immediately went quiet.

I accepted his transfer and put my phone away.

But the moment midnight struck, Ethan, like a clockwork puppy, sent a voice note.

"Babe, are you asleep?"

"What else do you want to see? I can show you right now."

"Please don't ignore me."

"Can I marry you? Please?"

"Mistress, I beg you, just reply to me..."

Working late to fix the proposal, I was initially filled with annoyance.

But hearing Ethan practically crying, begging to marry me...

My heart melted.

My frustration evaporated.

I texted: [Do you really want to marry me?]

Ethan's voice was raspy but incredibly firm:

"I do."

"Even though we've never met."

"These past two years with you have been the happiest times of my life."

"Let's meet up, babe."

"Let's get married. Let me take care of you for the rest of my life."

My ears burned.

My heart softened completely.

Even though Ethan was a toxic jerk at work, considering his face, his wealth... and how incredibly clingy he was...

This was actually a fantastic deal.

I smiled and replied: [Okay, I got it.]

But I needed to get this stupid proposal approved first before our big reveal.

Ethan was overjoyed.

The next morning, I walked into Ethan's office with my fifth draft.

Ethan frowned at his screen.

"Are you sure this isn't the exact same draft from yesterday's meeting?"

My heart stopped. I leaned in to look.

No way. I stayed up until 3 AM for this!

Ethan's face was cold, and the air in the room felt heavy.

I nervously played with the hem of my shirt.

"...I can... go back and adjust the details?"

But honestly, I was out of ideas.

Ethan glanced at me.

"No need."

I blinked, surprised. Was he really letting me off the hook so easily?

Did my sweet texts last night put him in a good mood?

But before I could celebrate, Ethan poured a bucket of ice water over my head. "Rewrite it from scratch."

He sneered, his voice freezing cold. "If you bring me this kind of garbage again, you can walk out of my team yourself."

My brain went numb.

He was literally firing me.

What about my rent?!

He had promised to protect me last night, and now he was the one driving me insane!

I couldn't take it anymore.

I slammed my hands on his desk and yelled, "Ethan Reed! Are you seriously going to fire your own wife?!"

Ethan froze, snapping his head up to glare at me.