Chapter 2

That night, I climbed into bed and held the doll tightly against my chest.

The comments started floating by again.

[Hehehe, Ethan’s face must be burning again because Chloe is cuddling him!]

[He gets turned on just by a hug? He has zero self-control. I’m worried for Chloe’s future waist.]

[Wait, the doll doesn't have *that* part, does it? Does that mean we won't get any smut yet?]

[But if she touches that spot, he’ll still feel it, right? Wait, is Chloe reaching down?]

I didn't expect this doll to be so much fun.

I sat up, pretending to inspect the doll. I slipped off its tiny clothes.

Then, I pinched the doll’s little hands.

I squeezed its waist.

Finally, my fingers slowly traced down, lightly brushing the area between the doll’s chubby legs.

[Ahhhhh! Did Ethan just make a sound in his room?!]

[Oh my god, Chloe, you are a natural!]

[Holy crap, Ethan lying in his bed right now must look so hot. He's a basketball player, those abs... those thighs...]

Picturing him in my head, I suddenly felt a wave of heat rushing through my own body.

I didn't push it any further. I just gave the doll a good massage, dressed it back up, and hugged it close as I fell asleep.

Ever since I discovered the doll was connected to Ethan’s senses, I took it everywhere with me.

And I let absolutely no one touch it.

Until one day after school. I was waiting for Ethan so we could walk home together.

Suddenly, a hand snatched the doll right out of my arms.

It was Brooke Ashley, the senior girl I hated the most.

"Pfft, a high schooler still playing with baby toys? How pathetic."

I turned around and saw her violently grabbing the doll by its hair.

My heart stopped. This doll was connected to Ethan!

How could she treat it so roughly?!

[Relax, our male lead is smart. The doll is only bound to Chloe. Even if he touches it himself, he feels nothing.]

[Exactly! He knew other people might touch it, so he locked the sensory link to Chloe only.]

[But Chloe looks like she's about to cry, my poor baby~]

"Give it back!" I snapped.

Knowing the truth from the comments made me feel a bit relieved, but I was still furious.

I wanted to snatch it back, but I was afraid she would rip it.

What if she actually hurt Ethan?

"Wow, you care about this cheap toy that much?"

Brooke examined the doll closely.

"Wait, it kind of looks like Ethan Vance..."

"You carry a doll that looks like Ethan every day. Don't tell me you have a creepy crush on your own stepbrother?"

She raised her voice on purpose. Passersby started to stop and stare.

My face flushed a deep crimson.

"Shut up! You're making things up!"

Suddenly, Ethan’s cold voice cut through the air from behind us.

"What are you guys talking about?"

[Ahhh, Chloe, you tease! You hugged him to sleep every night, making him unable to sleep, and now you’re acting shy!]

[He looks devastated. His hands are literally shaking.]

[Oh lord, he is extremely possessive. Chloe, watch out, you're going to get wrecked in bed later.]

[Hehe, I am so ready for that!]

I turned around.

Ethan’s face was as dark as a thunderstorm.

Oh, he was mad.

Brooke spoke first, her voice turning instantly sweet and victimized.

"Ethan, I just wanted to look at her doll, and she got so aggressive with me."

Seriously? She was playing the victim now?

Before I could speak, Ethan let out a cold laugh.

"That belongs to her. Did you ask for permission before grabbing it?"

"Brooke, you're a senior. Since when did you lose your basic manners?"

"Give it back to her. Now."

Brooke bit her lip, reluctantly handing the doll over.

I didn't reach for it.

"Clean it first, Brooke. Then put it back in my bag."

"It's a Christmas gift from my brother. It’s very precious to me."

Brooke's face flushed. She whispered, "Chloe, don't push it..."

"Pushing it?"

Ethan stepped in, his voice cold enough to freeze water.

"You took my sister's stuff while I wasn't around, and you're calling her difficult?"

He took one step forward.

Just one step, and Brooke stumbled back two.

"Brooke, do you really think I don't know the things you've been doing behind my back?"

Brooke’s face went pale.

I didn't know what Ethan was referring to, but judging by her expression, it was bad.

The surrounding students started whispering.

Biting her tongue, Brooke pulled out a wet wipe, meticulously cleaned the doll, and placed it back in my backpack.

Before leaving, she gave me a murderous glare.

I just smiled back, then turned to Ethan.

"Thanks, Ethan. Don't worry, I will take good care of your doll. I’ll keep it close to me at all times and won't let anyone else touch it."

He stared deep into my eyes.

The tips of his ears turned red again.

Without another word, he turned and walked away.

Watching his retreating back, I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Why are you running, Ethan? I'm not going to eat you.

—At least, not yet.

[Chloe is so teasing! Our male lead is suffering so much.]

[Chloe doesn't know he likes her back, she thinks she's just teasing her brother.]

[When is the confession? I want to see the spicy scenes now!]