Chapter 15
The Lockwood family’s bodyguards knocked on the door just as Ethan Parker was setting the table in the dining room.
As soon as the door opened, several bodyguards rushed in, but Ethan blocked them.
“Who are you looking for?”
The bodyguards‘ gaze fixed on me, holding a spatula.
Mrs. Lockwood, Mr. Lockwood has asked us to bring you back.”
It had been nearly a year since I’d last heard that title.
For a moment, it felt like a lifetime ago.
“What are you calling her? This is my wife!” Ethan pushed the bodyguards towards the exit, and they exchanged glances.
One of them took out his phone and dialed Carter Lockwood’s number.
“Mr. Lockwood, it seems Mrs. Lockwood has gotten married.”
Carter Lockwood’s arrival was quicker than I had imagined.
In just a few minutes, he was standing at the doorway, his face terrifyingly grim.
The bodyguards made way as Carter tried to push past Ethan, who stood in front of him.
He couldn’t budge him.
“Get him out of my way.” Carter barked at the bodyguards.
“Carter Lockwood, you’re barging into my home, trying to take my wife. Don’t you think that’s inappropriate?” Ethan finally addressed Carter directly. “So the woman in your painting was my wife? I should be the one demanding an explanation, shouldn’t I?”
“What’s there to explain? We’re legally married. She’s my lawful wife.”
Carter let out a cold laugh, his gaze meeting mine from across the room.
“Anna Whitmore, have you grown so bold? Running off to marry someone behind my back? Come back now, and I’ll pretend none of this ever happened.”
He extended a hand in my direction.
In the past, whenever he reached out, I would always take his hand without hesitation.
But this time, I didn’t move.
“Carter Lockwood. I’ve already returned your ring. We’re even now.”
“Even? The Lockwood family raised you, and you think you can sever ties with a simple ‘we’re even‘? Anna Whitmore, are you out of your mind?” Carter’s eyes were bloodshot. Ethan was caught off guard as Carter pushed past him.
He grabbed my hand, his grip so tight I thought he might break my wrist.
“You’re going to divorce him right now. Isn’t this what you wanted? To marry me? Once the divorce is final, we’ll get our marriage certificate.” With my free hand, I slapped Carter Lockwood across the face.
Everyone in the room froze.
Carter seemed to take a long moment to process what I’d done.
“Carter Lockwood, have you lost your mind? I’ve already left the Lockwood family, and I don’t want that marriage certificate anymore. I’m gone, so take whoever you want back with you. Why can’t we just let each other go?”
“Why should I let you go? You were raised by the Lockwood family. You’ll die a Lockwood if I have anything to say about it.”
Carter suddenly lifted me up, but as he reached the door, he was blocked by the Parker family’s bodyguards who had just exited the elevator.
“Mr. Lockwood, if you dare take her away today. I’ll charge you with kidnapping. You don’t think I’m incapable of protecting my own wife, do you?”
I was still in shock.
This was a scenario I had never imagined.
I thought when I left, Carter would feel relieved. I thought when I suggested we part ways, he might even be happy.
So why was he putting on this act now? Who was it for?
It wasn’t clear which side’s bodyguards threw the first punch, but soon the scene descended into chaos.
Ethan also joined the fray, trading blows with Carter.
Fortunately, Ethan came out on top.
But his left cheek had taken a punch from Carter and looked quite serious.
“Mr. Lockwood, you’re getting on in years. Fighting isn’t really suitable for you anymore. You should know better than to push yourself.”
I tugged at Ethan’s sleeve, worried Carter might retaliate later.
Carter had never fought anyone from childhood to adulthood, and now he looked so disheveled.
Several bodyguards were also sporting injuries.
“Help him back home,” I said. “And don’t come looking for me again.”
I pulled Ethan back into the apartment.
He covered his face, frowning. “Honey, he hits hard. Quick, check if my face is ruined?”
I took out the first aid kit. “Don’t call me that. Let me put some antiseptic on it.”
As I leaned in close, he suddenly turned and kissed me on the lips.
“That’s much more effective than medicine. You didn’t object when I called you my wife in front of Carter earlier.”
I shoved the iodine solution into his hand.
“You said before that we were just getting a marriage certificate, not really getting married.”
Ethan grinned triumphantly.
“I just wanted to secure my legal status first, so Carter couldn’t snatch you away.”
“You tricked me into marriage!”
“Well, I traded going back to work at the company for my freedom to marry. If it’s a trick, I’ve committed my whole life to it. If you divorce me now, I’ll lose my wife and have to work at the company for the rest of my life. How tragic.”
I finally understood why he had said it was his last art exhibit.
I poked his injured cheek.
“Are you crazy?”
“Mm–hmm. So don’t leave me. At least I can spend the rest of my life in bittersweet happiness.”
I nodded, and Ethan pushed his luck further.
“Honey, can I kiss you properly now?”
Before I could answer, his lips were on mine,
Things quickly spiraled out of control, with Ethan like a child finally given free rein with his favorite treat.
By the time I thought to push him away, I had already melted into a puddle.
“Ethan, don’t…”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be gentle…”
In my dazed state, I finally understood what Ethan meant about his stamina.
Ethan Parker helped me move to a new place.
