Chapter 5

I stared at the star-shaped lights on the ceiling, twinkling brilliantly.

The sunlight outside was bright, yet it couldn't dim these lights. Instead, it made them shine even more radiantly.

Ethan had bought these lights for me. William had installed them.

I had never experienced a father's love growing up.

Ethan's presence became a beacon of light in my life.

Though he was only my stepbrother, I sometimes sensed a paternal warmth from him.

From the moment I first saw Ethan, I thought: if Mom hadn't married William, perhaps Ethan and I could be together.

But Mom had suffered so much for my sake. I couldn't be selfish.

Yet, what if Ethan made the first move?

He took my clothes to do... that. He must feel something for me.

My inner turmoil raged as these chaotic thoughts swirled.

Ethan's voice came through the door.

"Victoria, are you awake?"

I frantically wrapped myself tighter in the blankets.

Cold sweat trickled down my back.

I pretended to still be asleep.

Ethan pushed the door open and entered slowly.

His footsteps echoed, tap-tap-tapping as if walking directly on my heart.

I struggled to relax my facial expression, feigning deep sleep.

Then a broad, soft hand pressed against my forehead.

"Why are you so feverish? Do you have a temperature?"

Hearing this, I couldn't maintain the act any longer.

I slowly opened my eyes, mimicking someone just waking up.

I rubbed my eyes, suppressing my inner panic.

"Brother, what brings you here? It's so warm. Did we forget to turn on the AC?"

Ethan glanced toward the air conditioner and nodded.

"No wonder you're so warm. The AC is off."

He walked over and switched it on.

I breathed a heavy sigh of relief. I had managed to bluff my way through.

Ethan came back and ruffled my hair.

"Get up now. Any more sleep and you won't be able to sleep tonight."

Looking at his distinct, bony fingers, I remembered how they had handled my lingerie.

I couldn't help but nuzzle against his hand.

"Okay."

He smiled slightly.

"Lazy cat. I picked out a movie. Come watch with me."

When I went out, Ethan was drinking milk.

He handed me a glass as well.

Watching him enjoy his drink, my mind wandered to that red stained with white.

Flustered, I took the glass and gulped it down.

I wondered if this milk tasted better, or that milk would...

According to what my best friend described, perhaps that one would be richer.

Seeing me drink, Ethan's expression flickered with something unreadable.

He told me to sit properly and took the glass to clean up.

The movie had already started.

My mind remained fixated on the 'milk,' my heart burning as if on fire.

I had no focus for the film.

As I sat there lost in thought, a wave of drowsiness washed over me.

My eyelids grew heavier and heavier.

Ethan hadn't even returned yet, and I was already asleep.

In my hazy state, I seemed to drift into another absurd dream.

In the dream, Ethan carried me to his bed.

He tenderly called me "baby" and asked me to call him "husband."

He held me tightly, as if wanting to fuse me into his very bones.

I watched Ethan's wild passion, feeling him conquer my body.

I couldn't help but respond, holding him back, following his lead.

We became intimately connected, never to part.