Substitute Bride: Utterly Pampered by Her Billionaire Husband Chapter 1479: He’s With Another Woman

Upon receiving the late-night news, Celeste Linden hurried to Morgan Ashworth's residence immediately.

Morgan had just arrived back, but he was not alone; the lovely and gentle Wesley Kingsley was by his side.

Celeste was unaware of the situation between her brother and Willow Crawford, but seeing Morgan with Wesley while Willow was still pregnant ignited Celeste's fury. "Brother," she called out.

Morgan approached. Having ingested the third pill, his health was restored, yet his demeanor was distant, exuding a profound chill, as if all warmth had departed him. "Sister," he replied.

Celeste cast a look at Wesley. "Who is she?"

Morgan's expression remained impassive. His thin lips parted, and he stated indifferently, "The young lady from the Kingsley family, my intended bride."

"What?" Celeste's pupils contracted sharply. "Miles, have you lost your mind? You and Willow..."

Morgan cut her off directly. "I do not wish to hear that name again. It is over between us."

Celeste raised her hand and struck Morgan across the face.

Smack.

Morgan did not evade the blow, his entire face turning aside from the impact.

At this moment, Wesley rushed forward, her expression filled with pain as she observed the red mark on Morgan's face. "Miss Linden, please do not strike Young Master Ashworth again. He did nothing to wrong Willow; it was she who abandoned him first. Do you not feel heartache seeing Young Master Ashworth's narrow escape from death? Willow is the one who is callous and cold-hearted. She is simply not worth it!"

Celeste observed Morgan. His complexion was indeed poor, appearing as if he had just recovered from a severe illness. While everything about him seemed unchanged, yet everything felt different. As his older sister, Celeste's heart ached profoundly.

"Miles, given that matters between you two have reached this point, I cannot alter them. However, Willow is still carrying your child. In the future, I hope you will embrace your responsibility as a father. I hope you will be a good dad." Having spoken, Celeste turned and departed.

Morgan made no move to follow her, nor did he utter another word. A veil of quiet solitude descended upon him, akin to a pool of stagnant, lifeless water.

...

Celeste returned and confined herself to her room, refusing to emerge. Five years prior, how wonderful those times had been. Back then, the young Miles Linden and the young Willow Crawford had met, grown to understand each other, and fallen in love. She had witnessed it herself.

But as time sped by, she could not witness the fulfillment of these lovers; instead, she saw their rupture, a reality that caused her immense pain.

It truly made her heart ache desperately.

Just then, a soft "knock, knock" sounded at the door. A maid entered, holding a sheer nightgown. "Miss Linden, the master has stated he will be staying over tonight. Please prepare for a bath and change of clothes."

Still lost in her sorrow, Celeste felt a surge of disgust. Ethan Barnes not only selected a companion each night but also insisted on this ritual of bathing and changing clothes, as if he aspired to be some ancient monarch.

Having experienced marriage and subsequent divorce, Celeste had once fallen into despair, believing her life would forever remain in such a state. However, her fighting spirit had now been reignited; she neither wished to nor would she surrender to destiny.

She longed to escape this place.

Even if escape proved impossible, she would sooner endure the status of an abandoned consort than suffer Ethan's nightly repulsion.

Ever since she had moved in, he had almost chosen to stay overnight in her quarters every single night.

"Leave the clothes here."

Held in favor, Celeste was accorded the utmost respect, and even the maids treated her with deference. "Yes, Miss Linden. I shall prepare a rose milk bath."

As the maid retreated into the bathroom, Celeste was deep in deliberation when she suddenly felt a warmth emanating from below—her menstrual cycle had begun.

Excellent! She was on her period!

This was the most joyous occurrence that had befallen her recently—she could anticipate a few days of peace, free from the obligation of attending to Ethan.

Ethan consistently returned very late each day due to his demanding official duties. Upon his arrival, he would proceed directly to Celeste's room.

Opening the door, he found the room bathed in a dim light. Celeste stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, enveloped in a white robe. She possessed a gentle and exquisite grace, reminiscent of a gentle breeze in early March. Whenever Ethan returned under the starry sky and saw her quietly sketching on the carpet or standing serenely like this, all his fatigue would dissolve, and his soul felt utterly cleansed.

He had never experienced such a feeling with any other woman; it was exclusively with Celeste Linden.

A person of such gentle beauty likely held an irresistible charm. For someone like Ethan, who had navigated through dire circumstances and darkness, to be drawn to Celeste seemed nothing short of destiny.

Ethan strode towards her and embraced her from behind. "What are you pondering so deeply about?"

Celeste had long understood his nature; he responded to gentle persuasion rather than outright defiance. Anyone who opposed him risked having their bones shattered.

She herself had experienced such a fate once.

Having no desire to relive that torment, Celeste now prioritized her own well-being, recognizing that self-love was the foundation for loving others. Therefore, she relaxed her posture and said, "I paid my brother a visit today, but it appears he is currently with Wesley Kingsley."

Ethan nestled his face into her long tresses, drawing in a deep breath. Her scent was intoxicating. "Mm... Your brother and Wesley being together was always inevitable," he murmured.

Even Ethan acknowledged it, and Celeste knew the situation was beyond her ability to alter.

At that precise moment, Ethan's hands began to roam suggestively. "Have you finished bathing? You carry such a delightful fragrance."

"Indeed, I have," Celeste replied, turning to embrace him, her eyes playfully sparkling. "Have you not yet showered? Would you... like me to assist you?"

Ethan's eyes widened in genuine surprise. For a considerable time, she had been neither warm nor cold towards him, never initiating any form of intimacy. While she never outright refused his advances, she remained consistently passive.

This was entirely unprecedented; she had actually volunteered to help him bathe.

Ethan brought her delicate hand to his lips and planted a soft kiss upon it. "What has put you in such a jovial mood today? Are you perhaps toying with me?"

"Not at all. I simply saw my brother and was reminded of how volatile men's affections can be. One moment they are consumed by love, the next they have moved on. King Hayden, do you not concur? Would your Carlotta not be resting peacefully beneath the earth, free from any anger?"

As predicted, Ethan recognized her hidden agenda, broaching the sensitive subject of Carlotta, his forbidden topic, at such an intimate moment.

Ethan let out a dismissive snort, deftly evading the subject of Carlotta. "You offered to help me bathe. I won't allow you to renege on that promise."

With that, Ethan scooped her into his arms and carried her towards the bathroom.

He never spoke of the 'white moonlight' figure in his heart, and a sudden realization dawned on Celeste: he might possess a deeply sentimental nature.