Substitute Bride: Utterly Pampered by Her Billionaire Husband Chapter 1504: His Weakness

Celeste Linden didn’t make a sound; she wouldn’t seek her presence in such inappropriate occasions, so she returned to her room.

After seeing Carlotta today, Celeste felt that her hope of leaving here grew a bit bigger. Carlotta surely wouldn’t want to see her, and Ethan Barnes would let her go, right?

Definitely.

In the blink of an eye, it had been half a month, and Celeste enjoyed the quietest, most relaxing days she’d ever had. Ethan was busy taking care of Carlotta and hadn’t set foot in her room even once. It was as if he had forgotten her existence.

That day, Celeste left her room to take a stroll in the back garden.

At that moment, Ethan happened to be taking Carlotta for a walk in the back garden as well. Carlotta’s body was very delicate, covered in Ethan’s coat, looking like she might fall with the slightest breeze.

"Ethan, the weather is so nice today," Carlotta’s voice was very soft and tender.

Ethan held her small hand and spoke softly, "Yes, you just recovered from a high fever that lasted several days. You need to get more fresh air and sunshine. Once you’re better, I’ll take you traveling, to see this great country."

"Really?" Carlotta’s eyes lit up.

"Of course it’s true, Carlotta. When have I ever lied to you?" Ethan gently tapped her nose with his finger.

Celeste hadn’t expected to encounter them like this. It was her first time seeing this side of Ethan. He was so tender and indulgent with Carlotta, even lowering his voice to avoid frightening her. His cautious protection and care were so apparent.

So this cold-hearted devil had such a side as well.

This side of him only blossomed for Carlotta.

Celeste contemplated whether she should hide; this encounter felt quite awkward. She turned to leave.

But at that moment, Carlotta lifted her head and directly saw Celeste about to leave. She immediately spoke out, "Ethan, who is that?"

"..." Celeste had no choice but to stop and turn to face Ethan and Carlotta.

Ethan looked up, and his cold, displeased gaze landed on Celeste’s face. Clearly, he didn’t want to see her now. She was like an intruder that had suddenly entered the world he shared with Carlotta.

Celeste felt a bit speechless. She hadn’t checked the calendar before going out today, but they would have met sooner or later.

Celeste watched Ethan, eager to see how he would respond to this question.

This man, even if his love still remained, his body was no longer pure. He had another woman. Celeste was curious if he could honestly tell Carlotta everything, if he ever regretted for even a second.

"Ethan, why aren’t you speaking?" Carlotta looked at Celeste in confusion, then back at Ethan.

Ethan furrowed his brows, then pressed his lips together, "She’s my..."

"I’m his cousin," Celeste interjected.

"Cousin? Ethan, I’ve never heard you mention having a cousin before."

"Miss Carlotta, I’m indeed his cousin. I grew up in the countryside, so you never knew I existed. Recently, my family met some troubles, so I came to seek my cousin’s help."

Celeste smiled, "Miss Carlotta, I’ve heard my cousin talk about you for a long time. He loves you very much and has always been devoted to you, never forgetting you. It’s great that you’re back. When can I start calling you sister-in-law?"

Hearing this, Carlotta’s face immediately turned a shy red, and she believed Celeste’s words. "Ethan, your cousin is teasing me."

Carlotta buried her blushing face in Ethan’s chest.

Ethan looked at the candid and graceful Celeste, his eyes deep, making it hard to discern his thoughts.

At this point, Celeste continued, "Cousin, I’ve stayed with you for a few days; it’s time for me to go back, or else... I might intrude on you and Miss Carlotta. Cousin, don’t you think so?"

Compared to watching Ethan’s reaction, Celeste wanted to escape from here. Now was the perfect opportunity, and she seized it.

Her implication was clear; if he didn’t let her go, she might reveal their affair to Carlotta, and he would have to bear the consequences.

Ethan saw her intentions clearly, and he coldly curled his lips, "Fine, I’ll have someone buy your return ticket."

Was he agreeing?

It seemed he was agreeing for now.

But Celeste didn’t dare to relax her vigilance; she feared he might regret it later.

Carlotta believed Celeste was Ethan’s cousin, so she proactively approached Celeste, and they sat in the living room chatting, "Cousin, I’ve been apart from your cousin for many years. Can you tell me what’s happened to him during those years?"

Seeing Carlotta’s pure demeanor, Celeste felt deeply guilty. She was deceiving this innocent girl.

But she had no choice, and freeing herself from Ethan was good for her.

Celeste glanced at Ethan sitting on the opposite sofa, "Miss Carlotta, you want to know... if during these years, my cousin ever dated another woman, right?"

Carlotta blushed, having had her thoughts exposed.

Celeste wanted to tell her the truth. Yes, your first love is like a demon who destroyed a girl’s life, giving her a hellish existence. He had once cruelly tormented that girl’s body, finding joy in it.

But Celeste held back. She couldn’t bear to hurt Carlotta, and speaking out would mean a dead end for her.

"Of course not. My cousin’s love for you is as strong as gold; he doesn’t even glance at other girls," Celeste lied through her teeth.

Carlotta was immediately overjoyed. "That’s good to hear."

Just then, the doctor arrived to take Carlotta back to her room for a check-up.

Celeste wanted to follow, but suddenly her slender wrist was seized, grabbed by Ethan.

Celeste looked up at his deep-set eyes and said coldly, "Let go, or your Carlotta might misunderstand if she sees this."

Ethan didn’t release her. Instead, he tightened his grip. "Celeste, what are you trying to play now?"

"That depends on your sincerity. If you let me leave, I’ll pretend I never knew you and won’t say a word to Carlotta. But if you don’t let me go, I can’t guarantee that one day I won’t slip up, letting Carlotta know her dear Ethan had once been with another woman. Do you think the delicate Carlotta can handle that?"

As soon as Celeste finished speaking, she felt a piercing pain in her wrist because Ethan had deliberately tightened his grip to hurt her.

"Celeste, do you think you can hold something over me like this?"

Celeste looked at him, "You like Carlotta so much, isn’t... Carlotta your weakness?"