Chapter 12: Calm Before The Storm

What?

That was the only word Lillie could form in her mind.

What? What just happened? What did her father just say?

Living… together? With the man she had just sworn to never be with if he refused to abide by their contract?

What contract? Oh, you mean that useless thing? Yeah, that.

Lillie wanted to explode, to lash out, to demand an explanation, but instead, she bit the inside of her cheek—so hard that the metallic taste of blood seeped onto her tongue.

Yes, that was how angry she was. Yet to the people around her, she appeared as she always did—motionless, expressionless, an impenetrable wall of indifference.

But not to him.

A pair of sharp phoenix eyes had caught the subtle shift in her demeanor. Ethan saw it—the cold fury in her gaze, the barely perceptible tension in her jaw, the faint tremor of her cheek.

Elliot noticed it too, of course. He had been by her side for nine years; there was nothing about her that escaped his attention. Without a word, he retrieved a pristine handkerchief from his breast pocket and handed it to her.

Lillie accepted it, pressing it discreetly to her lips as she absorbed the crimson stain. The punctured flesh stung, but she remained unfazed.

Elliot sighed inwardly. There were only a handful of people who could push his boss to the point of unconscious self-harm.

Meanwhile, Ethan's gaze darkened as it flickered to the man beside his fiancée. His lips curled in barely restrained irritation.

Why had she accepted another man's handkerchief? Why did Elliot know, without being told, exactly what she needed?

Ethan wanted that knowledge. He wanted to be the one who anticipated her every need, the one who understood her without words.

But all he knew for certain… was that she hated him.

"Little flower, are you alright?" Elder Bai's concerned voice broke the heavy silence.

Lillie wiped her lips carefully, folding the handkerchief before slipping it into her pocket. Her face remained unreadable.

"Yes, I must have eaten something foul," she said smoothly, as if the excuse hadn't been conjured in an instant.

Elder Bai sighed and began lecturing her about being mindful of what she ate. Lillie nodded obediently, her expression composed.

Then, as if none of the tension existed, Elder Bai clapped his hands together. "Now, let's discuss the living arrangements. We've bought a new house for you two—an advanced wedding gift."

Lillie's entire body stiffened.

"It was your mother and grandmother's decision," Elder Bai added, his tone almost apologetic. "Please, don't hate your grandfather and father for this."

He didn't agree with the arrangement in the first place. But what could he do? No sane man would willingly throw his granddaughter into a wolf's den.

And yet, here they were.

The wolf in question—Ethan—smirked imperceptibly. The elder women were on his side. He would have to thank them later.

Mrs. Bai grinned sheepishly. "We just want grandchildren soon! Your grandfather would love to meet his great-grandchildren, wouldn't you, dear?"

Lillie shot her mother a murderous glare, opening her mouth to object—

"You wouldn't want to disappoint your poor mother, would you?" Mrs. Bai interjected, her eyes glistening with perfectly timed tears. "I carried you in my belly for nine months, went through agonizing labor, indulged you in everything you wanted, designed all your dresses, bags, and shoes… and now you'd deny me this one wish?"

The 'I did so much for you' card.

Lillie clenched her jaw. She knew her mother would pull this trick, and yet she still fell for it every single time.

I hate you right now, mom.

"Fine," she finally said, her tone measured. "I'll agree to the arrangement—on one condition."

She turned to Ethan, her piercing gaze locking onto his.

"He must promise to follow all my rules. Separate bedrooms are a must."

"Naturally," her father and grandfather said in unison, much to Mrs. Bai and Old Madam Bai's dismay. Ethan sighed, but his smirk never wavered.

"And," Lillie continued, voice firm, "he must swear never to do anything against my morals."

Her icy glare was directed at him alone. Ethan met her gaze with infuriating nonchalance.

"Good enough," Mrs. Bai declared. "Ethan, do you swear?"

"I swear."

Not.

"Now that's settled, let's go check out the house!" Mrs. Bai clapped her hands together excitedly—almost as if she were the one moving in.

"Now?" Lillie and Elliot exchanged glances, both caught off guard. Even Elder Bai and Mr. Bai seemed surprised.

"Of course," Mrs. Bai said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "We've already arranged for your belongings to be moved. The house is fully furnished, so you won't need to buy anything."

Lillie narrowed her eyes. "...Why do I feel like you just want me out of the house?"

"Don't be silly, ma chérie!" Mrs. Bai winked. "You'll come back soon—with our grandchildren, of course!"

Lillie exhaled sharply, resisting the urge to massage her temples. She sometimes wondered where exactly she had inherited her personality from.

Before heading to the new house, Elder Bai invited everyone for lunch. The dining table was set with an exquisite array of dishes—American, Chinese, and French cuisine, fit for an imperial feast.

Each person took their designated seat. At the head of the table, Elder Bai sat with Old Madam Bai to his right and Mr. Bai to his left. Beside Mr. Bai was his wife, then Elliot.

On the other side, opposite Old Madam Bai, sat Lillie. And beside her—much to her dismay—was the one man she wished she could strangle.

Ethan Li.