CHAPTER 17 - THE WORDS LEFT UNSAID .

Chapter seventeen - The Words Left Unsaid.

The next morning, Ethan walked into the dining room expecting to see Haera at the table—but her seat was empty. A faint frown tugged at his brows.

"Where's Haera?" he asked, looking over at Mrs. Lee.

"She didn't come downstairs," Mrs. Lee replied gently as she began to set the table. "I went to check on her earlier. I knocked, but there was no answer. I assumed she was still asleep."

Ethan's jaw tightened with concern.

"Did you go inside?"

"No," she shook her head. "The door was locked."

Ethan hesitated for a moment, then pushed his chair back without even touching his plate.

"No. She's not asleep. She's still upset with me..." he murmured, mostly to himself. Then more firmly, "Take her some food to her room. Please."

He turned and walked out, the guilt weighing heavier with each step.

That afternoon, during lunch, Haera finally came downstairs. But this time, Ethan was nowhere to be found.

"Auntie… won't Ethan come down for lunch?" Haera asked, glancing around the quiet dining room. There was a trace of hope in her voice, like she had expected—maybe even wanted—to see him.

Mrs. Lee looked slightly confused. "Well… he came down for breakfast, but you didn't. He didn't eat, though. I think he assumed you were still mad at him… so maybe he's upset now."

"Upset? At me?" Haera scoffed, eyebrows raised. "Auntie, am I not the one who should be upset? He's the one who lashed out at me! Why should he be sulking?"

Mrs. Lee stayed silent.

"Well, I don't care," Haera snapped, though the slight tremble in her voice gave her away. She turned and walked off without touching her plate.

"Haera—" Mrs. Lee called, trying to stop her. But the girl had already stormed away.

Left alone, Mrs. Lee threw her hands up in the air and sighed deeply. "Oh, dear Lord, please help me," she muttered, pressing her palms together in mock prayer. "I can't stand these two anymore. They come here, fight like cats and dogs, and still refuse to eat. Who's going to finish all this food? I'm sick and tired!"

Later that night, when it was time for dinner, Ethan was the first to come downstairs. He sat quietly at the table, his fingers lightly tapping the edge of his plate as he waited—hoping.

But just as Haera descended the stairs, their eyes met. She froze.

Bitterness flashed across her face.

Then, without saying a word, she turned and rushed back upstairs.

The sight broke Ethan. It pierced him deeper than he expected. Watching her retreat from him—again—was more than he could handle.

Mrs. Lee, who had witnessed the whole thing from the kitchen doorway, walked over and gently patted his back. "Go and talk things out with her," she said softly. "You're married now. If this keeps going, your marriage might not survive."

Ethan looked up at her, eyes clouded with pain.

"I'll fix it," he said, his voice firm with quiet resolve. "I won't stand by and watch this marriage fall apart."

With that, he stood from his chair and made his way upstairs, determined to make things right.

When Ethan reached her door, he hesitated.

His hand hovered in the air, unsure—nervous, even. But after a deep breath, he knocked.

The door opened almost instantly, revealing Haera. Her eyes were puffy, her expression cold.

"What do you want?" she asked harshly.

"Haera… please, can we talk?" Ethan said, his voice gentle, almost pleading.

"Talk?" she scoffed bitterly. "About what exactly, huh? Is it to lash out at me again? Or maybe to doubt me some more?"

Her voice wavered, nearly cracking under the weight of her emotions.

"No, no… please, just listen," Ethan said, stepping slightly forward, the pain in his eyes unmistakable. "I regret it, Haera. I truly do. I shouldn't have doubted you. I was wrong. I'm sorry."

"Ethan…" Her voice broke as tears spilled down her cheeks. "Do you even realize how much it hurt when you looked at me like that? Like I was some stranger? You shattered me. You said you loved me—but then you doubted me the moment things got hard."

She shook her head, wiping her tears.

"It would be better if we separated because…" Her voice trailed off, and she choked on the words.

But before she could finish, Ethan stepped forward and gently grabbed her hand.

"No," he said firmly. "Don't say it."

"Please… please, don't—don't talk about separating," Ethan said, his voice shaking with desperation. "I can't live without you, Haera."

He reached for her hand, gripping it tightly as though afraid she'd vanish if he let go.

"If you leave… I'll become an empty vessel again," he whispered, trembling. "Please… Haera, I really do love you. I'm willing to wait for as long as it takes. But don't leave me. Don't make me lose you."

Haera's gaze faltered. She looked away, biting her lower lip as pain filled her chest.

"Do you think this… this can survive in doubt?" she asked, her voice heavy with emotion. "Ethan, I don't even know if it was right for me to fall in—"

She stopped.

Ethan's eyes widened.

He stepped closer and gently cupped her face in his palms, forcing her to look into his eyes.

"Haera," he said softly, "Did you just admit your feelings for me?"

Her face flushed. She turned her face slightly, trying to pull away, but Ethan held her gently in place.

"N-No… I—I didn't…" she stammered, her breath hitching as her tears spilled again.

Then she broke.

"Yes, I did!" she cried out. "I admit it—I have feelings for you. But I'm scared, Ethan! I'm scared that just one misunderstanding could tear us apart. I'm scared that loving you might lead to pain. I'm scared because I don't want to be hurt again…"

She threw her hands up, frustration and fear pouring from every word. Her body shook with sobs.

Without another word, Ethan pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly by the waist. Then, gently, his lips met hers.

It wasn't rushed. It was warm, desperate, full of promises he couldn't yet voice.

Haera didn't pull away.

In that kiss, she felt the weight of his regret, the depth of his longing, and the sincerity of his love.

Ethan pulled back just slightly, resting his forehead against hers. His breath was uneven.

"I promise," he whispered, "I promise never to doubt you again."

Haera nodded softly.

Ethan gently took her hand and led her into the room, closing the door quietly behind them. The silence between them was heavy with anticipation. He stepped closer, sliding his arms around her waist before leaning in to kiss her once more.

This time, it wasn't rushed or desperate—it was slow, passionate, and full of the tension they had both been holding back for so long. His fingers grazed her skin as they kissed, and his breath came faster, chest rising and falling with emotion. Still, he paused.

"May I?" he whispered, his voice husky, his forehead brushing hers.

Haera hesitated just a second before nodding, biting her lower lip nervously.

With her silent permission, Ethan resumed kissing her—more deeply now. But as his hand slid up and loosened the tie of her robe, his fingers brushing her bare thigh, Haera stopped him.

"Ethan… I… I've never done this before," she admitted, her voice shaking. "I'm a little scared."

He froze. Gently, he cupped her cheek and looked into her eyes with sincerity and tenderness.

"You don't have to be afraid," he murmured. "I'll be gentle… I promise. We'll take it slow."

Her eyes searched his for reassurance. Then she nodded—this time more certain, more trusting.

Ethan smiled softly, then leaned in to kiss her again. He took his time, savoring every touch, every breath. As her robe slipped from her shoulders, he admired her like she was the most delicate thing he'd ever seen. Then, he slowly undressed, never taking his eyes off her.

Lifting her into his arms, he carried her to the bed and laid her down as though placing her among rose petals.

There, under the dim light, Ethan worshipped every part of her with kisses—soft, reverent, and full of longing. Haera responded to his touch, her body shifting instinctively, granting him access to explore her heart and soul.

And when the final moment came, Ethan joined with her slowly—carefully—never rushing, never hurting.

A soft moan escaped Haera's lips, not just from the newness of the experience but from the overwhelming flood of emotion. Ethan held her hand tightly, anchoring her to him with every breath.

In that moment, it wasn't just about physical love—it was something far deeper.

Something sacred.

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💔 Call to Action:

What did you think of Haera's emotional confession and Ethan's vulnerable plea? Do you believe their relationship will finally grow stronger—or is heartbreak still on the horizon? Leave a comment, vote with your power stones, and don't forget to add Love in a Long Suspense to your library!

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📝 Author's Note (Queen Mystery):

This chapter is especially close to my heart. It shows that love isn't always soft—it's messy, terrifying, but sometimes, it leads us to healing. Thank you for reading till the end. If this scene moved you, let me know in the comments. Every vote and review brings this story closer to the "Hot This Week" list on Webnovel. Let's make it happen, my loyal readers 💖

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