Jade Quinn was getting impatient—so impatient it almost hummed beneath her skin. All she wanted was one simple thing: to cultivate her relationship with her man. Her man. The thought felt intoxicating, a warm sweetness swirling through her like she had swallowed sunlight.
But when she opened her mouth, what came out shocked even her.
"Trash."
The word slipped out too easily, almost casually. Yet its effect was immediate. Lila Quinn froze, staring at Jade with disbelief—as if Jade had just slapped her across the face.
It was too obvious what Jade meant, and Lila knew it. It wasn't vague, it wasn't accidental, and it definitely wasn't forgivable.
"E-Ethan…" Lila whispered, her voice trembling like freshly poured water. She turned desperately toward Ethan Ford, hoping—praying—that he would help her. After all, Jade's words were too much for her fragile pride.
But Ethan only turned his head slowly, ignoring Lila completely. Instead, he reached for the small hand wrapped around his neck—the small, soft hand belonging to Jade. He lifted it to his lips and pressed a gentle kiss against her knuckles.
Warmth. Coolness. Her scent.
He breathed it in as though grounding himself.
None of it felt real.
"Get out." Ethan didn't look at Lila. His voice was flat. Cold. Annoyed, even. "You heard her."
Earlier, Jade had told her to leave. There was no reason for him to keep her here.
The only reason Lila ever stepped foot into this house was because Jade had been foolish enough to give her the door key.
"B-Brother Ethan…" Lila's eyes glittered with tears that clung to her lashes. Her voice softened, becoming pitiful, trembling, delicate—everything she thought men found irresistible.
Ethan remained unmoved.
Jade raised a brow, leaning in Ethan's lap as comfortably as she pleased. "I don't know if you're deaf, blind, or just shameless," she said, her patience thinning. "Are you here to embarrass yourself or to watch us be affectionate?"
Even after Ethan told her to leave, she still wasn't going.
Jade let out a soft sigh, tapping her fingers lazily on her shoulder. "Never mind. Stay if you want." Her lips curled in a teasing smirk. "I don't mind an audience."
She slid one slender finger beneath the collar of her oversized white shirt, hooking it lightly until half her delicate shoulder slipped out. Smooth. Pale. Alluring.
A warning. Or a demonstration.
Either way, Lila's breath hitched sharply. Her cheeks burned red, and she stumbled back two steps—like she was witnessing a crime. Her face twisted, and she finally turned and fled from the villa in a panic.
The slam of the door echoed behind her.
"Finally." Jade exhaled in relief, sagging slightly. "She was clinging like glue."
But before her muscles could relax, a shadow fell over her face. Ethan's face. Familiar, yet somehow unfamiliar in the way he was looking at her now.
"What… what are you doing?" Jade swallowed, her heartbeat stuttering uncontrollably. Ethan's face was so close—too close, dangerously close.
God. How was he so handsome? Criminally handsome. Had her previous brain been kicked by a goat or slammed in a door hinge to abandon such perfection for a random guy outside?
His thin lips curved slightly, expression unreadable.
"You said you were in love."
His fingers closed around her wrist, guiding her hand to the knot of his tie. Then he stilled… waiting. Quiet. Patient. Expectant.
He wanted to know if everything she said earlier was true or just an act.
Jade blinked rapidly. "Hm… Yes, well. Your tie is tied very well."
She straightened it, pretending to be calm while her heartbeat tried to escape her chest. She licked her lips nervously—a mistake, because Ethan's eyes darkened instantly.
"Is everything you said true, Jade?" he asked, his voice low, deep, almost dangerous. "You've changed overnight. I can't read you."
He could read anyone. Break them down with a glance. But not Jade. Never Jade.
"What… what is true?" she mumbled, acting clueless.
Ethan gave a soft chuckle—low, effortless, and devastatingly charming. The sound hit Jade's heart like a hammer wrapped in velvet.
Damn. Her man was too perfect.
"Ethan," Jade said softly, meeting his gaze. "Before… I was foolish. Blind. I thought Lila treated me well, but now I see clearly. Only you…"
Her voice paused. In her mind, she saw flames. Bombs. Blood. A man calling her name—softly, painfully.
Her throat tightened.
"Only you truly cared for me," she whispered.
Ethan froze, stunned. Today had already deviated so far from normal that even he couldn't predict anything anymore.
"Is this another trick?" he asked quietly.
She had compromised before—only to chase Adrian Fang. Now Ethan feared she would repeat the same history.
And even then… a part of him felt it would be worth it.
"No!" Jade quickly shook her head. "This isn't a trick. I've really regained my senses."
Everything was too surreal for both of them. So neither pushed the matter.
"If you don't believe me," Jade added, puffing her cheeks slightly, "I'll… I'll drink milk every day!"
Ethan lifted a brow.
She hated milk more than anything.
Smart as he was, even he couldn't tell now what was real or fake.
"Breakfast first," Ethan finally said, turning toward the dining table.
Aunt Fan had prepared everything early: toast, ham sausages, fresh imported cream, and—of course—two boxes of milk.
Jade leaned her elbows on the table lazily, one slender calf swinging in the air. She couldn't eat. She was too excited, too aware of him.
"Eat." Ethan glanced at her.
She stared straight at him, her eyes soft and misty like stars floating in warm water.
"Feed me," she whispered, scooting her chair until their knees touched.
His trousers against her bare calf.
Ethan's breath hitched. His eyes darkened.
He grabbed her waist gently, tightening just enough to pull her closer. "Jade… you're tempting me."
Her stomach growled loudly.
She blinked, confused. "I just don't want to eat…"
Ethan exhaled a shaky breath. "If you keep this up, I won't make it to work."
"Oh! Right—work!" Jade pointed at the wall clock. "It's already 7:30. Aren't you going to be late?"
"It doesn't matter." He sat back, lips curling slightly. "I'm the CEO."
Her heart skipped. That confidence—ugh, she loved it.
"But I'm going to be late for class," Jade said casually.
The atmosphere shattered.
Ethan's expression turned icy instantly. "Class?"
"Yes. I'm a student at Peng University. My job is to attend classes." She kept her voice innocent.
She knew why he reacted this way.
In the past, she went to class only to see Adrian Fang.
But now? She was there to graduate. To complete what she never got to in her last life. To face the people she needed to face.
Peng University didn't bow to anyone. Not even the Ford family or the Quinn family. But Jade didn't need special treatment.
She could graduate with her own strength.
"Impossible," Ethan said coldly, anger flickering in his eyes.
"Ethan," Jade said softly, lifting her hand to touch his cheek. "I'm going there to study. When I bring you a gold-embossed graduation certificate, you'll have more face. Jade Quinn won't embarrass you."