Private Marriage, Secret Love-Chapter 26: Save Him

Raina was at a loss for words.

Ethan Lancaster studied her expression. "He had a video of you. This is just a little something in return. Since when are you so merciful?"

’This isn’t the same thing at all.’

Raina saw the woman unbutton one of Miles Hawthorne’s buttons. He remained completely still. Her fists clenched, then relaxed. "Ethan Lancaster, if a woman were lying here, she could sue us when she woke up. The same goes for Miles Hawthorne."

"Then let him sue."

"You—"

The woman’s shriek reached Raina’s ears. She scrambled up and away. "What’s happening? This has nothing to do with me!"

Raina stepped forward and saw Miles Hawthorne’s breathing turn ragged, as if he couldn’t catch his breath. He was clearly in distress and wouldn’t wake up. His face grew paler by the second, and with nothing to support him, his body slumped straight toward the floor.

"What’s going on?" Cameron Fairchild asked, looking over in confusion.

"Quick, call 911!" Raina commanded. She rushed over to Miles Hawthorne, crouching down to pat his face. "Are you okay? Say something."

Miles Hawthorne was completely unconscious. She reached out, ripped open his shirt, and used her right hand to pinch his jaw firmly. Ethan Lancaster’s face was livid as he strode forward. "What are you doing?"

She ignored him, bent down, and sealed her lips over Miles Hawthorne’s. Then she straightened up and began chest compressions with both hands. Ethan Lancaster watched coldly, but her expression was so focused, she clearly wasn’t paying him any mind.

The door to the private room was thrown open. Hannah Lynch’s eyes swept around the room, finally landing on Raina and Miles Hawthorne.

Her expression changed drastically as she strode forward. "What are you doing?"

Seeing her grab a wine bottle, ready to swing, Ethan Lancaster’s face hardened. "If you want to watch your fiancé die here," he barked, "go right ahead."

"What?" She crouched down, finally noticing that Miles Hawthorne was unconscious. She anxiously tried to get closer. "Miles, Miles, don’t scare me! What’s wrong?"

"Get back!" Raina commanded, resuming chest compressions. Miss Lynch heard her and obediently moved aside.

When Ethan Lancaster saw her press her lips to Miles Hawthorne’s again, he silently cursed a blue streak. But it was a matter of life and death, so he couldn’t bring himself to stop her.

Cameron Fairchild had already cleared the room. Raina, frantic with worry, tried again. Finally, she saw Miles Hawthorne’s eyelids flutter.

His eyes fluttered open. The dazzling, multicolored lights of the room swirled in his vision, and the face before him slowly came into focus. Raina’s eyes were filled with fear and panic. Unable to tell dream from reality, Miles Hawthorne reached out and grabbed her wrist.

She glanced down, trying to pull free, but Miles Hawthorne only tightened his grip.

Looming over them, Ethan Lancaster stared menacingly at the pair. Miss Lynch’s expression was just as dark as she crawled a few steps closer.

"Rai—" The rest of the name died on Miles Hawthorne’s lips.

"Miles, are you feeling any better?"

Miles Hawthorne pressed his lips together, released his grip, and turned his head to the side.

His outstretched hand took Miss Lynch’s. "Don’t worry. I’m fine."

"You scared me to death."

The paramedics arrived at Aristor Hall and entered the room. Raina stood up, watching as Miles Hawthorne was loaded onto a stretcher and taken to the hospital.

Ethan Lancaster walked out without a word. Raina grabbed the box containing the USB drive and followed him.

Once they were in the car, Ethan Lancaster let out a sarcastic snort.

"There’s no need to be so passive-aggressive, Fourth Master. If you have something to say, just say it."

"Disgusting."

Raina’s brows knitted. "I was saving his life."

"All I saw was you kissing him. More than once."

"Fourth Master, you call all the shots. You’re the one who summoned me to Aristor Hall, and you’re the one who made me play that game. Now that it nearly cost someone their life, I’m not even allowed to save them?"

Ethan Lancaster wanted nothing more than to shut her up! "Don’t you forget you’re a married woman."

’But the thought of her mouth having just touched someone else’s made his stomach turn. It was unbearable!’

Raina saw the disgust in his eyes and deliberately leaned closer. "Fourth Master, it was just CPR. Lighten up."

Ethan Lancaster grabbed her shoulder to push her away. "Go sit over there."

"Alright, alright. No need to get physical. I’ll move."

His expression was stern and cold. Suddenly, he felt a tug on his collar. ’Raina is getting way too bold,’ he thought. Before he could speak, she pulled him toward her and forcefully pressed her lips against his.

Ethan Lancaster was stunned for a moment before shoving her away. He turned his head and scoffed.

The driver snuck a peek. ’What a scene! The woman is forcing herself on him! How thrilling! How scandalous!’

The expression on Ethan Lancaster’s face was a chaotic mess. "Shameless!"

She pulled him close again, her lips once more covering his. Ethan Lancaster’s dark eyes widened. They struggled in the back seat; in terms of pure strength, Raina was no match for him. But Ethan Lancaster didn’t dare use too much force, afraid he might hurt her.

Besides, he’d never been forced by anyone in his life. ’Turns out, it feels pretty good.’ His mouth said no, but his body was all too honest.

This was a first for the driver. He kept sneaking glances into the rearview mirror. ’I can’t watch this,’ he thought, even as he saw Ethan Lancaster’s hands shift from resistance to initiative, finally pulling Raina into his embrace.

After the kiss ended, he still felt it was strange. Ethan Lancaster raised the back of his hand to wipe his mouth.

"You’re going to go home and brush your teeth."

"Fine. I have to brush my teeth before bed anyway."

With a taut face, Ethan Lancaster ordered, "A hundred times."

"Okay."

The man lowered his head to look at her. "So obedient tonight?"

"When do I ever not listen to you? You’re the one who’s always so guarded around me."

Ethan Lancaster rolled down the window. The car was moving quickly, and the cool wind rushed in, hitting his face. "I am not."

The car soon arrived back at The Verdant Garden. Raina opened her laptop and clicked on the contents of the USB drive.

Standing behind her, Ethan Lancaster suddenly spoke up. "See? I told you Miles Hawthorne is a pervert. He even kept it as a treasured possession. You think he wants to learn a few techniques from me?"

Raina moved to delete the video, but Ethan Lancaster yanked out the USB drive. She spun around, trying to grab it. "What are you doing?"

"It would be a waste to delete it. I promise I won’t share it. It’ll just be for our private viewing."

Raina jumped for it but couldn’t reach his hand. She didn’t want this thing causing any more trouble. "Ethan Lancaster, give it back!"

"Fine, I’ll give it back. We’ll watch it together once, and I’ll give it to you when we’re done."

"Pervert!"

Ethan Lancaster was completely shameless, taking her insult as a compliment. "You’re just watching your own performance. Nothing to be ashamed of."

Raina swiped for it and missed. "You better keep your word."

"I will."

"Whoever can’t control themselves is a son of a bitch!"

"Fine. You think your boring performance can get me going? I’ll show you what real self-control looks like!"

A little while later, the two of them were sitting cross-legged on the bed, watching the video. At first, both Ethan Lancaster and Raina pretended to be completely natural and unaffected.

As they watched, the air in the room seemed to grow thick and humid. Ethan Lancaster snuck a glance at Raina, only to be caught red-handed. "Now, Fourth Master, don’t be impulsive. If you really can’t take it, go take a cold shower."