Chapter 436
It wasn't Sophia Sullivan who opened the door.
It was Fiona Valentine.
The man's gaze turned icy.
Fiona's heart tightened.
She explained softly, "Charlie said you were drunk. He was worried and asked me to check on you."
She walked over to Ethan Roscente.
She studied his expression.
"Are you alright? You don't seem too drunk?"
A flicker of disappointment passed through the man's eyes.
He responded flatly, "Hmm."
"Then I…" Fiona bit her lip, "should go back?"
"Hmm."
The woman turned and walked toward the door.
Suddenly—
"Ah!"
A startled cry came from outside.
Ethan frowned and stood up.
He pushed the door open and went out.
Fiona was sitting on the ground at the bottom of the steps.
She was examining her ankle.
"Are you okay?"
Fiona turned her head at the sound of his voice.
She forced a smile. "It's nothing, really."
Ethan's eyes swept over her ankle.
"It's swollen."
"Probably just a slight twist. It's fine…"
She tried to stand up.
A sharp pain made her suck in her breath as she put weight on it.
The man's brow furrowed deeply.
She insisted, "Really, it's fine. It'll be better after a moment."
The next second, Ethan scooped her up into his arms.
He carried her back to the living room.
Fiona was stunned.
A secret joy bubbled in her heart.
Her gamble had paid off.
Ethan considered calling the family doctor.
But he remembered it was New Year's Eve.
It was too late for that.
He asked, "Is it bad?"
Fiona shook her head. "It shouldn't be serious. It'll be fine soon."
Ethan found the first aid kit anyway.
He pulled out a tube of ointment and handed it to her.
"Put some on."
"...Okay. Thank you."
Ten minutes later.
Fiona said softly, "The ointment feels cool first, then warm. It's much better now. I didn't expect you to be so thoughtful, keeping a first aid kit at home."
Ethan's expression remained blank. "Sophia prepared it before."
Fiona fell silent.
"Since you're fine, I'll have someone take you back—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
He remembered he had given the driver the night off.
There was no one to call.
Fiona immediately stood up. "Don't trouble yourself! I can get back on my own!"
"Can you get a cab?"
"I… I should be able to…" Probably.
She had paid extra to get a cab here.
This was the villa district.
Remote and far from the city.
Ethan said, "Forget it. Try to get one. I've been drinking, so I can't drive. If you can't get one, you can stay in the guest room tonight. Leave in the morning."
A glint flickered in Fiona's eyes.
She sounded grateful. "Thank you. Don't worry, I won't disturb you at all!"
Ethan gave a noncommittal "Hmm."
He turned and went upstairs.
Fiona watched him disappear.
Then she leisurely looked around.
The living room was so large and spacious.
The crystal chandelier was so bright and beautiful.
...
Early the next morning.
Ethan came downstairs and smelled food.
He quickly walked toward the kitchen.
A woman's slender figure, wearing an apron, was busy.
Oatmeal porridge bubbled in a pot.
Eggs sizzled in a frying pan.
For a moment, it felt like the past.
Waking up early always used to find Sophia busy in the kitchen.
He would smile and lean against the doorway, quietly watching her.
Then he would go over and embrace her from behind.
Earning a flustered, playful gasp from her.
She would turn and lightly punch his chest.
He would pull her closer.
"You're up?" Fiona turned around, sounding surprised to see him.
Ethan snapped back to reality and nodded. "Hmm."
"I couldn't get a cab last night, so I stayed in the guest room. I thought your stomach might be upset from drinking, so I made breakfast. You don't mind, do you?"
"Not at all. It was thoughtful of you."
"Thank you for letting me stay. Just returning the favor! Breakfast is almost ready!"
Ethan walked to the dining table and sat down.
Soon, Fiona brought over the oatmeal porridge and fried eggs.
She served a bowl and placed it in front of him.
Then she handed him a spoon and chopsticks.
Ethan was used to being served and took them automatically.
He didn't find it unusual.
After doing this, Fiona pressed her lips together.
A hint of grievance flashed in her eyes.
She was the one who had taken the initiative.
Yet his matter-of-fact attitude stung.
Ethan saw this试探 for what it was.
He didn't take the bait.
A trace of faint mockery even passed through his eyes.
She was the one who chose to stay.
She was the one who got up early to make porridge.
He hadn't asked for any of it.
Since they were all her choices.
She should bear any resulting feelings herself.
He looked at the oatmeal porridge, his eyes softening.
He took a taste. It was even more like hers than last time.
A satisfied smile touched his lips.
Fiona saw this and felt a secret thrill.
All her practice hadn't been in vain. He must like it.
"How is it?" she asked softly.
Ethan offered no praise, simply saying, "You should eat too. I'll call you a cab after."
"..."
At the same time, at the Atlante residence.
Sophia got up and went downstairs to find everyone already awake.
Isabella Sullivan and the grandmother were making dumplings, boiling them fresh.
Steam rose from the kitchen.
Eating dumplings on New Year's Day symbolized "crossing into the new year" and "attracting wealth and treasure."
The grandfather and David Sullivan were playing chess.
The game was fierce and the situation tense.
Both were fully focused, refusing to yield.
"Sophia's up? Why not sleep a bit more?"
Sophia scratched her head. "Everyone's awake. How could I keep sleeping?"
Florence Atlante said, "It's normal for youngsters to sleep in."
Sophia didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
She was in her twenties. How was she still a youngster?
Could the grandmother's favoritism be any more obvious?
Soon, steaming hot dumplings were served.
"Breakfast is ready! Stop playing, you two!"
The grandfather's eyes didn't leave the board. "Don't rush! Don't rush! We're about to decide the winner!"
As soon as he finished speaking, David Sullivan said—
"Checkmate."
Isaac Atlante: "?"
"Dad, how about we go eat the dumplings first? They won't taste as good cold. This game doesn't count. We'll play another after eating?"
"Alright, alright! Dumplings are best eaten hot. Yes, hot."
The two men immediately got up.
The grandfather thought happily: This game doesn't count! Hehe...
After breakfast, the grandmother prepared to go to the garden.
But Isabella stopped her—
"Mom, there's something I think I should tell you and Dad."
The grandmother froze in place.