Forced To Marry My Cousin's Fiancé

Chapter 47: Chapter 47

When Lane saw there were only ten minutes left until noon, she picked up the paper bag from the coffee table in Ethan’s office. She stood up, planning to heat up the meal she’d cooked.

She had originally left a note on the bag, but since Ethan wanted to eat together, she figured she’d just take care of it herself. She was pretty sure there was a microwave in the office, and she could just ask his secretary where it was.

Honestly, Lane was still reeling from Ethan’s invitation. She couldn’t believe he actually wanted to eat with her. Before, he acted like he couldn’t stand to be in the same room as her, and his mood would sour the second she walked in. Now, it was the total opposite. Sometimes she would even try to avoid him, but he seemed to be pulling her closer. It was like a completely different Ethan.

Truthfully, she liked this version of him. She liked the change because it finally felt like he cared about her and the baby.

"Where are you going, Lane?"

She looked over at Ethan and noticed him watching her with a slight frown.

"I’m just going to heat this up so it’s not cold when we eat," she replied. Since the subject was open, she figured she’d just ask. "Where can I warm this up, Ethan?"

Instead of answering, Ethan picked up his phone. "Chris, get in here," he instructed. He didn’t even wait for a reply before hanging up.

A moment later, there was a soft knock and Chris stepped inside. "You need something, Sir?"

Ethan glanced at her. "Lane, hand that to Chris. He’ll heat it up for you."

"I-I can do it, Ethan. It’s no big deal," she said.

"No," he said, his voice firm. "Chris, follow my instructions."

Chris moved fast, and Lane didn’t really have a choice but to hand the bag over. "I’ve got this, Ma’am," he said.

Lane just nodded. Once Chris left, she sat back down on the sofa. She tried to steal a glance at Ethan, but her breath hitched when she realized he was already staring at her. Unable to hold his gaze, she quickly looked away.

A little while later, another knock came at the door. From the corner of her eye, she saw Ethan’s brow furrow. She was certain it wasn’t Chris this time.

"Come in," Ethan called out.

The door swung open, and Lane bit her lip when she saw who it was. Olivia’s father.

"Ethan," the man said as he walked in.

"Uncle ," Ethan acknowledged him. "What are you doing here?"

Uncle Lucas started to speak but stopped dead when he spotted Lane. His face darkened. "What are you doing here, Lane?" he asked, his voice stern.

Lane swallowed hard, her throat tight. She was about to answer, but Ethan beat her to it.

"She’s here because I want her here," he told Uncle Lucas flatly.

Uncle Lucas didn’t flinch, shifting his gaze from her back to Ethan. "So, what brings you by, Uncle?" Ethan asked.

Uncle Lucas hesitated. "Can we talk? Just the two of us," he added pointedly.

Hearing that, Lane stood up. "I’ll... just wait outside," she said, wanting to give them some privacy. She started to move toward the door, not waiting for a response.

But she hadn’t even taken a full step before Ethan stopped her. "Stay put, Lane. You don’t need to leave."

"I want to talk to you alone, Ethan," Uncle Lucas insisted.

Ethan clearly wasn’t happy about that. His expression went stone-cold. After a second, he let out a sharp sigh and stood up from his executive chair.

"Let’s take this outside," he said, his voice icy.

Ethan headed for the door, but before he left, he looked back at her. "Sit back down and wait for me, Lane."

She just nodded and returned to her seat. A few minutes later, Chris came back in with the steaming food, along with plates and silverware.

"Thank you," she said as he set everything down.

Once she was alone again, she set the table, getting everything ready for whenever Ethan got back. She worried the conversation with Uncle Lucas might drag on. It seemed like he had something heavy on his mind, and she didn’t want the food to get cold all over again.

However, the door opened almost immediately. Ethan walked back in. She blinked in surprise. It had been less than five minutes.

Is he done already?

Ethan walked straight over to her. She shifted over a bit as he sat down right next to her. Her heart skipped a beat when their arms accidentally brushed. She noticed he was starting to roll up the sleeves of his button-down.

She bit her lip before speaking up. "Let me help you with that, Ethan."

He paused, looking up at her as he processed the offer. He watched her for a beat before holding his arm out to her. Lane couldn’t help but smile as she neatly rolled his sleeves up to his elbows.

"Done," she said, finishing the second sleeve.

She looked up at him, but her smile froze when she saw the way he was looking at her. Her heart nearly stopped when Ethan reached out and gently brushed a few stray hairs away from her face, his dark eyes fixed solely on her.

_____________________

Lane had fallen asleep in Ethan’s arms, and she woke up to find him still holding her tight. She could definitely feel the strength in his embrace this morning.

Their bodies were pressed so close that she could feel his morning wood nudging her from behind. Her hand was actually resting right on top of his where it was draped over her waist. Lane didn’t move an inch. She wanted to cherish the moment. She knew she wouldn’t get this kind of affection once he was wide awake, so she was savoring every second of it.

She loved the feeling of being in Ethan’s arms. The warmth radiating from his body felt like it was thawing out her very heart. She couldn’t help but blush.

After a few minutes of soaking it in, Lane decided she had to get up to start breakfast and pack his lunch. She was actually starting to enjoy cooking for him. But when she glanced at the alarm clock, her eyes nearly popped out of her head. It was already nine in the morning!

They had completely overslept. Ethan was late for work, which almost never happened.

She rolled over to face him while he was still clinging to her. She was immediately met with his handsome, sleeping face. She bit her lower lip.

When he was awake, he was like a lion, but asleep, he looked as harmless as a kitten. He seemed to be out cold, so she reached out and gently tapped his shoulder.

"Ethan..." she whispered, giving his arm a light shake. "Ethan?"

Instead of waking up, he just pulled her even closer. Lane’s breath hitched when he buried his face in the crook of her neck, his warm breath tickling her skin. Was he dreaming? Did he think she was a pillow?

She froze for a second, but then she remembered the time. She tried again, shaking his arm a bit harder. "Ethan, wake up. Come on, Ethan, get up."

This time, he stirred. He lifted his head from her neck, bringing their faces level. The moment their eyes met, he didn’t look away. His gaze was intense, locked onto hers. Lane had to remind herself to breathe before she finally spoke.

"We need to get up. You’re late for work," she told him.

"I’m not going in today, Lane," Ethan replied, his voice raspy with sleep. He didn’t break eye contact.

"Wait, what?"

He repeated himself. "I’m skipping the office. We’re going to your OB-GYN."

Lane blinked, totally stunned. Once she found her voice, she said, "My appointment isn’t until next month, Ethan."

She had just gone for a check-up some two weeks ago. That was the time Ethan said he’d go with her, but he never showed up. She’d ended up sitting in that waiting room alone again. Even though he’d explained why he couldn’t make it, it still stung.

She was sure that pain was written all over her face, and since Ethan was staring right at her, there was no hiding it.

She tried to look away, but he caught her chin and forced her to meet his gaze again.

"We’re going today, Lane. You weren’t feeling well yesterday and I just want to make sure the pregnancy is okay," he said. His voice was serious, but he couldn’t quite hide the concern underneath. "I’m coming with you. I need to see for myself that you and the baby are fine."

Lane was speechless. Her heart was hammering against her ribs. Hearing him say those things made her feel like a warm hand was gently brushing against her heart. She had to admit, she felt a spark of pure joy. Finally, she could feel him looking out for them.

Deep down, Lane had prayed that Ethan would care for the baby, even if he never cared for her. As long as he valued their child, she could be happy. She didn’t want their baby to grow up feeling rejected or wondering why their father didn’t love them. That kind of heartbreak would hurt her ten times more than any rejection she faced herself.

But looking at him now, it seemed like he really did care. The sheer relief and joy were too much, and a few tears started to slip down her cheeks.

She saw Ethan’s eyes widen in surprise. Then, he let out a low curse. "Fuck!"

He scrambled out of bed, looking frantic. "That’s it. We’re going to the doctor right now to get you checked out, Lane."

"Ethan, wait, I’m just crying because I’m happy," Lane stammered, reaching out a hand to stop his sudden whirlwind of panic.

But Ethan was already halfway across the bedroom, pulling a clean shirt from his wardrobe.

He turned around, his brow furrowed in a deep, tight line of frustration and worry.

"Happy? People don’t cry like that when they’re happy, Lane. You’re pale, you’re crying, and you’ve been nauseous almost each morning. I’m not taking any chances."

He walked back over to the bed, dropping a pair of her sweatpants and a soft sweater into her lap. The dominant, unyielding CEO who usually commanded boardrooms was entirely unraveled by a few tears. He knelt by the edge of the mattress, his large hands carefully enveloping her small, trembling ones.

"I know I messed up before," Ethan said, his voice dropping to a low, gravelly whisper. The raw sincerity in his dark eyes made Lane’s chest ache.

"I left you alone when I should have been there. I promise you, Lane, I won’t let that happen again. From now on, you and this baby are my priority. Work can wait."

Lane looked down at their joined hands, feeling the intense heat of his skin. It felt like a dream. For months, she had prepared herself to be a single mother in everything but name, living under the roof of a man who resented her presence. Now, he was looking at her as if she were the only thing that mattered in the world.

"Okay," she murmured softly, wiping the stray tears from her cheeks with the back of her sleeve. "We’ll go."

A visible wave of relief washed over Ethan’s sharp features. He didn’t stand up immediately; instead, he leaned forward and pressed a lingering, gentle kiss to the back of her hand before finally rising.

"Good. I’ll call Chris and have him bring the car around. Dress warmly—it’s chilly outside today."

As Ethan turned to grab his phone, Lane clutched the sweater to her chest, a genuine smile finally breaking through.

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