The expression on Ethan's face frightened Janet. Her heart leaped to her throat. She took a piece of tissue and wiped her lips, pretending to be calm. "Why are you stopping me?". “I'm in urgent need of money now, I have no other choice. Ethan's eyes smoldered with anger. “How much money do you want? I’m your husband. If you’re going through any problems, why can’t you tell me? Why would you. do something like that?". Janet had been short of money ever since she was a child. Tears welled up in her eyes. She took a deep breath and looked at him. "We are husband and wife only to the outside world. You have already said that we shouldn't interfere in each other’s. business. What makes you think I’d share my problems with you and even ask for money?". Her words silenced Ethan. He rubbed his brows, and his chest tightened with unease. He stood up and looked at her. “Let's calm down first and then solve this problem. Ethan closed the door and went out. The cold summer breeze and the chirping of cicadas filled the air. Ethan took a deep breath, and the sweet scent of roses filled his nostrils. Janet had planted them on the balcony. Ethan leaned against the door as the moonlight kissed his soft features

Ethan realized that he had crossed the line tonight. Before they got married, he never liked Janet and didn 't intend to be her husband. However, his impression of he r changed. He seemed to like he r more with every passing day. Ethan ran a hand through his hair and le t out a weary sigh. He couldn't understan d when he had started caring about her so . much. He rubbed his temples and c losed his eyes, trying to suppre ss his incomprehensible emotions. Janet stood at th e table and picked up the tableware. Just then, the door flew open, a nd Ethan walked toward her and t ook the tableware from her hand. "lm goin g to was h them. "Why did you come back?" Janet thought he wouldn’t come back, so she grabbed the p lates and held them tightly in her arms in . a fit of p ique. The oil from the vessels had sta ined her clothes. "You don't need to wash t hem. I'm afraid you will o nly break them," she said. "Why did I come back ? You want me to let you cry here alone?” . Seeing her bloodshot eyes, Et han’s eyes darkened. He raised his hand to touch her cheek. "Don't touc h me! I'm n ot crying!" . Shocked, Janet stepped back. H er eyes were red and puffy. Sh e stared at Ethan fearlessly. Ethan felt de jected. Janet was like a delic ate flower that would w ither if he forced her

Ethan put his arms on the table, trapping her in place. He leaned closer and stared into her eyes. "Don't do the drug trial. Maybe you will get o ther income soon. Please listen to me," he sai d softly, "What will you do if I don’t listen . to yo u?" . Janet s neered at him. Ethan's brows furr owed, and his eyes looked frightening. "There are several ways to deal with women," he hissed through his teeth. “Anyway, I’m a ga ngster. I’m not af raid of anything. He inched toward her and reached out his ha nd to unzip her dress. "I know. I won't do t he trial. Japet hugged herself as he r voice trembled, Ethan let go of her and stood aside. Biting her low er lip. Janet ignored him and walked to the sink with the plates. She turned on t he lap and began to wash the dishes. She didn’t w ant to disag ree with him. Anyway, Ethan was busy with hi s business every day and digin ’t have time to care about her. She could still do th e trial next week wit hout letting him know. The next day, as soon as Janet went to the company, several mes sages popped up on her computer. She opened the e-mail and found th at a client had contacted her abou t a design gig for a high payment