Cloud Ink Studio is the largest gathering place for the nobility in Metropolis, offering not only exquisite works of art but also extending its services to every aspect of life, including private transactions.
The antique charm of the place captivates Summer deeply. Tomorrow marks the third anniversary of her marriage to Ethan, and every year, she handcrafts a gift for her beloved here.
She possesses a private workshop, unnamed as she couldnt decide on a title, so she simply engraved "Unnamed" on it.
In the cramped space, time flies by as she chips away. Taking a break for some fresh air, she notices the crowd becoming noisy.
Summer isnt one for crowds, but a familiar figure among them catches her eye. A pair of peach blossom eyes, a playful mole at the tail of the left eye, and a gaze that is cold and aloof. Both in appearance and temperament, he is dazzlingly striking. No matter how many years shes seen him, her heart still skips a beat.
Following Ethans gaze, the crowd notices the slightly embarrassed Summer. He strides closer to his wife.
"D-darling, what are you doing here?" Summer stutters, taken aback for a moment, and reaches out to hold Ethans arm welcomingly.
To her surprise, Ethan coldly pulls his hand back and takes out a disinfectant wipe to clean his hand repeatedly. In front of the crowd and Summers astonished gaze, he curls his thin lips. "Ms. Summer, dont pretend to be affectionate with me off the bed, dont you feel disgusted yourself?"
His voice isnt loud, but its enough for everyone to hear clearly.
"Ah. Ah?" Summer didnt expect herself to make such a foolish sound. Ethan, however, wouldnt let outsiders see his embarrassment; a harmonious marriage is one of his facades.
Sensing Summers confusion, Ethan leans close to her ear. "I just like seeing you in such a miserable state." With that, he disgustedly throws away the tissue. "My mother asked me to bring you home for dinner, lets go now."
As expected, only when his mother intervenes would he spare time for her. Even so, she was content, following Ethan without even packing up her things.
Ethan and Summer always leave space for two people between them in the car. Through the flickering lights outside the car window, Summers gaze is fixed on Ethans furrowed brows. She hasnt seen Ethan smile since she left, no matter how hard she tries, all she feels from him is growing aversion.
The atmosphere at the old house during meals is always incredibly awkward, with only the grandmother kindly chatting with Summer, and Mrs. Feng occasionally offering a smile. Ethan and Father Feng have never liked this "scheming" woman, and their cold treatment is their unspoken attitude.
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"Summer, I never expected that you would use my grandmother!" Ethan glances at the woman hes thrown to the ground. "Want my child? Youre not worthy!"
Summer is stunned before she realizes that Ethans expression has been off since his talk with his grandmother after dinner. She gives a bitter smile; the grandmother must have seen her predicament and wanted to help. However, Ethan would only think that shes resorting to any means to tie him down.
"I havent said anything to your grandmother, whether you believe it or not," Summer says, moving her wrists to get up from the ground.
Before she could rise, her chin is tightly grasped by Ethan. "Want a child? How about I help you with that, Byron? Or Sean. No, they would think youre dirty."
Ethans eyes flash with cold light, and his thin lips speak words that are like a stab to the heart. "Ms. Summer prefers the men at that shop, right? Dont worry, if you choose to be with them—" The ambiguous tail of his sentence opens a bone-deep wound in Summers heart. "I can help you pay."