The Billionaire Sweet Love

Chapter 4.

“You don’t have to stay up for me.”

Lisa glanced up from the book she was pretending to read as Ethan walked into the living room. He was late again, looking as exhausted as ever, but his tone was as distant as it always was.

“I wasn’t waiting,” she lied, quickly closing the book and setting it aside. She had been waiting for him, hoping for a conversation, for any kind of connection, but she wasn’t about to admit that.

Ethan shrugged, loosening his tie and heading toward the kitchen. He poured himself a glass of water, and for a moment, Lisa watched him, wondering how someone could be so close yet feel so far away.

She wanted to ask him how his day had gone, but every time she tried, he would brush her off, as if her questions were a nuisance.

“You’re home late again,” she said, trying to keep her voice light, hoping he might actually respond this time. “Was work busy?”

“Always,” he replied without looking at her, downing the water in one long gulp before setting the glass down. He was already walking toward the stairs when Lisa spoke again.

“I was thinking,” she said hesitantly, “maybe tomorrow we could spend some time together? Do something... outside of the house?”

Ethan paused, his back to her, and Lisa felt her heart skip a beat, half-expecting him to ignore her again. But then he turned around, his expression unreadable.

“I have meetings,” he said simply, his voice devoid of emotion. “It’s not a good time.”

Lisa sighed inwardly. It was never a good time. “I just thought...”

“What?” Ethan interrupted, raising an eyebrow. “You thought what?”

Lisa bit her lip, suddenly unsure of herself. “I thought maybe we could... try to get to know each other. We’re married, after all.”

Ethan’s face remained impassive, but there was something in his eyes, something cold. “This isn’t that kind of marriage, Lisa. You know that.”

She opened her mouth to respond, but the words caught in her throat. He was right. She did know that. This was a contract, not a love story. But that didn’t stop the ache that settled in her chest every time he reminded her.

Ethan turned away, heading up the stairs without another word, leaving Lisa alone in the quiet, empty house once again.

The next morning, Lisa woke up early. Ethan had already left for work, as usual, and she had the day stretching ahead of her with nothing to fill it.

She wandered through the mansion aimlessly, exchanging small talk with the maids, but her mind kept drifting back to the previous night’s conversation, or lack of one. The coldness between them was becoming unbearable.

By noon, Lisa couldn’t stand it anymore. She needed to get out of the house, to escape the suffocating loneliness that seemed to follow her everywhere. After a quick call, she arranged a visit to the hospital to check on her mother. Maybe that would help her clear her head.

When she arrived, the familiar sight of the hospital brought her some sense of comfort. Her mother was doing better, her health had improved dramatically thanks to the care Ethan’s money had provided.

But as Lisa sat by her mother’s bedside, holding her hand, she couldn’t help but feel the weight of everything she had sacrificed to get here.

“You look tired, sweetie,” her mother said softly, her voice weak but filled with concern. “Are you sure you’re alright?”

Lisa forced a smile, brushing her mother’s hair back gently. “I’m fine, Mom. Just a little tired from adjusting to the new... life.”

Her mother nodded, squeezing her hand. “I’m just glad you’re happy. You deserve it.”

Lisa swallowed the lump in her throat, guilt gnawing at her. She wasn’t happy. Not even close. But she couldn’t tell her mother that, not when this marriage was the reason her mother was receiving the treatment she needed. So, she smiled and lied, just like she had been doing for months now. “Yeah, I’m happy, Mom.”

After visiting her mother, Lisa wandered the streets for a while, not ready to go back to the empty mansion just yet. She walked aimlessly, her thoughts swirling in her mind, when suddenly, she heard a familiar voice behind her.

“Well, look who it is.”

Lisa turned around, and her heart sank as she saw Jade standing a few feet away, a smug smile plastered across her face.

“What do you want, Jade?” Lisa asked, trying to keep her voice steady. She didn’t want to deal with Jade’s bullying today, especially not after the draining week she’d had.

Jade took a step closer, her eyes gleaming with malice. “I just wanted to see for myself how the charity case is doing now that she’s married into money.” She tilted her head, examining Lisa like she was some kind of curiosity. “Still doesn’t look like you belong, though.”

Lisa clenched her fists, forcing herself to stay calm. “I’m not interested in whatever you’re trying to do.”

“Oh, come on,” Jade said with a laugh. “You think you’re fooling anyone with this little fairy tale? Everyone knows you’re just a gold digger. How long do you think it’ll take before Ethan gets bored of you and kicks you to the curb?”

Lisa’s blood boiled, but she refused to let Jade get to her. She turned to walk away, but Jade wasn’t finished.

“Don’t walk away from me, you little…..”

Before Lisa could react, Jade lunged at her, raising her hand as if she were going to hit her. But just as Jade’s hand swung down, it was stopped mid-air by a strong grip.

He stood there, his face calm but his grip on Jade’s wrist tight enough to make her wince.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Jade’s eyes widened in shock. “E-Ethan, I wasn’t….”