When Contracts Turn to Forbidden Kisses Chapter 162

Amelia

We stayed on the balcony for a while, and the afternoon sun made the kids a bit drowsy. Seeing this, Ethan took Ella’s hand and said, “Alright, kids, nap time is here. Let’s go upstairs.”

I grabbed Lucas, and we headed for the stairs. Each step felt like we were escaping some kind of weird family drama. Lucas held my hand tight while Ella was already chattering to Ethan about wanting to play in the garden later.

"Don't let them get under your skin," Ethan whispered as we climbed. "Laura's been stirring up shit since I was a kid."

"I'm good," I told him. "Takes more than some passive-aggressive comments to mess with me."

Ethan's bedroom was huge—all navy and gray with this massive bed and windows looking out over the city.

"Lucas, time to rest, buddy," I said, helping him climb up on the bed.

He didn't even argue, just crawled under the covers. Ella bounced up next to him.

"Is this Daddy's room?" Ella asked, and the question just hung there between us.

Ethan's whole face softened. "Yeah, princess. You can sleep here anytime you want." He tucked the blanket around her. "Get some rest. When you wake up, we'll go check out the garden."

Ella squeezed her eyes shut, doing this dramatic fake-sleeping thing that made me smile. I stroked her hair until she actually dozed off for real. Lucas was already out cold.

I lay down next to Lucas, keeping my arm around him. Ethan settled on Ella's other side. The four of us sprawled across his bed—it felt right somehow, like this was how it was supposed to be.

After a few minutes, Ethan's hand found mine in the space between the kids. That little touch sent warmth shooting up my arm.

"Can I ask you something?" I whispered.

"Shoot," he whispered back.

"That thing about Felix not being able to have kids... did you have something to do with that?" It had been bugging me since he mentioned it.

Ethan was quiet for a second, looking at the sleeping kids. "Not directly," he finally said. "But Daniel's involved."

"Daniel?" I tried to keep my voice down even though I was shocked. "Daniel? What's he got to do with Felix?"

Ethan's expression went cold. "When he got to New York, first thing he did was track down Felix to make him pay for what he did to you." His jaw tightened. "But honestly, it's not just Daniel's doing—Felix has been screwing around so much, so recklessly, it was bound to catch up with him eventually."

I tried to wrap my head around this. "So Emily has no clue? She's planning a whole future with this guy and doesn't know he can't give her kids?"

"Nope," Ethan said. "And it's not my job to tell her."

Made sense, I guess. This family had enough drama without him stirring up more.

I woke up around three. Lucas was already awake, sitting cross-legged with his Rubik's cube, totally focused. He'd gotten one whole side blue. Ella was still knocked out.

Ethan was watching Lucas with this proud look on his face. When he saw I was awake, he got this smug grin. "Kid definitely got my brains," he whispered. "Can't help good genetics."

I rolled my eyes. "Or maybe he got my patience and focus."

"Speaking of patience and focus," Ethan leaned closer, his voice getting all low and suggestive, "I'd like to test yours later tonight."

The way he was looking at me made my face heat up. Thank God the kids were too busy to notice.

---

Dinner was tense as hell. Laura kept staring at Lucas like she was trying to solve some puzzle, and every time she did it, Catherine would give her this death glare. I pretended not to notice and focused on helping Ella eat.

Emily was going on and on about her wedding plans. "We're thinking spring next year," she announced, all pleased with herself. "Nothing crazy. Just four or five hundred people."

I almost choked on my water. Four hundred people was "nothing crazy"? And Emily had no idea about Felix's situation. Hearing her talk about their future made me feel weird. I caught Ethan's eye and he nodded slightly.

"After the wedding, we'll start working on our family," Emily kept going, totally oblivious to the look Felix and Ethan shared. "I want at least three kids. Right, Felix?"

Felix's smile looked forced. "Whatever you want, babe."

Catherine tried to change the subject to George's health, but Laura steered it right back. "Lucas is really smart for his age," she said, still staring at my son. "Must get that from his father's side."

I felt Ethan go rigid next to me. "Actually," I said calmly, "Lucas has always been a quick learner. He was reading before most kids his age."

Laura's fake smile told me she caught my little correction.

After dinner, I went to the bathroom. I was washing my hands when Emily walked in, wearing a perfectly crafted smile.

"Well, look who I found," she said, touching up her lipstick. "The new Mrs. Black, all by herself."

"Hi, Emily," I said, drying my hands.

"I just wanted to say how excited I am to be joining the family," she continued, voice dripping with fake sweetness. "Soon there'll be two Mrs. Blacks. Felix and I are so happy about our future."

I looked at her in the mirror. "You've got a lot of confidence. I admire that."

"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow, probably expecting me to start some drama.

"Yeah. I hope you and Felix have everything you're dreaming of," I said, and I actually meant it. "A really beautiful life together."

Emily looked confused by my genuine tone, missing the deeper meaning completely. She recovered fast though. "Well, thanks. We'll definitely be happier than you and Ethan."

I just smiled and left. No point getting into it with her.

Back in the living room, Ethan came up behind me and put his hands on my shoulders.

"Catherine wants the kids to sleep in her room tonight," he murmured in my ear. "Something about grandma rights."

"The whole night?" I asked.

"The whole night," he confirmed, and his tone suggested he had plans. "Thought we could use some time to... talk about things."

I raised an eyebrow. "Talk about things? Is that what we're calling it?"

"Among other things," he said with that smirk. "Unless you'd rather spend the night going over medical charts?"

"Tempting," I said, trying not to smile. "But I guess I could be convinced to hear your alternative."

By the time David's family finally left, it was late. Ethan and I went back to his room, and without the kids there, the whole energy was different. The second the door closed, Ethan started moving toward me with obvious intentions.

"Hold up," I said, putting my hand on his chest. "I've got an early shift tomorrow. First day back at the hospital, remember? I can't be dead on my feet."

Ethan looked disappointed but nodded. "Alright, rain check. But I'm definitely collecting on this later."

He kissed my forehead, then my lips, soft and sweet.

When we got into bed, Ethan pulled me against him, my back to his chest. His warmth and steady breathing made me feel safe and sleepy.