Substitute Bride: Utterly Pampered by Her Billionaire Husband

Chapter 1517: He Is Doomed Never to See This Child

Carlotta’s expression changed; was Ethan Barnes openly showing his affection for Celeste Linden? What place would she have here in the future?

All these servants act according to the master’s preference. Whichever woman he likes, that woman gets treated like royalty. Initially, these servants treated her very well, almost as if she were the mistress of the house. But recently, she’s felt that the servants have been siding with Celeste Linden.

Carlotta had always felt inferior; she never completed her education and had been imprisoned by a farmer, becoming his wife, losing her purity long ago. Anywhere she goes, she’d be looked down upon for her past.

Back then, she had been brought back with injuries all over her body. Every servant here knew about it. If she lost his affection again, how would she live her life?

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, causing her heart to twist with emotions.

"Ethan, I..."

Before she could finish, Ethan Barnes had already withdrawn his strong arm from her hand. "Carlotta, I’m very tired. I’m going upstairs to take a shower; we’ll talk later."

Ethan Barnes went upstairs, entering the study for a shower.

Carlotta, "..."

...

After a hot shower, Ethan left the house, and Carlotta went downstairs. She noticed the maid preparing some candied fruits in the kitchen.

These candied fruits were exceptionally fresh, the aroma itself was intoxicating, and these were varieties not seen in the market. Carlotta wanted to taste one.

But the maid quickly said, "Miss Carlotta, you cannot eat these."

Carlotta’s outstretched hand froze, "Why not?"

The maid cautiously said, "I’m sorry, Miss Carlotta. These are for Miss Linden. They were brought back by the master from abroad, all fresh specialties. Recently, Miss Linden hasn’t had much of an appetite, so they’re prepared just for her to help increase it."

Carlotta’s expression darkened. Ethan Barnes had brought these snacks from abroad for Celeste Linden. Despite her history with Ethan, she’d even died for him once, he’d never treated her like this.

Carlotta suddenly recalled two words: favoritism.

In this world, the most jealousy-inducing words are none other than "favoritism."

"Can’t I even taste the things prepared for Miss Linden?" Carlotta asked with a bad look on her face.

The maid found herself in a difficult spot, caught between two mistresses she couldn’t afford to offend, so she reluctantly said, "Miss Carlotta, well... you can taste one; one less won’t matter, right?"

Carlotta immediately lost her appetite, not wanting to eat anything, "I’ll pass."

Carlotta stepped outside, gazing at the dazzling sunlight, yet feeling not an ounce of its warmth on her skin; she knew she could no longer wait.

...

Celeste Linden hadn’t left her room in days, staying within her space. She knew that the more she kept it this way, the more restless others would become; she just needed to wait.

Wait for the right moment, then her move would be decisive.

The door opened there, and someone entered—it was Ethan Barnes.

Celeste Linden remained lying on the bed, not moving, nor did she want to open her eyes.

At this point, Ethan Barnes came over and sat beside her, reaching out to pinch her cheek, "Getting bold, are we? Not even glancing at me when I come in?"

Celeste Linden avoided his hand, burying her face in the blankets, leaving only her eyes to look at him, "It’s your fault. I’ve been feeling unwell these days..."

Ethan Barnes raised an eyebrow, showing a bit of wickedness, "Is that so? After last time, you’ve been lying here this long, Celeste Linden, are you doing this on purpose, knowing I want to take you out again?"

That pervert!

Celeste Linden knew he’d never let her off, always thinking of taking her out. In order to avoid his harassment, she’s been shut inside, yet he still showed up as expected.

Celeste Linden dared not show her disgust on her face, only laughing, "That’s not possible, the doctor said I need complete rest. You should consider more about our baby."

"Celeste Linden, I find you particularly obedient these days." With that, Ethan leaned closer, "You wouldn’t be plotting something again, right?"

Had she shown her cards?

Had he seen through her?

Couldn’t be.

Celeste Linden immediately blinked her lashes, striving to present an innocent look, "I don’t understand what you’re saying."

Ethan gave her an inquisitive look, then said, "Celeste Linden, kiss me."

"..." Celeste Linden remained motionless.

Ethan directly pressed down on her.

"Ethan!" Celeste Linden reached out to place her hand against his chest, "Shouldn’t you shower first?"

"Why shower?"

"Didn’t you just come from Carlotta’s room? I mean... I don’t mind, but since I’m pregnant, I have to be mindful about hygiene, right? It’s easy to catch infections between three people," Celeste Linden spoke gently, not wanting to anger him.

Ethan immediately furrowed his eyebrows, not having considered having two women at home would be bothersome, but now her indirect words made him feel disgusted.

He had a severe personal cleanliness issue, never maintaining relations with two women.

"Do you think I’ve been intimate with Carlotta?" he asked.

Celeste Linden looked at him, "Isn’t that so?"

"If I said no, would you be proud?"

Celeste Linden was quite surprised; he hadn’t been intimate with Carlotta? She even saw him pressing Carlotta onto the bed.

From that day on, she knew he had a fondness for her; could it be he liked her more than Carlotta?

Celeste Linden started feeling uneasy; she just needed a little fondness from him, but his deep affection was something she simply couldn’t handle and wanted to avoid at all costs.

Then Ethan kissed her.

Celeste Linden couldn’t resist; she lifted her small hands to wrap around his neck, beginning to respond awkwardly.

After a long kiss ended, Ethan’s breath was unstable. He released her swollen lips, then took a small packet of snacks out of his pocket.

They were sweet and sour grapes.

"Do you want some?" he asked hoarsely.

Celeste Linden hadn’t expected him to always have snacks ready for her; she felt a bit dazed. After all, the child in her belly was his, so perhaps this was his rare display of fatherly love.

Celeste Linden shook her head, "I don’t want any."

"Why not? I heard pregnant women all love this kind of sour food."

"Ethan, I don’t like sour things, I want spicy food."

Ethan pressed his thin lips together, "Sour for a boy, spicy for a girl. Does this mean you’re expecting a daughter?"

"Quite possibly. Why, do you want a son?"

Ethan hadn’t thought about it that way; he hadn’t had time to think about these things because he didn’t plan on having children. This child was entirely unexpected.

"Whatever, it’s up to you what you have."

Yes, whatever she has, what does it matter to him?

He wasn’t going to see the child’s birth.

He was destined not to see this child.