Substitute Bride: Utterly Pampered by Her Billionaire Husband

Chapter 1519: Let Me Go

Carlotta’s steps halted at the door. She knew Ethan Barnes had figured it out was her.

Actually, from the moment she took action, she knew she couldn’t hide it from Ethan. They had known each other for so many years, and she understood him well.

He was as sharp as a hawk. To make a move against Celeste Linden on his turf meant exposing herself.

However, precisely because she understood him, she also knew... Ethan wouldn’t do anything to her, which was her greatest reliance.

But, Ethan grounding her, that cold demeanor of his still deeply pierced her heart. At this moment, she realized that he truly was no longer her Ethan.

The Ethan of the past would never have the heart to punish her.

The Ethan of the past only had eyes for her.

Carlotta left, and an aide approached Ethan Barnes and whispered, "Master, Miss Carlotta seemed very upset."

Ethan pressed his thin lips slightly, "She’s changed. The Carlotta I knew was kind, wouldn’t even hurt an ant, but look at what she’s done now, she poisoned someone with arsenic. I don’t know where she learned these methods, or how she turned into who she is now."

The aide hesitated, "I think Miss Carlotta must have found out about you and Miss Linden, and knows that Miss Linden is carrying your child."

"It’s obvious to anyone that you want to keep this child, you value Miss Linden, and slowly it seems Miss Linden and the child have become more important than Miss Carlotta, and that’s why Miss Carlotta has changed so drastically."

"Back then, Miss Carlotta risked her life to lure away the enemy for you, and unfortunately fell off a cliff, was found by a farmer, and was imprisoned for years, treated as someone else’s wife. Miss Carlotta is extremely sensitive and insecure inside, and now, you are the only person she can rely on."

"But now, all your love is gradually being given to Miss Linden. Miss Carlotta’s jealousy and insecurity drove her to extremes, resorting to such a vicious method as using arsenic."

Ethan looked up, casting a sinister glance at the aide, "Shut up."

The aide immediately fell silent, not daring to say another word.

"Get out. Just seeing you is annoying."

The aide quickly scurried away.

Standing alone by the floor-to-ceiling window in the study, Ethan irritably lit a cigar and began puffing out clouds of smoke.

What the aide had pointed out wasn’t wrong. Carlotta’s change was largely because of him; it was because of him that Carlotta turned out this way.

Carlotta was afraid of losing him.

Sometimes Ethan felt he was quite a scoundrel, downright a jerk. He should have treated Carlotta well, but he found himself increasingly drawn to being with Celeste Linden, even accepting her and the child in his life.

Up until now, he felt that it was Carlotta’s sudden appearance that disrupted the tranquil life he had with Celeste Linden.

Often, some things and some people just couldn’t go back to how they used to be, and his feelings for Carlotta were no exception.

He was no longer in love with Carlotta.

However, he felt responsible for Carlotta.

Because of this responsibility, he simply couldn’t let go of Carlotta’s hand.

Currently, he’s caught in a deadlock, unwilling to let go of Celeste Linden’s hand on one side, and unable to release Carlotta’s hand on the other.

...

Celeste Linden had been staying in her room, remaining quiet. She heard the commotion outside earlier, realizing that Carlotta had been grounded.

She knew it was Carlotta who poisoned her.

Celeste walked to the window, opened it, letting the cold night breeze blow against her face. It was ironic how someone as kind as Carlotta had twisted herself out of jealousy.

What was more ironic was that Celeste had contributed to Carlotta’s transformation. She had coldly watched the development of everything and even utilized it.

Ethan must be having a hard time right now.

Just then, there was a soft "click" as her door suddenly opened and someone walked in.

Celeste didn’t turn around; she knew just from the footsteps that it was Ethan who had entered.

Ethan walked over and wrapped his arm around her slender waist, hugging her from behind. "Why are you standing here spacing out? The window’s open and it’s so windy outside, aren’t you cold?"

Celeste shifted, trying to break free from his embrace.

But Ethan tightened his strong arms around her, pulling her securely into his arms, burying his handsome face in her hair, taking in a deep breath. "Don’t move, let me hold you for a while."

He lowered his eyes, appearing slightly weary.

"Have you found out who poisoned me?"

"Yes."

"Who? Carlotta?"

Ethan looked up and met Celeste’s clear, bright eyes in the reflection on the window glass, as she was watching him.

"Carlotta poisoned me, trying to kill me and the baby in my belly. What are you going to do with her, this perpetrator?"

Ethan furrowed his brows sharply, "Carlotta... After all these years, we have feelings for each other, but don’t worry, she won’t harm you anymore. I won’t let her get close to you again. I’ve already grounded her?"

"Grounded?" Celeste curled her red lips sarcastically, then forcefully pried his fingers apart, turning to leave.

Ethan caught her slender wrist, "Are you angry?"

"What do you think? If you hadn’t discovered the poisoned fruit, and if you weren’t home, the next thing you’d see would be my and the child’s corpses. I’m not magnanimous enough to become friends with someone who wants me dead. Of course, this doesn’t affect your decision. After all, she is your Carlotta, the Carlotta you vowed to protect forever."

Ethan’s defined brow knitted deeply, "Alright, don’t be mad. If you’re unhappy, just scold me."

"You’ve grounded Carlotta, and then what, will you ground her for a lifetime?"

"I..."

Celeste looked into his eyes, "Ethan, you should always maintain the image of a devoted lover without any waver. Since you can’t betray Carlotta, then let me go."

Ethan pressed his lips together, "Celeste, in the end, you still want to leave. Haven’t I been good to you? What more could you want from me, do you want me to kill Carlotta to vent your anger?"

He himself was vexed, stuck between Carlotta and her, he felt troubled.

After dealing with Carlotta, he had to come and coax her, which was exhausting.

"Ethan, you still don’t understand. It’s not that we won’t let you go, but you won’t let us go."

"You’ll never solve the problem this way. My stomach will grow bigger by the day, and then the child will be born. If you sincerely love Carlotta and feel guilty towards her, how can you bear to let me and the child wander before her eyes, it’s like you’re flaying her alive with a knife, don’t you understand?"

Ethan fell silent all of a sudden, saying nothing.