Chapter 206: He Died in the Car Accident

I was startled by Carter’s words, and only then did I really look at him. He wore a deep gray wool sweater with a high collar, and from this close, I could clearly see the fine, soft fibers. The sweater added warmth to his otherwise cool demeanor. Years ago, I knew Carter’s looks were the most refined I’d ever seen in a man. He wasn’t just handsome—his features were sharply defined, almost sculpted, his face exuding a quiet elegance. I had never met his biological mother, but I had heard whispers that he had mixed heritage. Still, he retained his Cobleau roots in his appearance—though his skin was fair and his features deep-set, his eyes were darker than most. When those eyes looked at you coldly, they conveyed an aura of power without anger. But when he gazed at you with tenderness, it felt like the male lead of a romance novel stepping from a screen into real life. His voice, too, was magnetic, impossible to resist.

I felt a wave of panic, my heart racing as I nervously parted my lips, unsure how to respond. “You… when did you…?” I stammered. Carter’s fingers gently brushed my face, and he said, “Zoey, I originally wanted to wait until you were older, until you were ready to accept me, before we talked about this. But these past two days without you, I couldn’t sleep. When I was awake, it was you on my mind. When I slept, you were still there in my dreams.”

His confession, so direct and passionate, made the intense tension in the air impossible to ignore. I was overwhelmed, unable to control the situation, my breath quickening. He rested his chin against my neck, his warm breath making my body tremble. “Zoey, I can’t wait any longer. I want you to be my wife, completely. Will you?” he asked.

I looked into his eyes, so close now, and saw not the pride and arrogance I was used to, but a vulnerable yearning. That vulnerability made it impossible for me to refuse. “Can you… give me some time to think it over? I’m sorry, but I can’t give you an answer right now.” Everything was happening too fast. I knew my reasons for marrying him weren’t entirely pure. Along with the journey, Carter had helped me a lot, and it was only natural for a man of his age to have certain desires, so I understood his proposition. After all, there was no such thing as a free lunch in life, and if this was a transaction, I didn’t think I would regret it.

But I wasn’t sure what kind of feelings he had for me. Regardless of what kind of love it was, I couldn’t return it. In my past life, I had loved a man so deeply, and it had led to my tragic death. I couldn’t risk my feelings again for an uncertain outcome. When a woman loves the wrong man, the consequences are severe. I had learned that lesson the hard way. Worse, the man who had killed me was still free, and I had no idea what other plots he might be involved in. I didn’t want to get tangled up in matters of the heart again. But Carter had been good to me, and I would still need his help in the future.

I bit my lip, making a difficult decision. “If you really want this, I can help you.” Perhaps he saw the hesitation in my eyes, as he sighed softly and gently pressed my head to his chest. “It’s alright. I can wait. I won’t rush you. But tell me, would you hate it if I kissed you?”

I thought for a moment, then answered honestly. “No, I wouldn’t.”

“That’s good. We’ll take it step by step, alright?”

I nodded obediently, understanding his compromise. “Okay.” He rubbed my head gently and said, “I’ve packed everything. Philippa told me you made soup for me?”

“Yeah, I’m not sure if you’ll like it though.”

“I like whatever you make. I’m hungry!”

“Then I’ll go back to the kitchen.”

The weight on my shoulders lightened, and I happily ran back to the kitchen. Carter didn’t pressure me. He was different from other men. I also wanted to do something for him in return. Bill and Philippa weren’t in the living room, and I didn’t want to meddle in their situation. When dinner was ready, I went upstairs to call them. Mom still looked upset, and she had a new diamond necklace adorning her neck. It was obvious who had forced it on her. But she wasn’t the same as before. She looked at me and said, “Zoey, can you take this necklace off for me?” Bill glared at her, but she was no longer willing to play the obedient wife game.

I couldn’t help but smile. “Sure.” The dinner went smoothly without any major issues. Carter honored me by eating more than usual. After the meal, Bill shot him a glance and asked, “Aren’t you going back to your own house?”

Carter closed the magazine in his hands and said, “Where my wife is, that’s where I’ll be. Wherever she is, that’s my home. By the way, Bill, where’s your home?”

I almost wanted to applaud Carter. He hadn’t uttered a single curse word, yet his words cut straight to Bill’s heart. Smiling at Bill, I added, “Yeah, isn’t your home with your hypocritical mother and daughter? Why don’t you leave now?”

Bill grunted and declared, “This is my home! I’m not going anywhere.” He pulled a long face and went upstairs. I grew worried and wanted to follow him, but Carter grabbed my hand.

“Why are you getting involved in their marital issues? No matter how awful your father is, he won’t do anything to a pregnant woman.”

“Oh,” I scratched my head. “Let’s go back to our room. I’m sleepy. I haven’t slept well these past few days without you.”

My face flushed again. This bedroom wasn’t as big as the one at the estate, but before I could say anything, Carter lazily interrupted, “If you’re thinking of sleeping on the floor, I refuse. Zoey, I told you, we’re married.”

I quickly smiled sheepishly and said, “No, no, I just didn’t want to steal your blanket at night, so I thought we could have separate blankets, or separate beds.” My lie had so many flaws, but he didn’t call me out. Instead, he pulled me into his arms. “Zoey, I said I’d give you time to adjust, so let’s take the first step.”

“The first step?”

He coldly demanded, “Kiss me.” All our interactions up to this point had been initiated by him, as he tried to break down the walls around my heart. I had no way to refuse. Looking at his perfect face so close to mine, I didn’t dislike the idea of kissing him. It wasn’t something unbearable. But to be the one to initiate… I wasn’t sure.

I stared into his pupils, feeling a strange pull that made me inch closer. Our lips were just inches apart when suddenly, his phone rang. A flash of impatience crossed his face, and he gently reassured me, “Wait a moment.” He made it seem like I was the one in a hurry.

Carter answered the call, and the voice on the other end was clear. I hadn’t intended to eavesdrop, but the room was so quiet, and we were too close.

“Boss, the Sanders are in trouble.”

My breath caught as I looked at Carter’s phone.

“The Sanders were in a car accident. Ethan Sander is dead.”

Boom! It was like a bolt of lightning striking me in the face. Ethan. He was my brother from my past life.