"Zoe!"
The intimate voice interrupted her memories, as Serena Sullivan watched Ethan Grant stagger into the dimly lit room, surrounded by the chill from outside and the smell of smoke emanating from him.
He sat drunkenly at the edge of the bed, his blurry gaze deeply fixed on the woman in front of him, and reached out to touch her face, his mouth curling into a smile.
Before Serena could react, he drew her tightly into his arms, as if trying to embed her into his bones.
"Zoe, you've finally become my wife!"
Zoe! That name caused Serena's heart to clench, though a smile appeared on her face.
Ethan was drunk and had mistaken her for Zoe Quinn.
She reached out to push Ethan away, but he held her tighter, forcing her to laugh and remind him, "Mr. Grant, it's me—Serena Sullivan!"
This sentence brought the drunk Ethan back to clarity. He quickly pushed away the person in his arms, stood up, and saw that the person on the bed was indeed Serena. His face turned gloomy, and his voice followed, "Who allowed you to be on the bed meant for Zoe and me? Get out!"
Serena's expression changed as she looked at the bright red bridal quilt covering her, wondering if Ethan and Zoe had rolled around on this bed.
Thinking about those unbearable images, nausea rose within Serena, making her feel as though she would vomit the small portion of dinner from her stomach.
Watching Serena about to retch, Ethan's gaze grew even colder. He said disdainfully, "Serena, don't think that kissing you means we can start over!"
"Even if I marry you, the person I love is Zoe Quinn!"
Serena took several deep breaths to calm her emotions, "I know Mr. Grant better than anyone."
"This marriage..."
Before Serena could finish, Ethan sneered and retorted, "You know me?"
The fire in his eyes seemed extinguished at that moment, turning into something infinitely complex and unfathomable, making Serena's heart feel stifled and uncomfortable.
"Ethan Grant, a year's time limit!"
"What year?"
Ethan coldly glanced at her and questioned.
"After a year, we'll divorce by agreement!"
Serena looked at Ethan and said with a smile.
A year later, she would have completed what she needed to do and return Ethan his freedom.
"Serena!"
Ethan's emotion surged instantly, veins bulging on his forehead as he grasped Serena's neck, the delicate and fragile spot requiring only a light squeeze to break.
"Quite the calculation!"
"Marrying me, getting the benefits you wanted."
"Serena, what do you take me for!"
He said through gritted teeth, his eyes cold as he fiercely stared at Serena, squeezing harder, making her unable to breathe. Serena had no doubt that this man hated her enough to choke her to death.
She was wrong to break him and Zoe apart, but the Sullivan Corporation could never fall into Zoe and their hands. The quickest way now was to marry Ethan Grant.
"From now on, I will call the shots in this marriage." He said distinctly, with clenched teeth, increasing the pressure, his hands trembling slightly.
Serena thought she might be strangled by Ethan tonight as he flung her onto the bed and commanded coldly.
"Get out!"
Lying on the bed, Serena watched Ethan turn his back on her, taking out a cigarette and lighting it, inhaling deeply, filling the room with thick smoke.
Four years ago, Ethan hadn't fallen into smoking and drinking despite his temper. Now, after four years, not only was his temper frightening, but his smoking was so severe it seemed reckless.
"Mr. Grant, please call a servant in, I can't roll out!"
Rendered helpless, Serena couldn't even get off the bed, let alone leave the room.
Ethan turned his head to see Serena smiling at him under the light, feeling a surge of irritation as he quickly crushed the cigarette butt and turned, face darkened, to carry Serena out and throw her onto the carpet.