Chapter 76

In the end, Ethan went back to the master bedroom alone.

The next morning, Alice straightened Caroline out and got ready to leave the house. Ethan said he

would be staying at home with Caroline today, so she wanted to go out to avoid him.

In the bedroom, Ethan looked at Caroline. “So, who do you want to be with today? Me or Mommy?”

“I want both of you to be with me.” Caroline didn’t even hesitate when she answered him.

“Well… I am amenable to that arrangement, but you’d have to come up with a plan to execute it,” Ethan

said calmly. He didn’t look upset or anything.

Caroline blinked and broke into a smile. “I know what you mean. I’ll try to keep her around.”

She’s smart. Ethan smiled happily.

The girl hopped and skipped to Alice’s room, but then she stopped in front of Alice’s door and turned to

look at Ethan. “Were you forcing yourself to do this, Daddy? Mommy said I shouldn’t force anyone to

do anything they don’t like. Are you feeling upset because you had to play with me, or because of

Mommy? You don’t have to do this. I’m fine with just Mommy,” said the girl without stopping, not giving

Ethan a chance to respond.

“I think you should get your forehead flicked.” Ethan flicked her forehead. It didn’t hurt, since he didn’t

use any force. He could see that the girl did it on purpose. When he came back the day before, he did

everything carefully for fear of scaring her, but now he realized the girl was a lot cheekier than he

thought. She would be fidgety if he was careful around her, so instead he opted to do what he wanted

to do.

Indeed, the flick made her smile brighter. “Don’t do that. I’ll finish my job.” The girl was smart enough to

figure out what Ethan wanted to do.

Ethan said nothing. “You know what to do, don’t you?”

“Yeah. No matter where she goes or what she does, I’m staying with her all the time. You can just…

stay with me all the time then.” I am such a smart girl. “I’m nice to you, aren’t I?”

“Yep.” Ethan chuckled. You are indeed nice sometimes.

“Let’s go, Daddy. Let’s hope this plan works.” Caroline patted Ethan, her eyes filled with light.

“Sure.” Ethan’s smile got bigger. He could see that Alice taught Caroline well. She was smart, sensible,

caring, and opinionated. When Alice told him she would stay away whenever he was around, he knew

she wasn’t kidding. So, all I have to do is make sure you can’t stay away from me. It was a good plan,

but not everything could work out as he intended it to be.

Caroline left the room and noticed Alice going out when she went downstairs. “Where are you going,

Mommy?” I promised Daddy, so I can’t let Mommy leave. She darted downstairs and pounced at Alice

to give her a hug.

“I have some business to settle.” Alice was surprised Caroline would pounce at her. She was clingy, but

she never was this exaggerated.

“What business?” Caroline held her leg, refusing to let go.

“Um… grocery shopping.” In fact, she just wanted to avoid Ethan.

“I want to go too.” I promised I’d go anywhere she goes. “I’m going with you anywhere you go, and

Daddy’s coming with me.”

Alice was shocked. What did she say? She wants Ethan to follow her? Wait, so that means we’re going

out together? What is this? The agreement clearly states that this marriage is a secret one. We can’t

tell anyone. If Ethan goes anywhere with me, he might be recognized.

Ethan seldom showed his face in public, and not many people knew him, but a lot of people knew her.

She was already a controversial figure whom the media loved to write a lot of gossip about, to begin

with. If she were to be seen going out with a child and a man, the media would have a field day with

her. They might figure out who Ethan and Caroline were. I can’t let him come with me.

Alice looked at Ethan. He was scrolling through his phone, seemingly oblivious to the conversation. Or

maybe he heard everything, but he pretended not to. He was the one who wanted the marriage to

remain a secret. He’s probably too shy to say no to Caroline, so he’s pretending that he hasn’t heard

us.

I mean, I can be the bad cop anyway, so… If he can’t say no, then I’ll say no. “I have to meet up with

someone, and it’s getting late, so I have to leave.”

“You’re ditching your lovely daughter and hot husband to date a… a philandering cad? You think your

paramour is more important than your family?” For once, Caroline was throwing a tantrum.

Alice almost choked on herself. Where did you learn those words? And what do you mean my child and

husband? You’ll not be my child soon, and that man is not my husband.

Ethan smiled. He was surprised the girl could speak so well. Even Lawrence, who just came down with

Rosy, chuckled. Rosy’s jaw dropped.

Alice looked to Ethan for help. The agreement said that their marriage was to be a secret. He must not

want anyone to know we’re married. Come on, do something, Ethan.

Ethan remained calm, as if this was not his business.

After failing to get any help, Alice turned to Caroline again. “Caroline, I…” Caroline was a smart and

understanding girl, and Alice thought she could get through to her.