### Chapter 4: So, He Had an Unforgettable Love
That evening, Maxine Rhodes returned to Cloudview Apartnts and imdiately plugged her phone in to charge.
"You’re back?"
Ethan Hawthorne was sitting on the living room sofa, reading a docunt. The warm yellow light fell on his well-defined profile, adding a touch of gentle dosticity to his features.
His gaze swept over the shopping bag in her hand. A flicker of pleasure rose in his heart as he saw that his wife had used his card to buy sothing.
Maxine Rhodes placed her things in the entryway, then walked over to him, her expression solemn. "Mr. Hawthorne, my phone died today, and I left my wallet in the car. I had no choice but to use your card. The clothes and cufflinks ca to a total of 28,000. I’ll transfer the money to you now."
As Maxine Rhodes’s fingers tapped on the screen, Benjamin Sterling’s harsh words echoed uncontrollably in her mind.
"You won just love to waste money!"
"Who are you getting all dressed up for?"
Every ti she bought sothing nice, even with her own money, he interpreted it as vanity and materialism.
Eventually, she stopped spending a single cent of his money.
That was why she couldn’t let herself get used to getting sothing for nothing. What she needed was an equal partnership.
Ethan Hawthorne raised an eyebrow and looked at her. "You don’t have to transfer it. We’re married. Legally, half of my assets are yours. You’re spending your own family’s money; there’s no need to feel burdened."
"I know." Her fingertip hovered over the send button. "But I can afford my own expenses. Besides, this is a partnership between us. It’s better to keep things clear."
Looking at her tense profile and the money that was transferred the mont her phone was charged, the flicker of disappointnt Ethan felt at being rejected was instantly replaced by a pang of heartache.
’What on earth did she go through with Benjamin Sterling to make her treat a simple purchase so seriously?’
But he knew that insisting now would only heighten her anxiety.
’He couldn’t rush this. He had to take it slow. He had to show her through his actions that with him, she could accept everything without feeling indebted.’
"Alright." He didn’t insist. "As you wish."
He then pointed to the master bedroom. "The room is ready. You’ll stay in the master bedroom from now on. The door can be locked from the inside, and no key can open it from the outside."
"It might be hard to get used to a new place. I’ll be in the room next door. If you need anything at all, you can find anyti."
After he spoke, the door was gently closed. Maxine Rhodes stood frozen, the softest part of her heart touched.
’This man always had the most considerate way of giving her the most solid sense of security.’
As Maxine Rhodes was back in her room organizing her new clothes, she accidentally knocked a wooden box from a hidden compartnt in the closet. It fell to the floor, its contents scattering.
It was an old photograph, its edges worn, clearly having been rubbed countless tis.
In the photo, a girl in a school uniform glanced back by the edge of a sports field. The sunlight gilded her silhouette with a soft glow. Though the photo was blurry from a distance, you could still feel her vibrant energy.
Maxine Rhodes picked up the photo and saw Ethan Hawthorne’s sharp, familiar handwriting on the back:
"September 20, 2015"
"If ti could turn back, my only wish is that she would turn and see ."
Next to it was a colorful candy wrapper that had been carefully unwrapped, then ticulously smoothed out and preserved.
’So that’s how it is.’
Maxine Rhodes’s heart slowly sank. All the clues now connected: the clothes in the closet that fit her perfectly, the dazed way he sotis stared at her, that kiss that had nearly spun out of control...
It was all because of this girl he had secretly loved for ten years.
The little warmth that had blood in Maxine Rhodes’s heart from his thoughtfulness quietly cooled.
’So all the special treatnt was because of another girl’s shadow. But maybe that was for the best. It made this transaction even more straightforward.’
’She just had to be the dutiful Mrs. Hawthorne and not hope for things that weren’t ant for her in the first place.’
Just then, Maxine Rhodes’s phone rang.
"President Warren?" she answered, her tone professionally crisp.
"Max! I have fantastic news for you!" The voice on the other end was giddy with excitent. "That Caelus Project proposal you submitted—our board of directors just approved it unanimously! They specifically requested you to lead it. When are you free? We need to nail down the contract details as soon as possible."
Maxine Rhodes gripped the phone, her fingers tightening slightly.
The Caelus Project...
The proposal she had poured countless hours and sleepless nights into polishing, the one that should have been the cornerstone for her to establish herself and prove her worth at The Sterlings, had finally co to fruition.
But only after she had completely fallen out with Benjamin Sterling and beco Mrs. Hawthorne.
President Warren’s excited voice continued on the other end of the line, but countless images flashed through Maxine Rhodes’s mind.
While she was pulling all-nighters to revise the proposal, Benjamin Sterling was out enjoying himself at a bar with Rose Joyce in his arms.
While she was fighting tooth and nail to win over clients, Benjamin Sterling would casually tell her not to embarrass the company.
She had worked herself to the bone, single-handedly supporting most of the company’s business and Benjamin Sterling himself, yet all he knew how to do was womanize.
Why should the empire she built with her blood, sweat, and tears be handed over to that scumbag couple who only knew how to reap the rewards?
Didn’t Benjamin Sterling think she was worthless without him? Didn’t he think everything she had was a handout from him?
In that case, she would personally rip out everything he relied on by the roots and take it all back!
"President Warren, thank you so much for your trust." Maxine Rhodes’s voice was perfectly calm. "I can co to your office tomorrow at ten in the morning to discuss the details. Would that be acceptable?"
After receiving an affirmative reply, Maxine Rhodes hung up the phone.
She turned and went upstairs, stopping in front of Ethan Hawthorne’s study. The door was ajar, and she knocked.
"Co in."
Maxine Rhodes pushed the door open, but the sight that t her eyes made her freeze on the spot. Ethan Hawthorne was in the middle of changing. The smooth lines of his shoulders and back and his firm muscles were on full display under the light.
He turned his head and saw Maxine, not a trace of embarrassnt on his face. Instead, he watched her frozen figure and faintly blushing cheeks with a leisurely air.
"You... you... you..." For once, Maxine Rhodes stamred. "Why are you changing in the study!"
Ethan Hawthorne let out a low chuckle and continued to button his shirt with unhurried movents. "I’m used to not wearing clothes at ho. I was afraid you’d be shy if you ca in, so I specifically put this on."
His matter-of-fact tone made it seem like she was the one overreacting.
"Just put your clothes on properly!" She averted her gaze, the tips of her ears burning.
Seeing her like this, the smile in Ethan Hawthorne’s eyes deepened. "I’m dressed. Mrs. Hawthorne, is there sothing you needed to see about so late at night?"
Maxine Rhodes took a deep breath, quickly composed herself, and forced her voice to sound steady. "Mr. Hawthorne, I’d like to know if the Hawthorne Group is involved in any projects that integrate comrcial real estate and technology."
Ethan Hawthorne turned to face her, his gaze profound. "The Hawthorne Group has a very broad business portfolio. Why? Do you have an idea?"
"Mhm," Maxine Rhodes nodded, but decided to be mysterious, a slight smile playing on her lips. "A wedding gift for you."
With that, she turned to leave, but Ethan Hawthorne stopped her.
"Wait."
Ethan Hawthorne smiled and took a few steps closer, and the fresh, clean scent from his recent shower instantly enveloped her.
He stopped a step away from her, a distance that was perfectly intimate without being oppressive.
"As you said, we’re newlyweds," his voice was low and gentle. "About the money..."
Maxine Rhodes looked up at him.
"From now on, if you feel burdened by using my money..." He leaned in slightly, closing the distance between them imperceptibly. "...then just give a gift of equal value."
"Maxine Rhodes," he said her na, the last syllable lingering with a special charm. "We’re husband and wife. There’s no need to keep such clear accounts, and certainly no need to be so distant. This way, it respects your principles, and it gives , your husband, a legitimate reason to enjoy the feeling of being on my wife’s mind."
"What do you say... wifey?"
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