CHAPTER 38: CHAPTER 38: THE ADULT WHO WORRIED SETH STERLING SICK

Honey was overjoyed, keeping Seth Sterling chatting non-stop after dinner. Laughing and playing, she quickly fell asleep after taking a bath and listening to Ruby Sullivan tell a story.

Ruby got out of bed and lay beside Seth, continuing to read to him. Ruby thought Seth wouldn’t like these childish fairy tales, but he seemed more energized as he listened.

She glanced at the time and put down the book, "Aren’t you tired at all?"

Seth pursed his lips and admitted, "Actually, I’m a bit tired, but I really like the way you tell stories, so I want to listen a little longer." He looked as if he’d done something wrong, avoiding Ruby’s eyes.

Ruby was a mother herself, and although she had some reservations about Seth’s biological mother, seeing him like this made her feel compassionate. She reached out to touch his head, "Does your dad tell you stories?"

Seth shook his head, "He only started having fewer social engagements this year. Before, he was always busy. Mrs. Sullivan used to tell me stories..." He watched Ruby’s expression, afraid he might say something inappropriate.

Ruby smiled, somewhat curious, "You don’t like that Mrs. Sullivan?"

"Of course not," Seth said firmly, "She doesn’t like me either; she’s just pretending to be nice because of my dad."

"Well... do you like me?"

Seth looked at her pretty eyes, suddenly blushing and nodding with a silly smile, "I don’t know why, but I liked you the first time I saw you."

Ruby was delighted to hear this, and she ruffled his hair, "Then whenever you have the chance, you can come over and visit, and I’ll tell you stories again. But for now, it’s time to sleep, and I need to go to bed early too."

After speaking, she tucked Seth in and lay down beside him.

She thought of the message she’d sent Sasha Shaw earlier, who hadn’t replied. That girl was still busy with the crew, and indeed had no time tomorrow.

She had suggested having a meal together but worried if she mentioned going to the hospital, Sasha would rush over dropping work. Luckily, Mama Bennett was there, she could call a car and take Honey along tomorrow.

The Sterling Family.

Ethan Sterling drank a bit too much today, almost falling asleep in the car.

Since the Sterling Group’s position was established, he seldom attended these meaningless banquets, but today, he wanted an excuse not to see her.

When he got home, he instinctively called out for Mama Bennett to make him some sobering soup, only to be reminded by a servant that she had returned to her hometown for a while due to matters at Auntie Wenny’s home.

He tugged at his tie, about to go upstairs when Rhonda Sullivan rushed down, looking concerned, "Ethan, why did you drink so much? I’ll make you some sobering soup right away."

Ethan frowned and grabbed her arm, "Why are you here?"

Rhonda pressed her lips in grievance, "I came to deliver clothes to you, didn’t expect you back so late..." She lowered her head, "If you don’t want me here, I’ll leave."

After thinking for a moment, Ethan slowly let go, "Forget it." He said, wandering upstairs.

Worried he might fall, Rhonda hurried to help but was brushed off.

In a moment of awkwardness, she remained stiff in place.

Ethan glanced at her, "It’s late, you should go to bed."

Rhonda felt a pang in her heart, obediently answered, but her eyes were full of loneliness.

Soaking in the bath, Ethan eventually sobered up but found his mind lost control, filled with Ruby Sullivan and Wenny.

Their looks and demeanor inexplicably overlapped.

Ruby was clearly a chubby woman, her facial meat squashing her features, how could it overlap with Wenny’s face?

Was he truly going mad?

But even lying in bed, his thoughts continued to wander.

He first saw Ruby when she was six, at her mother’s funeral.

She wore a black princess dress and, as she stepped forward to say goodbye to her mother, pulled a piece of candy from her pocket facing the black-and-white photograph at the memorial. Suddenly, she grinned. At a time when she was losing teeth, her grin revealed a row of white teeth with several black gaps.

He thought she must be a fool.

They met again a year later at Ethan’s father’s funeral.

Standing beside his mother, he cried until his eyes were swollen and his throat hoarse. She accompanied her father to pay condolences, also in a black long dress, seemingly much taller, with hair past her shoulders, her big eyes were like a fairy mistakenly in the mortal world, and as she passed him, she placed a piece of candy in his and his brother’s hands.

She said, "Mr. Sterling wouldn’t want to see you sad up there." Then she smiled, her teeth still hadn’t fully grown.

Furious, he threw the candy to the ground, calling her a fool.

Frightened, she hid behind her father, her big eyes blinking, tears brimming.

Later, whenever he was home on vacation, he could see her, and eventually, she inexplicably became his wife.

Ethan clenched his fists, a cold light glinting in his eyes, "Ruby Sullivan, Wenny, what game are you playing?"

The next day, Ethan was awakened by the persistent ringing of his phone, with Seth urging frantically, "Dad, Auntie Wenny is calling a car to the hospital for a follow-up appointment; hurry up, be here within half an hour!"

Stunned, Ethan instinctively sat up, immediately prepared to leave, slid his feet into slippers but stopped.

Since when did he, Ethan Sterling, any need to placate a woman like a fool?

This question seemed complicated, not suitable for a man hung over and not entirely awake, so after a few seconds of muddling over it, he decided to head out first and figure it out later.

At the Sullivan Family home, Ruby Sullivan, about to wash up, overheard Seth’s muffled yet audible voice from the bathroom and couldn’t help but laugh.

Recalling Honey often said Seth worried himself sick over his dad’s love issues, she wondered if the grown-up causing him concern might be herself.

Still, for Seth’s sake, Ruby didn’t rush to order a car, savoring a cup of coffee after breakfast.

Before long, Ethan Sterling appeared at the door with an air of composure, "I’m here to pick up my son."

Raising an eyebrow, Ruby smiled, "Ethan, perfect timing, I need to go to the hospital for a follow-up appointment today, haven’t found anyone to take me. Could I trouble you?"

Seth and Honey ran out from inside, Seth laughed, "Dad, rest assured, take Auntie Wenny to the hospital, I’ll stay home with Honey, and Mama Bennett will look after us."

Honey had been coached well by Seth, and she sweetly said, "Thank you, Mr. Sterling, I’ll entrust Mom to you."

Ruby felt a bead of cold sweat hearing this; her silly daughter just handed her over like that?

Ethan’s brows twitched slightly, maintaining his composure, he said, "In that case, I’ll go through the trouble."

Ruby played along, "Thank you for the effort."