Though paralyzed, still radiantly charming!

Chapter 363: That’s weird…

Ethan was watching a Korean drama on TV, slapping his thigh and laughing out loud with an unusual “ha-ha-ha” sound.

There wasn’t any particular reason—he just found it hilarious.

I mean, where in real life would a son dare talk to his dad like that? And even if he wanted to rebel, did he really have the guts?

But his laughter abruptly stopped in the next second, and he quickly returned to his usual self.

He had sensed someone watching him. At some point, Vanessa had woken up and was now staring at him with a look of pure terror.

Did I scare her with my laugh?

Ethan cleared his throat, trying to play it cool, and greeted her like nothing had happened. “Oh, you’re awake?”

But as soon as he said that, he noticed Vanessa trembling even more. Her reaction left him completely baffled, and he couldn’t help but stare at her.

“W-What are you trying to do!?” Vanessa stammered, her voice filled with panic. She was scanning the room, clearly looking for an escape route.

“Huh? I’m not trying to do anything,” Ethan replied instinctively.

Then it hit him—he finally understood why she was acting like this.

Does she think I’m some kind of kidnapper or something?

Seriously? What’s with you ex-VIBRAMYST band members? Ethan thought, feeling a bit exasperated. Not long ago, Zara mistook me for a creep and kicked me in the chest, and now Vanessa thinks I’m a criminal.

Frustrated, Ethan turned off the TV and switched on the lights.

Once the room lit up, Vanessa realized the place wasn’t what she had imagined. It was more like a private karaoke room, but much bigger.

And now that she could see him clearly, the guy didn’t look like some kind of psycho kidnapper. Maybe there had been a misunderstanding?

Ethan sighed and explained, a bit annoyed, “You passed out earlier. This is the break room at the supermarket. I asked Olivia, one of the staff, to help move you here. So, don’t worry—I didn’t touch you or anything. And I’m not a creep.”

Vanessa let out a sigh of relief, but her face quickly flushed with embarrassment. She felt mortified that her thoughts had been so off-base.

“I-I’m sorry. And thank you,” she stammered, first apologizing and then thanking him. But as she looked at the guy in front of her, she suddenly froze.

Ethan noticed her reaction and was just as confused. Wait, so when the lights were off, she thought I was a pervert, but now that they’re on, she’s staring at me like she’s in a daze? Vanessa’s mental resilience could use some work.

But he could understand. I mean, with a face like mine, what girl wouldn’t be a little flustered?

Vanessa, completely unaware of Ethan’s inner monologue, was frozen for a different reason. She had seen this guy before.

It was last May, on a rainy day she would never forget. At the lowest, most desperate moment of her life, this very person had handed her an umbrella.

She remembered how he had been a bit forceful, not caring whether she accepted it or not, and had shoved the umbrella into her hands.

At first, she thought he was trying to hit on her or something, but he didn’t say a single unnecessary word. After giving her the umbrella, he ran off into the rain without looking back.

She had watched his slightly awkward figure disappear into the downpour and realized she had completely misunderstood him.

Feeling a bit guilty, she had also felt a rare warmth during one of the coldest moments of her life.

That’s why she remembered him so clearly. The umbrella was still at her place, and she had always thought about returning it if she ever got the chance. She never expected to run into him again like this.

“Um, I—”

Just as Vanessa was about to speak, her stomach growled loudly, cutting her off. She blushed again, embarrassed beyond belief.

But then she saw Ethan glance at her, let out a small huff, and stand up to leave.

Is he still mad at me?

Vanessa felt a wave of anxiety. She put herself in his shoes and realized that if someone had misunderstood her like that, she’d be pretty upset too.

But before she could dwell on it for long, Ethan returned, holding two sandwiches.

Even though he hadn’t completely forgiven her, Ethan couldn’t just let her go hungry.

Ethan handed one of the sandwiches to Vanessa and said, “I know you’ve got a lot of questions, but let’s eat first. I accidentally bought too many sandwiches earlier, and I can’t finish them. To avoid wasting food, could you help me out and eat this one?”

Vanessa looked up at him, staring intently.

She could tell right away that his excuse was total nonsense. Who accidentally buys too many sandwiches? Unless, of course, he did it on purpose.

This made her think back to that rainy day last year. Back then, he had also come up with a clumsy excuse before forcing the only umbrella he had into her hands.

He might have a bit of a prideful streak, but he’s a good guy—just a little awkward.

As these thoughts crossed her mind, Vanessa felt a familiar warmth spread through her chest.

And realizing that Ethan wasn’t actually mad at her, she relaxed a little. She took the sandwich and, with a sincere tone, thanked him.

Her straightforwardness caught Ethan off guard. He had expected her to refuse at first, and he was already mentally prepared to insist a few times.

What did this mean?

It meant Vanessa was really hungry!

Vanessa noticed that the sandwich in her hand was the same one she had been reaching for before she passed out. Now that she thought about it, she still didn’t know why she had fainted in the first place.

She was about to ask, but Ethan cut her off, telling her to eat first and talk later.

At that moment, her stomach growled again, making her even more embarrassed. She had no choice but to accept his kindness and start eating the sandwich.

It was a beef sandwich that had already been heated, and as soon as she opened the wrapper, the delicious aroma hit her.

She took a bite of the grilled beef, and her eyes widened in surprise. The quality of the beef was unexpectedly high, and the flavor was incredible. It was so good that she almost felt like she was dining at a five-star restaurant.

Is this really just a sandwich?

Vanessa thought this might be the best dinner she’d ever had, but it wasn’t just because of the sandwich itself.

She glanced over at Ethan, trying to be subtle.

Come to think of it, this was the first time in a long while that she’d had dinner with someone else. And it was the first time she’d shared a meal with a guy who wasn’t family.

Even though this was only their second meeting, each time she encountered him, he brought her a little warmth.

When her life had hit rock bottom, this guy always seemed to show up and give her a hand.

Whether it was an umbrella or a warm sandwich, he reminded her that life could go on.

Before she knew it, Vanessa’s vision started to blur. Tears were slipping from her eyes.

“Huh? That’s weird… why am I…?”

Realizing she was crying, Vanessa hurriedly wiped her tears away, but the more she wiped, the more they fell.

She had thought that the weak version of herself had died long ago, that no matter how tough life got, she could face it head-on.

But the warmth in her heart had easily broken through the walls she had built.

The tears wouldn’t stop, falling like large pearls one after another.