Obedience No More He's the One I Deserved novel Chapter 157

With Tara and Dawn around, this house was bound to be lively.

Ethan set the milk back down and glanced at the girl beside him.

She slid her plate toward him, smiling. "I'm already full. Enjoy your meal."

His expression softened as he sat next to her.

"Mom likes to joke too much. Don't let her influence you."

Dawn widened her eyes on purpose., "Maybe I'm not such a saint either. Doesn't that scare you?"

Her reputation had never been good, not until the whole mess with Austin forced her to grow up.

Ethan looked straight at her, calm and steady. "Thinking about selling me off?"

"Maybe."

"Then I hope you'd at least get a good price."

His serious tone threw her for a beat. Before she could say anything, he stabbed a piece of kiwi and fed it to her. "If you do the shady work, I'll hide the evidence and count the profit. Would that make you keep me around a little longer?"

" ... What the heck."

Dawn chewed, swallowed, and said, "If anyone is selling, it'd be you selling me."

A businessman like him never liked losing out in a deal.

Ethan just smiled and let it drop.

They chatted idly for a bit. In the living room, Tara answered a phone call that sounded like it was from Will.

Dawn leaned in, whispering, "We already registered the marriage. Shouldn't we visit your dad sometime? And ... when should I start calling them differently?"

Ethan turned, meeting her bright eyes. It didn't look like she was talking about something as serious as meeting parents. It looked more like a mischievous child plotting trouble with a playmate.

She acted exactly as she did years ago.

When he didn't answer, she nudged his arm. "I'm talking to you."

"At the wedding." His throat moved as he spoke, his gaze grew thoughtful. "Just stick to the normal custom. Change how you call them during the ceremony.

"As for my dad, don't bother flying out. With Mom back, he won't stay overseas for long."

Dawn nodded thoughtfully, not asking more.

She honestly didn't care much about a wedding. But with the Jacksons, and Ethan being the only son, they'd for sure want to host a grand one.

"The wedding is your choice."

Dawn laughed. "They're your friends. Of course I'll go."

She knew Ethan's group—Alex, Brogan, and Alice. They'd grown up together and were practically inseparable.

She'd met them when she was a kid, so they weren't strangers.

"I'll pick you up after work."

"Okay."

Dawn waved. "Go on. Drive safe."

Once she went upstairs, her phone rang. It was Lucas.

They hadn't talked since last time, and she'd been waiting for an explanation.

He started apologizing right away. "Dawn, I'm so sorry. Something came up, then I got busy and forgot to call. You didn't wait too long, right?"

She frowned slightly. "No."

He sighed in relief, thinking she wasn't upset.

But before he could smooth things over, her clear voice cut in. "By the way, are you close with Uncle Austin? Why was he there that day?"