Chapter 170: Like Nothing Even Happened
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I hung around in the entryway for a while after Ethan’s departure, his goodbye still echoing softly in the air like a faint whisper. The house seemed to expand in his absence, the lofty ceilings and polished floors stretching out around me, making the silence weigh heavily on my skin.
I wrapped my arms around myself and stared at the spot where he had just been, feeling the warmth of his kiss still lingering on my lips, while Adrien’s felt like a brand, more intense and impossible to shake off.
God, please help me.
Soft footsteps approached from the hallway, and I recognized one of the maids, Maria, if I remembered correctly (yes, I took note of all their names) who came in with a small smile as she reached for the silver tea tray Ethan and I had left on the console table. I instinctively stepped forward and gently took it from her hands.
"I’ll handle that, miss" I said quietly, managing a small smile of my own. "It’s really no trouble."
Maria’s expression softened, the lines around her eyes crinkling with understanding. She had been around long enough to know I wasn’t one to demand attention or complicate anyone’s job; in fact, I preferred to blend into the background.
"Thank you, Mr. Noah" she murmured, giving my arm a light pat before turning away, her footsteps retreating gracefully down the hallway.
The tray turned out to be heavier than I anticipated, porcelain cups clinking softly against their saucers as I made my way to the sprawling kitchen at the back of the mansion. Sunlight streamed in through the tall windows, glinting off the marble countertops and the gleaming stainless-steel appliances that resembled art pieces more than cooking tools. The chef, was at the island, chopping herbs with a rhythmic precision, the sharp scent of fresh basil filling the air.
He looked up as I walked in, his round face lighting up with a friendly grin. "Mr. Noah! You’re looking a bit pale today. Are you hungry?"