Badass in Disguise (Shadow) novel Chapter 375

“I’ve been lying down too long,” I replied. “Let’s walk.”

“Wait here. I’ll get an umbrella.”

He returned with a long yellow umbrella, opening it above us as we stepped into the gently falling snow. His arm slipped around my shoulders, pulling me close as we walked toward his parents‘ home.

Before we reached the door, the butler hurried back inside to announce our arrival. Mrs. Haxton rushed to the entrance, followed by her husband.

As we approached, Mrs. Haxton greeted us with a warm smile. “You’re here!”

I hesitated, then removed my hand from my pocket and responded with a simple, “Hello.” I nodded respectfully to William Haxton as well.

Mrs. Haxton took my hand, patting it gently. “You must be freezing from the walk!”

“I’m fine,” I assured her.

“Let’s go inside,” Ethan suggested.

Mrs. Haxton immediately inquired about my health, mentioning how frightened they’d been when Ethan had carried my injured, unconscious body from his private helicopter months ago. He had explained it as a car accident.

Once she confirmed I was fully recovered, Mrs. Haxton turned to her silent husband. “Say something! Jade saved your life. The least you can do is thank her.”

She seemed distressed by her husband’s reticence, muttering, “Ethan’s almost thirty–two. If he doesn’t marry Jade, where will we find another girl he likes?”

“He already thanked me,” I interjected, surprising her.

“He did?” Mrs. Haxton looked confused.

William Haxton glanced at me. “We met this morning.”

Ethan seemed equally surprised. “You did?”

I explained the encounter from earlier that day. I had been walking around the villa, stretching my stiff legs, when I encountered William coming in from the cold.

We had stared at each other for a moment before he had broken the silence with a simple, “You’re awake.”

“Yes,” I had replied.

The conversation had been brief and awkward. He’d asked when I’d woken up, and I’d told him I’d just regained consciousness. I’d asked if

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11:41 Wed, Oct 8

Chapter 375

he was looking for Ethan, and when he hadn’t confirmed or denied it, I’d suggested he come back later since Ethan was still asleep.

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He’d mentioned wanting to check on my condition, and I’d assured him I was fine. As he was leaving, he’d stopped and formally thanked me for saving his life.

Ethan looked at me with a hint of disappointment. “So my father saw you before I did.”

“He’s your father, not some other man,” I pointed out.

William stood up. “Let’s cat.”

We followed Ethan’s parents to the dining room,

where an impressive spread awaited us.

“You mentioned wanting seafood,” Mrs. Haxton explained, personally serving me. “I wasn’t sure what kind you preferred, so we prepared lobster, scallops, various fish, and specialties from both the Pacific and Atlantic.”

She encouraged me to try everything. “Let me know what you like best, and next time I’ll prepare it especially for you.”

I’d merely mentioned wanting seafood, and a third of the table was covered with it, prepared in American, French, and Italian styles. Mrs. Haxton had even worn the crystal earrings I’d given her.

“Eat more,” she urged, piling food on my plate. “You’ve lost so much weight. We need to build you back up.”

Ethan intervened. “Mother, eat your own food. I’ll serve her.”

The atmosphere was warm and convivial.

“When would be convenient for us to visit your parents?” William Haxton asked.

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