Obedience No More He's the One I Deserved novel Chapter 187

Inside the fitting room, Dawn's hands stayed cold for a while.

Ethan held them gently, trying to warm them up, and said with a smile, "Dawn, how come you only listen so carefully now, but never when I'm talking before?"

Dawn shook her head, not sure what her feelings were. It felt like she was stuck in a trap—no matter what she did, she couldn't get away from Austin and Sydney.

Back when she liked Austin, he wouldn't let her.

Now that she only wanted to live her own life, he still wouldn't let her go.

Yes, he raised her, and she owed him for that.

But how was she supposed to repay it? What would ever count as enough?

She had no answer.

Ethan sighed, looking troubled, and pulled her close. Just that small hug shared a little warmth between them, slowly spreading through her body.

"Don't feel like you owe anyone," Ethan whispered. "Austin raising you, yes. He cared for you, yes. But every relationship in this world goes both ways. He raised you, but you also gave him company."

His voice was soft, like warm water that slipped into her heart.

Dawn took a long breath and looked up at him.

She smiled and said, "I just felt down for a moment. I'm fine now."

"Are you sure?" Ethan asked.

"Yeah. I'm sure," Dawn replied.

"Good. Then let's go try on the wedding dress. If you don't like the one Mom picked out, we'll just made another one."

Tara always had good taste. There was no way she wouldn't like it.

Right then, Tara came back from her call. Dawn quickly pushed Ethan out. She thought that it might be better if he didn't see her in the wedding dress until the big day. That way, it would still be a surprise.

After she finished trying it on, Ethan left and returned to work.

Dawn went home with Tara.

"Dawn, look at the time. When should we go visit the Osbornes?" Tara pulled her outside to the garden to enjoy the sunshine. She was chatting casually, "Your uncle will be back soon, so we should get everything ready now."

Dawn paused for a moment, lowering her eyes. "Anytime works for me."

She had already finished most of her work.

Since Austin was in Northville right now, going back probably wouldn't cause any drama.

Tara had no idea about the messy past between Dawn and Austin. She was only thinking about what gifts to bring and what wedding stuff to prepare. Even though their families had once been neighbors, after so many years apart, the formalities still had to be done.

Dawn listened quietly to Tara's gentle voice and just nodded along.

That night, Hannah made a big dinner, like she always did.

Ethan hadn't come home yet, but someone else showed up instead. He walked right in, grabbed a chicken drumstick from the table, and flopped down on the couch, eating like it was his own house.

Dawn was speechless. She cursed inside, What a brat. You really want to get smacked, huh?

Did I love Ethan?

She couldn't put into words what she felt for him. To her, Ethan was like a tall tree she could always lean on. He understood every time she struggled to speak, every moment she held something back.

But was that love?

Micah noticed her expression and sneered even more.

"You're nothing but a selfish, fake woman. This marriage is no different from a scam."

Suddenly, the chicken drumstick didn't taste good anymore. He tossed it in the trash, stood up, and looked down at her sitting on the couch. "I'll warn you again. Don't try to use Ethan, or you'll deal with me."

Dawn snapped out of her daze, actually finding his words funny.

Did this kid really think he was some kind of judge?

Just then, Tara came downstairs. The moment she saw Micah, her face lit up. She spread her arms wide. "Micah, you're back! Come here, let me take a good look. Let's see if you've put on some weight."

Micah instantly switched to sweet mode. He rushed over and hugged her tight.

"Mrs. Jackson, I've lost weight. Food outside is nothing compared to your cooking."

With the boy acting all cute and spoiled, no one could resist him.

Tara's heart melted at once. She kept fussing over him, turning him around and asking a bunch of questions, clearly showing how worried she was.

Micah gave Dawn a smug look, then clung to Tara's arm. He said sweetly, "Mrs. Jackson, Andy isn't in Northville right now, so I've had to stay in hotels every day. It's so sad. How about I move in with you? Then I can spend more time with you, too."