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Too Late to Beg I Married Your Goddess Cousin

NovelMaster Completed

现实主义-Realistic

Chloe Miller’s wild photos were spreading like wildfire in our Snapchat group chats. She was on a king-sized bed covered in rose petals, wearing a skimpy playmate bunny outfit, complete with a fluffy white tail clipped to her back. In the photos, she was dripping with sweat, her legs draped carelessly over the bed in a highly suggestive pose. Anyone with half a brain could tell she had just finished a "hard battle." My friends were spamming the group chat. A few of my closest bros were blowing up my phone with back-to-back FaceTimes. "Ethan, man... is that Chloe?" The moment I saw the photos, I went straight to Chloe for an explanation. But she looked completely unfazed, even rolling her eyes. "We only had the engagement party. We haven’t even signed the marriage license yet. Don’t start acting like a controlling freak." "Sure, I agreed to marry you. But are you saying I’m not allowed to have physical needs before the wedding?" Chloe slammed the door and walked out, leaving me standing there frozen in the empty room. It was almost funny. She made it feel like I was the one who did something wrong. Before I could even process it, another friend sent me a different photo. This time, Chloe was in a tiny bikini, wrapping her arms tightly around a man on a beach. In the first photo, the guy was on top, so I couldn't see his face. But in this one, his face was crystal clear. It was Jasper Vance, her college sweetheart. The "one that got away." I looked down at the engagement ring on my ring finger. It felt like a massive slap in the face. I pulled it off and sent Chloe a text: The wedding is off. Go have fun with your boy toys. We are done. I turned off my phone, a wave of bitter pain washing over me. Chloe and I grew up together. We were childhood sweethearts. Our grandfathers, Grandpa Arthur and Grandpa Thomas, had been brothers-in-arms in the military. They had practically set up our match the moment we were born. Ever since I was a kid, my parents told me to protect Chloe and never let anyone bully her. And I did. I treated her like a princess. I thought I was finally about to marry the girl of my dreams, but the universe had just played a massive joke on me. Only now did I realize that my twenty years of devotion were nothing but a joke to her. A few minutes after I sent the text, Chloe called. Her tone was arrogant and dismissive. "What? Is Master Ethan throwing a tantrum? You think you can just call off the wedding like that? You better figure out how you're going to explain this to our families first!" Over the years, Chloe had changed boyfriends faster than I changed clothes. I had always turned a blind eye. I always excused it. I told myself she was young, that she didn't know what she wanted, and that she would settle down once we got married. I never expected that even with the wedding right around the corner, she would still have zero respect for me. I clenched my fists, fury rising in my chest. "I don't need to explain anything. As of today, the engagement is off. Don't ever contact me again." The line went silent for a few seconds. Chloe probably couldn't comprehend why I was suddenly standing up to her. "Ethan! Have you lost your mind? You never cared when I was with other guys before!" Chloe's screaming must have disturbed the man next to her. Through the speaker, I heard a condescending chuckle. "Is the rich boy jealous, babe? Just explain it to him. It was just a game of truth or dare. Why is he taking it so seriously?" "It’s not like you aren't going to marry him anyway." I let out a cold sneer. What kind of "friends" play a game of truth or dare that ends up in bed, wearing kinky outfits in wild positions? What was next? Was she going to have Jasper's baby and tell me it was just a prank? Over the phone, Jasper kept teasing, "Babe, you better explain. I think Ethan is actually mad this time." I didn't want to listen to his pathetic voice anymore. But just as I was about to hang up, I heard Chloe's cold, arrogant reply. "Why should I explain? Just watch. In a few days, he’ll be groveling at my feet, begging for my forgiveness." She was so sure I would never leave her. She turned to Jasper and said, "Didn't you say you wanted to go to Mauritius? I booked first-class tickets. As long as you stay sweet, I'll give you whatever you want."After hanging up, I went to a local convenience store and bought a six-pack of beer. I walked aimlessly down the streets, chugging one can after another. My phone kept buzzing in my pocket. I pulled it out. It was my close friends. "Ethan, you good? If you need a drink, we’re here for you." "We did some digging on that Jasper guy. He’s just a leech living off women. Bro, a loser like him isn't worth your time." I stared at the screen and slipped the phone back into my pocket without replying. A broke boy toy had easily bedded the girl I had cherished for over twenty years. How pathetic. She only took me for granted because she knew she was loved. But why did I have to suffer for it? I slammed a beer can onto the concrete. "Fucking trash!" I roared. "Did they really think I, Ethan Hayes, was a pushover?!" I screamed at the empty street, throwing the remaining cans. The beer splashed everywhere, but it was the only way to release the suffocating anger inside me. "Hey, kid! You can't throw trash on the bay bridge!" I turned around. A sanitation lady holding a broom was running toward me, cursing. I bolted. I ran as fast as I could, only stopping when I had put enough distance between us. If this were normal, a short run wouldn't have tired me out. But I was drunk, and crossing the street had me panting. I looked down at the beer can in my hand. Most of it had spilled onto my shirt. But honestly, I didn't care anymore. I took another long gulp of the warm beer. Suddenly, a shadow blocked the street light in front of me. A soft voice echoed in my ears. I looked up. Under the warm glow of the streetlight stood a woman in a stunning red silk slip dress. She was breathtakingly beautiful. I couldn't take my eyes off her. It was Luna Davis, Chloe’s cousin. She was two years younger than me. Back in college, she was the untouchable ice queen of Alpha University, wanted by every guy on campus. What was she doing here? She stared at the beer in my hand, her dark eyes glittering. "Drinking this much?" I casually tossed the empty can into a nearby trash bin. "Just bored. Picked up a drink." Luna arched an elegant eyebrow, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Right. Because the great Ethan Hayes would totally get chased down the street by a street sweeper over a couple of beers." I looked down and stayed silent. The air between us grew quiet. "It’s just a breakup. I didn't know you were such a romantic, Ethan." Luna stepped closer, standing right in front of me. She stood on her tiptoes and gently patted my shoulder, a hint of amusement in her eyes. I stared at her. The night felt hazy, and the alcohol was hitting hard. Before I could think, my hand reached out and gently gripped her slender wrist. "Luna... do you want to come home with me?" "I just got a bottle of rare whiskey. I want you to taste it." The moment the words left my mouth, regret washed over me. Between adults, certain things didn't need to be said out loud. A look, a gesture, a simple invitation was enough to communicate everything. But Luna was the legendary ice queen. Countless wealthy guys had spent millions trying to get her attention, and she had never given them the time of day. Why would she agree to a reckless invitation from me? More importantly, she was Chloe's cousin! I opened my mouth to tell her I was drunk and to forget I said anything, but to my absolute shock, she gave a soft, quiet nod. "Okay." The next morning, the bright sunlight filtering through the curtains woke me up. I looked down and found Luna sleeping soundly on my chest, her arm wrapped tightly around my waist. I rubbed my temples, memories of last night rushing back. The moment we walked through the door last night, I had pinned her against the wall, kissing her desperately. Her warm breath had tickled my ear as she gently pushed my shoulder, her eyes hazy. "Ethan, I'm Luna. Are you drunk?" At that moment, I saw a flicker of hope and vulnerability in her eyes. "I know who you are. I'm sober," I had whispered. Those three words felt like a spell. I lifted her up by her waist and carried her straight to the bedroom. I hadn't lost control like that in years. Suddenly, my phone under the pillow began to vibrate loudly. Fearing it would wake the sleeping girl in my arms, I quickly answered it. "Why did it take you so long to pick up?" Chloe’s irritated voice blasted through the speaker. Before I could say anything, she continued, "I’m at the Plaza Mall. Send someone to pick me up. Oh, and I found this gorgeous diamond necklace. Have your secretary bring your black card over." I frowned. Where did she get the nerve to ask for my money so casually? "Chloe, are you daydreaming in the middle of the day?" "Ethan, what the hell is that supposed to mean?" "I told you, the wedding is off. Whatever you do has nothing to do with me anymore. Stop calling me!" Maybe because I was angry, my voice was a bit too loud. The girl in my arms stirred uncomfortably, mumbling for me to "be quiet." Thinking of how exhausted she was from last night, a gentle smile crept onto my face. "Ethan, what was that sound?" Chloe’s voice suddenly sharpened. "None of your business," I replied coldly. My words completely set her off. She screamed into the phone, "I heard a woman's voice! Are you sleeping with someone behind my back?!"I didn't want to hear her screeching, so I hung up immediately. Looking at Luna, who was still fast asleep, I gently tucked her in, got out of bed, and walked out. By the time Luna woke up, I had already prepared brunch. The moment she opened the bedroom door, I froze. She was wearing one of my white button-down shirts. It hung loosely on her petite frame, the collar slightly open to reveal her elegant collarbones. Below the hem, her long, slender, flawless legs were completely on display. Noticing my intense gaze, she blushed slightly, tugging at the edge of the shirt. "You ripped my dress last night. I had to borrow this." I cleared my throat, and she looked down shyly. In the next second, I scooped her up in my arms. "Next time, remember to wear slippers." She laughed, wrapping her arms around my neck. "Shouldn’t a rich playboy like you say something like, 'I'll have the entire house carpeted for you'?" I placed her gently on the dining chair, leaning over with my hands on either side of her thighs. My voice was dead serious. "Do you have any plans to get married anytime soon?" Her eyes widened in surprise. She reached out, playfully pinching my chin. "What do you mean by that, Ethan?" "I want to give you a legal title. After that, you can decorate this house however you want." I stared into her eyes. In the twenty-some years of my life, I had never made a decision this fast. It felt like an invisible hand was pushing me forward, telling me she was the one. "Can I trust you?" she whispered. I knew she was worried about my history with Chloe. "You can," I said, pulling her into a tight embrace. "My heartbeat is the best proof." When we walked out of the city hall later that day, Luna took the marriage certificates from my hand. "I'm your wife now. I should keep these safe." Looking at her cute, proud expression, I smiled and nodded. "I feel like you just kidnapped me," she teased, before changing the subject. "Well, since we're legally married, Master Ethan isn't going to skip out on a wedding for me, right?" I gently stroked her hair. "Don't worry. I won't let you down. You'll have the best of everything." Over the next few weeks, I spent almost all my free time with Luna, picking out wedding dresses and looking at venues. She wanted an outdoor beach wedding. As long as it was what she wanted, I made it happen. She was incredibly invested in the wedding, handling almost every detail personally. Just as we were about to sign the final contract and pay the deposit, Chloe called me again. "Ethan, what is wrong with you? Your little tantrum has gone on long enough!" The moment she spoke, she was accusing me, her voice filled with her usual impatience. "My parents want you to come over for dinner tonight so we can finally sign the marriage license. We can't keep stalling like this." Before I could even reply, she kept talking. "I'll text you the address. Pick me up later." "This is about our marriage. I’m warning you, don’t say anything stupid tonight, or don’t blame me if the wedding gets ruined." She sounded like she was doing me a massive favor by marrying me. "Did I not make myself clear the first two times? I said the wedding is off! I have absolutely nothing to do with you, Chloe!" "Stop harassing me. I don't want my wife to get upset." Chloe went dead silent. Just as I was about to hang up, she spoke again, her voice softening slightly. "Ethan, stop playing games, okay?" "I know you love me and hate seeing me with other guys. But you know I love my freedom. I already agreed to marry you, what more do you want?" "Once we're married, my freedom belongs to you anyway. Can't you just let me have my fun before the wedding?" "Do you have to lock me down right now to be satisfied? How can you be so selfish?" Listening to her, my mind was completely blown. A woman like her only cared about her own pleasure and never gave a damn about anyone else's feelings. My twenty years of kindness had truly been wasted on a dog. I didn't waste another breath on her and hung up. As I put my phone away, Luna walked over and sat on my lap. "Was that my cousin?" Her eyes dimmed slightly. "She still doesn't know we're married, does she?" "And your aunt and uncle don't know either." Luna looked at me, her eyes suddenly turning misty and vulnerable. "Ethan... am I just your secret lover?"

Chapters (3)

第1章

第2章

After hanging up, I went to a local convenience store and bought a six-pack of beer. I walked aimlessly down the streets, chugging one can after another. My phone kept buzzing in my pocket. I pulled it out. It was my close friends. "Ethan, you good? If you need a drink, we’re here for you." "We did some digging on that Jasper guy. He’s just a leech living off women. Bro, a loser like him isn't worth your time." I stared at the screen and slipped the phone back into my pocket without replying. A broke boy toy had easily bedded the girl I had cherished for over twenty years. How pathetic. She only took me for granted because she knew she was loved. But why did I have to suffer for it? I slammed a beer can onto the concrete. "Fucking trash!" I roared. "Did they really think I, Ethan Hayes, was a pushover?!" I screamed at the empty street, throwing the remaining cans. The beer splashed everywhere, but it was the only way to release the suffocating anger inside me. "Hey, kid! You can't throw trash on the bay bridge!" I turned around. A sanitation lady holding a broom was running toward me, cursing. I bolted. I ran as fast as I could, only stopping when I had put enough distance between us. If this were normal, a short run wouldn't have tired me out. But I was drunk, and crossing the street had me panting. I looked down at the beer can in my hand. Most of it had spilled onto my shirt. But honestly, I didn't care anymore. I took another long gulp of the warm beer. Suddenly, a shadow blocked the street light in front of me. A soft voice echoed in my ears. I looked up. Under the warm glow of the streetlight stood a woman in a stunning red silk slip dress. She was breathtakingly beautiful. I couldn't take my eyes off her. It was Luna Davis, Chloe’s cousin. She was two years younger than me. Back in college, she was the untouchable ice queen of Alpha University, wanted by every guy on campus. What was she doing here? She stared at the beer in my hand, her dark eyes glittering. "Drinking this much?" I casually tossed the empty can into a nearby trash bin. "Just bored. Picked up a drink." Luna arched an elegant eyebrow, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Right. Because the great Ethan Hayes would totally get chased down the street by a street sweeper over a couple of beers." I looked down and stayed silent. The air between us grew quiet. "It’s just a breakup. I didn't know you were such a romantic, Ethan." Luna stepped closer, standing right in front of me. She stood on her tiptoes and gently patted my shoulder, a hint of amusement in her eyes. I stared at her. The night felt hazy, and the alcohol was hitting hard. Before I could think, my hand reached out and gently gripped her slender wrist. "Luna... do you want to come home with me?" "I just got a bottle of rare whiskey. I want you to taste it." The moment the words left my mouth, regret washed over me. Between adults, certain things didn't need to be said out loud. A look, a gesture, a simple invitation was enough to communicate everything. But Luna was the legendary ice queen. Countless wealthy guys had spent millions trying to get her attention, and she had never given them the time of day. Why would she agree to a reckless invitation from me? More importantly, she was Chloe's cousin! I opened my mouth to tell her I was drunk and to forget I said anything, but to my absolute shock, she gave a soft, quiet nod. "Okay." The next morning, the bright sunlight filtering through the curtains woke me up. I looked down and found Luna sleeping soundly on my chest, her arm wrapped tightly around my waist. I rubbed my temples, memories of last night rushing back. The moment we walked through the door last night, I had pinned her against the wall, kissing her desperately. Her warm breath had tickled my ear as she gently pushed my shoulder, her eyes hazy. "Ethan, I'm Luna. Are you drunk?" At that moment, I saw a flicker of hope and vulnerability in her eyes. "I know who you are. I'm sober," I had whispered. Those three words felt like a spell. I lifted her up by her waist and carried her straight to the bedroom. I hadn't lost control like that in years. Suddenly, my phone under the pillow began to vibrate loudly. Fearing it would wake the sleeping girl in my arms, I quickly answered it. "Why did it take you so long to pick up?" Chloe’s irritated voice blasted through the speaker. Before I could say anything, she continued, "I’m at the Plaza Mall. Send someone to pick me up. Oh, and I found this gorgeous diamond necklace. Have your secretary bring your black card over." I frowned. Where did she get the nerve to ask for my money so casually? "Chloe, are you daydreaming in the middle of the day?" "Ethan, what the hell is that supposed to mean?" "I told you, the wedding is off. Whatever you do has nothing to do with me anymore. Stop calling me!" Maybe because I was angry, my voice was a bit too loud. The girl in my arms stirred uncomfortably, mumbling for me to "be quiet." Thinking of how exhausted she was from last night, a gentle smile crept onto my face. "Ethan, what was that sound?" Chloe’s voice suddenly sharpened. "None of your business," I replied coldly. My words completely set her off. She screamed into the phone, "I heard a woman's voice! Are you sleeping with someone behind my back?!"

第3章

I didn't want to hear her screeching, so I hung up immediately. Looking at Luna, who was still fast asleep, I gently tucked her in, got out of bed, and walked out. By the time Luna woke up, I had already prepared brunch. The moment she opened the bedroom door, I froze. She was wearing one of my white button-down shirts. It hung loosely on her petite frame, the collar slightly open to reveal her elegant collarbones. Below the hem, her long, slender, flawless legs were completely on display. Noticing my intense gaze, she blushed slightly, tugging at the edge of the shirt. "You ripped my dress last night. I had to borrow this." I cleared my throat, and she looked down shyly. In the next second, I scooped her up in my arms. "Next time, remember to wear slippers." She laughed, wrapping her arms around my neck. "Shouldn’t a rich playboy like you say something like, 'I'll have the entire house carpeted for you'?" I placed her gently on the dining chair, leaning over with my hands on either side of her thighs. My voice was dead serious. "Do you have any plans to get married anytime soon?" Her eyes widened in surprise. She reached out, playfully pinching my chin. "What do you mean by that, Ethan?" "I want to give you a legal title. After that, you can decorate this house however you want." I stared into her eyes. In the twenty-some years of my life, I had never made a decision this fast. It felt like an invisible hand was pushing me forward, telling me she was the one. "Can I trust you?" she whispered. I knew she was worried about my history with Chloe. "You can," I said, pulling her into a tight embrace. "My heartbeat is the best proof." When we walked out of the city hall later that day, Luna took the marriage certificates from my hand. "I'm your wife now. I should keep these safe." Looking at her cute, proud expression, I smiled and nodded. "I feel like you just kidnapped me," she teased, before changing the subject. "Well, since we're legally married, Master Ethan isn't going to skip out on a wedding for me, right?" I gently stroked her hair. "Don't worry. I won't let you down. You'll have the best of everything." Over the next few weeks, I spent almost all my free time with Luna, picking out wedding dresses and looking at venues. She wanted an outdoor beach wedding. As long as it was what she wanted, I made it happen. She was incredibly invested in the wedding, handling almost every detail personally. Just as we were about to sign the final contract and pay the deposit, Chloe called me again. "Ethan, what is wrong with you? Your little tantrum has gone on long enough!" The moment she spoke, she was accusing me, her voice filled with her usual impatience. "My parents want you to come over for dinner tonight so we can finally sign the marriage license. We can't keep stalling like this." Before I could even reply, she kept talking. "I'll text you the address. Pick me up later." "This is about our marriage. I’m warning you, don’t say anything stupid tonight, or don’t blame me if the wedding gets ruined." She sounded like she was doing me a massive favor by marrying me. "Did I not make myself clear the first two times? I said the wedding is off! I have absolutely nothing to do with you, Chloe!" "Stop harassing me. I don't want my wife to get upset." Chloe went dead silent. Just as I was about to hang up, she spoke again, her voice softening slightly. "Ethan, stop playing games, okay?" "I know you love me and hate seeing me with other guys. But you know I love my freedom. I already agreed to marry you, what more do you want?" "Once we're married, my freedom belongs to you anyway. Can't you just let me have my fun before the wedding?" "Do you have to lock me down right now to be satisfied? How can you be so selfish?" Listening to her, my mind was completely blown. A woman like her only cared about her own pleasure and never gave a damn about anyone else's feelings. My twenty years of kindness had truly been wasted on a dog. I didn't waste another breath on her and hung up. As I put my phone away, Luna walked over and sat on my lap. "Was that my cousin?" Her eyes dimmed slightly. "She still doesn't know we're married, does she?" "And your aunt and uncle don't know either." Luna looked at me, her eyes suddenly turning misty and vulnerable. "Ethan... am I just your secret lover?"