About two hours had passed since I spent that deep, lingering time with Ethan, from late evening into the early hours.

As I confirmed that he was sound asleep beside me, lying nude, I slowly rose, picking up my clothes from the floor as quietly as possible.

‘After all that effort he put in, he probably won’t wake up until tomorrow afternoon.’

Since I was in charge of waking Ethan, there was no risk of another maid coming to disturb him. And, considering that Isabel and Katarina were aware of our clandestine meetings, they wouldn’t go out of their way …