Badass in Disguise (Shadow) novel Chapter 372

Chapter 372

:

60

Snowmen dotted the campus grounds. Occasionally, conversations about the legendary student Jade Morgan–who hadn’t attended classes in so long–drifted through the cold air.

Ethan drove back from his Wall Street office to the Haxton residence with the window down, chain–smoking cigarettes as he watched the vibrant young people along the roadside. Connor, who was driving, didn’t dare comment on the smoking.

Upon arriving home, Ethan made sure to rid himself of the cigarette smell before approaching Jade’s bed. The moment he saw her, much of his negative energy seemed to dissipate.

The cold wind had aggravated what seemed to be the beginnings of a cold.

Ethan’s mood was particularly dark today. Maybe it was the miserable weather, maybe it was smoking too much, or maybe the emotions he’d been suppressing for over half a year had finally reached a breaking point. Whatever the cause, Ethan couldn’t calm himself.

Outside, the snow and wind raged. He sat by her bed for a long time, talking continuously but unable to find any peace.

As darkness fell, he finally made his request, his voice hesitant: “Can I sleep with you tonight?”

Ethan had given his master bedroom to Jade. He’d moved to the guest room next door, and had been sleeping there for as long as she had been unconscious.

“I’ll take your silence as a yes–thank you.” He even had the audacity to kiss her cheek, thanking her with genuine happiness in his voice.

“I’ll go shower first, then I’ll be back,” Ethan said, suddenly energized as he stood and headed for the bathroom.

After his shower, Ethan climbed into bed beside Jade, turned off the light, and gently pulled her into his arms. He touched his cheek to hers briefly before drawing back.

He sighed softly.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me today. I’ve been in a bad mood all day,” he said. Then he quickly added, “But I feel better now that I’m with you.”

He wasn’t sure if she could hear him, but he spoke anyway.

“My mother went to church to pray for you again the day before yesterday. Last time I hired a medium to try to contact your soul, and it terrified her.”

“Now she prays all the time and reads the Bible whenever she’s not busy, afraid I’ll find another medium. Some son I am…”

“Good thing I’m her own son, and you’re her future daughter–in–law. Otherwise, my father would definitely kick me out of the house,” Ethan said with a laugh.

“It’s getting cold, so I can’t take you out for walks every day anymore. I think I’m coming down with a cold myself.”

He kept talking, seemingly unable to stop, discussing recent events, the company, Princeton University, people they both knew, their

1/3

11:40 Wed, Oct 8

Chapter 372

60

experiences in Crimson Valley, Venezuela…

“Chase Astor came by again today. He actually tried to climb over the wall this time and was nearly caught by security as an intruder.”

“I wonder if that kid has fallen for you. He used to look at me like I was a ghost, but now he’s brave enough to trespass on Haxton property just to see you.”

Looking at Jade’s unresponsive face, Ethan felt a flash of annoyance. He playfully bit her cheek as punishment, but couldn’t bring himself to use any pressure. After a moment, he released her and planted a loud, apologetic kiss on the same spot.

Sleep finally began to claim him.

He turned off the light.

“Good night.”

The tree branches outside the balcony swayed in the wind, casting shifting shadows.

Ethan slept fitfully, plagued by nightmares.

He dreamed that Night had taken Jade away, and no matter how hard he searched, he couldn’t find her, couldn’t see her again.

He dreamed that Dusk was still alive, that Jade had been with Dusk all along, and he was merely an insignificant bystander.

He dreamed that Jade’s soul had already left her body, and he’d been caring for an empty vessel all this time.

He dreamed that Jade woke up but didn’t recognize him, treating him with cold indifference. When he tried to explain their relationship, no sound came from his mouth.

He even dreamed that Jade married someone else. He couldn’t see the groom’s face clearly, but he knew with certainty that it wasn’t him.

Finally, he dreamed of the cliff again, of Jade falling, of failing to rescue her from the sea. The explosion sounded, and Jade was blown to pieces, leaving nothing behind.

Ethan’s eyes flew open in terror as he woke from the nightmare. He felt drained, raising a hand to press against his throbbing temple. He blinked, realizing it was already morning.

Suddenly, the hand at his temple froze. His eyes widened, pupils dilating as he became fully alert. He sensed something–and quickly turned his head to look beside him.

The bed was empty.

2/3