NovelEnglishChapter 84
The cops finally escorted Chole out of the room, still screaming.
Then,and Alexander were brought into the hospital.
Alexander was wheeled into a separate ward while in my ward, Ethan stayed with me, and Ava slept outside the
room on a
bench.
| was left with Ethan, seated on the edge of my hospital bed, too
close for comfort, too far for forgiveness.
The room settled into silence.
| shifted slightly on the bed, feeling the IV tug at my arm. “You
don’t have to stay,” | said quietly. It was the first thing I'd said to
him all night. My tone was flat. Dry. Like the words belonged to
someone else.
Ethan didn’t flinch. His voice was rough from disuse. “I want to.
| mean there’s no one at home. And Ava’s sleeping.” He
shrugged, forcing a weak smile. “You need someone to look
after the small things.”
| turned my face toward him, studying his features. There was
no smugness, no pleading, no anger. Just fatigue. And maybe
regret as well.
0ooooo
But | didn’t trust regret anymore.
| stared at him for a few quiet seconds, searching for something
I couldn't name-and didn't find.
Then | closed my eyes.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
And said nothing else.
Author's POV
Ethan sat by Olivia's hospital bed, unmoving. His head rested lightly beside her arm, close enough to feel the
steady rise and fall of her breathing. Her hospital gown rustled faintly as she
shifted slightly in her sleep, but her eyes didn’t open.
Tears had dried on his cheeks more than once tonight, only to
be replaced by new ones, warmer, heavier. His forehead leaned
against her arm as if by staying close, he could delay the
inevitable. As if the passing hours wouldn't steal this moment
from him too.
This wasn’t the Ethan the world knew. Not the arrogant alpha,
nor the poised heir to the Hawthrone family. Tonight, he was
just a man who had failed. A man who'd promised to protect the
woman he loved-only to be the very reason she ended up
bruised and nearly burned alive.
He didn’t speak a word all night. There was no apology that
could patch the wreckage between them. No grand explanation
Chapter 24
that could erase the years of betrayal, of pain he’d brought into
her life. And Olivia... Olivia had already said it all in silence.
Earlier, when she told him flatly that he could leave, she didn’t
raise her voice. She didn’t cry. She didn’t even look angry.
That expressionless tone hurt more than all her past
accusations combined.
Ethan had watched her sleep, jaw clenched to stop it from
trembling. He hadn't slept. Not even for a moment. Every the blinked, a memory surfaced. Her laughing in
the rain, her brushing flour from her cheek while baking, her tugging his tie
to kiss him goodbye before work.
He had memorized her expressions over the years, but tonight
he couldn't read her anymore.
He turned his gaze to her hand, resting lightly atop the blanket.
There were faint red marks near her wrist-remnants of the
duct tape Chole had used. Rage welled up again, but there was
no one to direct it at now. Chole was in custody, and Olivia...
Olivia had already paid too much.
His fingers twitched at his side. He wanted to hold her hand,
just once. Just to feel the warmth again, just to remind himself
that she was still here.
But he didn’t.
Because he knew that this time, Olivia wouldn't hold it back.
He thought of the countless second
chances she'd given him. How any
times she had qwalawied fer Bride,
SBftBneMer voice, made the first
move. And what had he done in
return? The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
He hadn't just hurt her. He'd left her defenseless.
Ethan leaned back slowly in the chair,
exhausted and hollow. His eyes
scanned her face oe (est tinte. She
"eato VHer ere bruises
beneath her eyes, and her lips were
dry, but she looked peaceful. Too
peaceful to be disturbed by his
selfish need The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
for closure.
The sun had begun to seep in through the blinds, casting soft
gold across the bed sheets. Morning had come. The night was
over.
Ethan stood quietly, careful not to
rouse Ava, who apsgtoud ohithe
cpu Ne adjisied livia's blanket
gently, fingers The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
lingering for just a moment before pulling back.
He knew this was the last the'd be this close.
He longed to bend down and kiss her forehead. To whisper that
he was sorry. That he would carry this guilt to his grave.
But he didn’t.
He just looked at her. One last time.
And left.
The hallway outside was colder than he remembered. His
footsteps echoed down the corridor, each one heavier than the
last.
Visit our social media platform to read fascinating stories every day and connect with the community!
