Chapter 525 What's It Like to Be Jealous of Yourself?
"Ethan!" Ashley cried out as he collapsed. "Please, someone call an ambulance!"
"It's already been called," someone assured her. "They're on their way."
Ashley cradled Ethan in her arms, her heart aching at the sight of his ashen face.
"Ethan, what happened? You just collapsed without warning."
Mary stood nearby, watching with a cold smirk. "Get out of the way, you useless woman. Let me take His Highness to the hospital."
She tried to push Ashley aside, but found her immovable. Ashley fixed her with an icy stare. "Ina, I don't have time for this. Don't block us from getting Ethan to the hospital."
"You're just a commoner. What right do you have to be at his side? Get lost!" Mary attempted to strike her.
Ashley deftly avoided the blow. She gently set Ethan down before rising to her feet, facing Mary with unwavering composure.
"Ina, this is our first meeting, yet you're filled with hostility. Is it because you harbor unrequited feelings for the prince and are jealous of me?"
"You worthless tramp! As if I'd be jealous of someone like you. Know your place and leave!"
"The only one leaving is you," Ashley replied coldly. "You've tried to strike me twice now. Did you mistake my patience for weakness?"
Mary was taken aback by the commanding presence radiating from Ashley – a presence surprisingly similar to Prince Totti's own.
"Let me teach you something – if you're going to slap someone, use the back of your hand. It hurts more." With that, Ashley delivered a sharp slap across Mary's face.
Mary clutched her cheek in disbelief. "You dare strike me?"
"I did, and I will again if you continue to provoke me," Ashley warned. "Next time will be far worse. Leave if you value your well-being."
Mary sputtered with rage, having underestimated the supposed "common girl."
The paramedics arrived during their standoff. Mary seized the opportunity to save face, hissing, "You'll regret this, Pearl."
Ashley merely gave her a cold glance in response.
As the medical team placed Ethan on a stretcher, Ashley followed them. Only at the last moment did she realize she was still wearing the store's dress. With no time to change, she quickly paid for it before joining Ethan in the ambulance.
The Hospital
After a series of tests, Ashley anxiously approached the doctor. "Doctor, why did he collapse so suddenly? Is something wrong?"
"I've reviewed his brain scans," the doctor explained. "His physical functions are intact, but our tests indicate he's suffered significant neurological trauma in the past."
"Neurological trauma? What does that mean exactly?"
"It means his collapse was likely triggered by some kind of emotional or psychological stimulus. We'll need to ask him more when he regains consciousness."
"I understand."
After speaking with the doctor, Ashley sat by Ethan's bedside, deeply concerned. "Ethan, the doctor says your nervous system was triggered by something. What or who could have caused such a reaction?"
Ethan lay pale, his lips tinged blue. Seeing him in such a fragile state broke Ashley's heart. She prepared a bowl of warm water and began gently washing his face.
In his unconscious state, Ethan was dreaming. He saw himself happy with a woman, feeling content and loved. Then the scene shifted – there were two women now, Ashley and Pearl, walking toward him. Suddenly, a lake appeared before them. "Stay back, it's dangerous!" he called out in his dream, but too late – both women fell into the water.
"No..." he murmured.
Ashley, still tending to him, perked up. "Ethan? Did you say something?"
"I'll save you both..." he muttered, his brow furrowed in distress, clearly caught in a nightmare.
"Ethan, are you having a bad dream?" Ashley wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Ashley..." he whispered.
Ashley's hand froze, her heart clenching painfully.
Ethan's arms moved restlessly until he grabbed her wrist. "Ashley, you'll be safe with me."
Ashley's breath caught. He was dreaming of his deceased wife!
A sad smile crossed Ashley's face, her heart suddenly heavy with grief.
Then Ethan's other hand reached for her remaining wrist. "Pearl... don't be afraid... I'm here..."
But Ashley, consumed by her own pain, barely registered his words.
'In his dreams, he's with his wife,' she thought. 'Perhaps she's truly the one he loves most.'
"It's alright, Ethan," she whispered, holding him close. "It's just a nightmare, don't be afraid."
Embracing him, she felt incredibly small. "I know you love your wife deeply. I won't compete with her memory. When she returns... I won't interfere with your happiness together."
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