Chapter 554 Ethan Enters the ICU
"Doctor, is his condition serious? Why was he sent to the ICU? What happened?" Ashley demanded, her voice trembling.
After several hours of emergency treatment, Ethan had been moved to the ICU. By then, Ashley had recovered enough to move about, though her heart raced with fear when she saw Ethan being wheeled into intensive care.
Ethan's parents and sister had rushed to the hospital as well, their faces etched with concern.
"Doctor," Garrett asked anxiously, "how serious is his condition?"
The doctor explained, "The patient suffered an injury near his heart, which caused significant blood loss. We've given him transfusions, and he's no longer in immediate danger. However, due to the proximity to his heart, we need to keep him under observation in intensive care. There's no need to worry excessively, though you cannot visit him just yet."
Everyone sighed with relief at the news, though the restriction on visitation renewed their anxiety.
Through the glass window, Ashley gazed at the unconscious man on the bed, her heart aching. With an oxygen mask covering his face and his complexion deathly pale, he looked terribly vulnerable. She wished she could stay by his side every minute to atone for what had happened.
"Ethan, I'm so sorry," she whispered, tears streaming down her face. "This is all my fault. If I hadn't been in trouble, you wouldn't have been injured."
"Ashley, no one could have predicted this would happen. Please don't blame yourself," Landon said gently.
Doris and Garrett watched Ethan with pained expressions, but when they looked at Ashley, their eyes held a hint of resentment.
"Ashley," Doris said sharply, "years ago when we thought you were dead, Ethan nearly destroyed himself with grief. Now you've returned, and he's gravely injured because of you. Are you here specifically to ruin his life?"
The words, spoken in anger and fear, cut through the air like knives.
Ashley lowered her eyes, shoulders slumping with guilt and sorrow. "I'm sorry..." she murmured.
"I don't want your apology," Doris continued. "If you truly care about Ethan's well-being, you should leave him alone!"
Ashley stared at her in shock. "You want me to leave Ethan?"
"Yes!" Doris exclaimed furiously. "Yesterday he risked his life to save you without a second thought. What if something happens to you again? Will he sacrifice his life next time? You've already hurt him indirectly! Ashley, only by leaving him will you ensure he continues to live safely!"
The blood drained from Ashley's face as the accusation hit home. She had indirectly caused Ethan's injuries. The realization filled her with overwhelming remorse and guilt.
Looking at Ethan lying there, wasn't it indeed her fault?
She stumbled, nearly collapsing, her chest so tight she could barely breathe.
Fortunately, Landon caught her in time. "Ms. Jones, please mind what you're saying," he said firmly. "Ethan and Ashley are husband and wife. They face challenges together. Ethan is a man—if he didn't protect his own wife, others would call him a coward. What kind of man would he be then?"
"Besides, how do you think Ethan will feel when he wakes up and discovers you've driven away his wife and sons?" he added.
"Are you threatening me?" Doris snapped.
"Call it what you will. As Ethan's mother, your distress is understandable, but that doesn't give you the right to hurt my sister. She's a victim in this too. How could you possibly think she'd want to harm Ethan?"
The previously silent Angela spoke up, "Mommy, I think he's right. Aunt Ashley is a victim too. You should blame whoever hurt my brother, not her."
"Angela, you're taking their side now?" Doris looked betrayed.
Angela's face crumpled with hurt—her mother had never spoken to her so harshly before.
As Doris prepared to argue further, Garrett intervened, "Enough, all of you."
He studied Ashley with an inscrutable gaze. From a parent's perspective, it was natural to want to protect one's child from harm. Doris's outburst, born of maternal concern, was understandable.
Yet Garrett knew that Ethan loved Ashley more than life itself. Forcing her away would only create a rift between them and their son.
Moreover, Ethan had mobilized the entire Gold Valley security force to rescue Ashley—an operation that had caused public panic. If Ethan hoped to succeed him as the next ruler of Gold Valley, such impulsive actions could give his opponents leverage. Ashley might become his weakness, an obstacle to his ascension.
And Garrett certainly intended to see his son take the throne.
After careful consideration, Garrett decided against Doris's confrontational approach. Instead, he said diplomatically, "Ashley, please forgive Doris. She's just worried about Ethan and spoke without thinking. Don't take it to heart."
"Your Majesty," Ashley replied, her face still pale, "none of that matters now. What's important is that I can't leave. Ethan was seriously injured rescuing me, and I need to stay and care for him."
"Just pretending to care," Doris muttered with a derisive snort, turning her attention back to Ethan in the ICU.
"Very well," Garrett nodded. "Stay and look after him. I'll speak with Doris."
"Thank you for understanding, Your Majesty."
The family turned their gaze back to the vulnerable figure on the hospital bed, their faces lined with worry.
None of them noticed the calculating depth that had entered Garrett's eyes.
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