Chapter 556 The Surgery Was Successful
"I don't know either!" Landon replied anxiously.
He had also noticed the heavy box and the doctors' grave expressions, suggesting they were preparing for a major procedure.
Ashley recalled the conversation she'd overheard between two doctors earlier, and fear gripped her heart. Could they be performing heart transplant surgery? The thought that Ethan might be facing such a serious operation alone—without even telling her—was devastating.
"Ashley, try not to overthink this," Landon reassured her. "I've looked into today's lead surgeon. He's a renowned cardiology professor in Gold Valley District with over fifteen years of surgical experience. Ethan couldn't be in better hands."
Ashley clasped her hands together in prayer. "May God protect him. I just hope the surgery goes well."
More endless waiting followed. Eventually, Landon took the children back for dinner, leaving Ashley alone outside the operating room.
Nearly six hours after it began, the light above the operating room finally went dark. Ashley rushed forward as the lead surgeon emerged.
"Doctor, how is he? Was the surgery successful?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"The procedure went very well," the surgeon replied with a reassuring smile. "After a few days of observation, he can be moved to a regular room."
Ashley exhaled deeply, nearly collapsing with relief. "Thank you, doctor. Thank you so much."
She was so overwhelmed she almost fell to her knees. The doctor quickly steadied her. "No need for such formality. The patient should regain consciousness within the next couple of days. Make sure you're rested and ready to care for him during his recovery."
"I will, I promise," Ashley said gratefully.
As they spoke, nurses wheeled Ethan out of the operating room. Ashley rushed to his side, tenderly cradling his face with trembling hands. "Ethan, thank God. The surgery was successful. When you wake up, I'll do anything you want, anything at all."
It was the first time in days she'd felt his warmth. His temperature was normal, though his breathing was weak and his lips pale. Seeing him so frail broke her heart.
"Ma'am, we need to take him back to his room now," a nurse said gently.
"Of course," Ashley stepped aside, watching as they wheeled Ethan back to the ICU.
Three days later, Ashley was looking through the glass when she saw Ethan's eyes flutter open. Overcome with joy, she tapped on the window. "Ethan! You're awake at last!"
Ethan blinked as his eyes adjusted to the light. Hearing the tapping, he turned to see Ashley's tear-streaked face. He tried to lift his hand but lacked the strength.
"Pearl... don't cry..." he whispered, though the oxygen mask muffled his words.
For a moment, they gazed at each other through the glass, their eyes conveying what words couldn't—a depth of love that had weathered the hardest of trials.
Ashley quickly pressed the call button. "Doctor! Please come quickly! He's awake!"
Several doctors rushed in while a nurse kept Ashley outside. After a thorough examination, one of the doctors approached her.
"He's stable and ready to be moved to a regular room," the doctor explained. "You'll need to monitor him carefully over the next few months. He should avoid any strenuous activity for at least six months—and yes, that includes marital relations. Try to keep his emotions steady and accommodate his needs as much as possible."
"I understand. Thank you, doctor."
Once Ethan was transferred to a regular room, Ashley sat beside him, holding his hand. Though she had countless things to say, all that came out was: "Ethan... I'm so sorry... this is all my fault."
Having nearly lost his life, Ethan now cherished his beloved wife even more. Seeing her tears broke his heart.
"Pearl, don't cry," he whispered weakly. "Why are you apologizing?"
His voice was so faint that Ashley had to lean close to hear him.
"It's because of me," she sobbed, clutching his hand. "If you hadn't risked your life to save me, you wouldn't have been injured so severely. Thank God the surgery was successful, because if anything had happened to you..."
"Don't be ridiculous," Ethan said, summoning all his strength to raise his hand to her cheek.
Feeling his trembling hand, Ashley covered it with both of hers, pressing it against her face.
"Pearl, don't blame yourself," he continued slowly. "You're my wife—we face everything together. When you were in danger, I did what any husband would do. And if it happened again tomorrow, I would make the same choice without hesitation. What kind of man would I be if I didn't protect you? Don't you agree?"
It took him nearly ten minutes to get the words out, his voice weak but his tone resolute.
Ashley cried even harder. "Ethan, you're such a fool..."
"Pearl, please stop crying," he whispered, his fingers shakily wiping away her tears. "It breaks my heart to see you like this."
Ashley took his hand and pressed it to her lips. "Ethan... promise me we'll be okay from now on. No more scares like this."
"We will be," he assured her. "We're going to live a long, happy life together."
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