Chapter 610 Ashley's Sleepwalking
As the first light of dawn crept through the windows, Ethan was still deep in slumber when a strange noise jolted him awake. His eyes snapped open, instantly alert.
The dim nightlight cast soft shadows across the bedroom. Instinctively, Ethan reached beside him, only to discover Ashley missing from her usual spot.
"Ashley? Is that you?" he called softly.
Another sound echoed from downstairs, resembling an intruder's footsteps. Ethan's expression darkened as he slipped out of bed, forgoing his wheelchair as he descended the stairs to investigate.
Armed with a wooden bat, he cautiously scanned his surroundings. The mysterious sounds continued, eerily distinct in the quiet morning, causing Ethan's heart to race.
Suddenly, he spotted a figure moving in the shadows!
His grip tightened instinctively around the bat.
"Who dares break into my home? You've got some nerve," Ethan growled, raising the bat to strike. However, as the figure came into view, he halted mid-swing.
"Darling? It's you!"
Ashley stood at the counter, grinding herbs in a mortar, the source of the mysterious sounds. From Ethan's angle, he hadn't initially noticed her closed eyes.
"Sweetheart, it's barely dawn and you're already working with your herbs? I nearly mistook you for an intruder. Come, sit down and rest," Ethan sighed, reaching for her hand.
As Ashley turned toward him, swaying slightly, Ethan realized something was wrong.
"Darling? What's happening? Can you hear me?"
Her eyes remained closed, and she showed no response to his voice.
"Sleepwalking?" Ethan wondered, perplexed. "She's never had episodes before. When did this start?"
Before he could contemplate further, Ashley moved past him toward the kitchen utensils and reached for a knife.
"Darling! Careful!" Ethan exclaimed, quickly removing the knife from her grasp. His heart pounded with worry—what if he hadn't been there to intervene?
Ashley continued her mechanical movements, pantomiming cutting herbs with an invisible knife. The sight was both comical and unsettling.
Rather than fear, Ethan felt profound concern for her wellbeing. Remembering that abruptly waking sleepwalkers could be harmful, he simply shadowed her movements, ensuring her safety.
After finishing her imaginary herb preparation, Ashley wandered to her study, retrieving Yaakov's medical text and appearing to read it—all with her eyes firmly shut.
Ethan couldn't help but smile tenderly at the sight, finding her somnambulant behavior endearing. After about ten minutes of "reading," Ashley slumped forward onto the desk, fast asleep.
"Ashley?" Ethan whispered.
Only her steady breathing answered him.
Gently caressing her cheek, his face filled with compassion. "My love, you've exhausted yourself creating Panacea for Atticus's father. Our trip to Colorful Clouds District tomorrow will be perfect timing—the relaxation should cure this sleepwalking."
Ethan lifted Ashley into his arms and carried her back to their bedroom, tucking her in tenderly. He planted a soft kiss on her cheek as daylight began streaming through the windows.
His phone vibrated. Not wanting to disturb Ashley, he quickly silenced it before stepping onto the balcony to return the call.
"Ian, what is it?"
"Your Highness, there's an important palace meeting requiring your attendance. A car awaits you downstairs."
"I'll be right down."
After one last loving glance at his sleeping wife, Ethan changed clothes and departed in his wheelchair.
Ian waited below, looking puzzled when Ethan arrived alone. "Your Highness, you came down by yourself? Where's Ms. White?"
While helping with the wheelchair, Ian expressed his concern.
Ethan smiled. "My wheelchair is for my chest surgery, not broken legs. This small task isn't worth disturbing Ashley's sleep."
"By the way, please inform the Discussion Group that Ashley is unwell today and taking a day off."
"Certainly, Your Highness."
They drove toward the palace together.
At nine-thirty, Ashley rolled over in bed, instinctively reaching for Ethan. Finding his side empty, she bolted upright.
"Darling?"
Glancing around the empty room, her eyes landed on the clock. "Good heavens, it's nine-thirty! I'm late for work! Why didn't Ethan wake me?"
Recently, Ashley had been exhausted from working days and preparing medicine at night. Having finally completed the Panacea, she'd hoped for relief, not oversleeping.
She hurriedly dressed and grabbed her phone, then paused to return to the nightstand. Opening the drawer, she retrieved a pill bottle, swallowed two tablets with water, and examined the container. These were Yaakov's memory restoration pills—she'd consumed a third of the bottle, yet her memories remained elusive.
With no time to dwell on this, Ashley rushed downstairs, where she encountered Ian waiting in the foyer.
"Good morning, Ms. White," he greeted her.
"Hello. I overslept—could you drive me to the palace? I'm running late."
"Ms. White, Prince Totti messaged you. He knew you were exhausted and arranged a day off for you to relax."
"Ethan messaged me?" Ashley checked her phone, discovering his text from two hours earlier. She smiled appreciatively. "That's thoughtful, but I wouldn't know what to do with a day off. Would you mind taking me to work anyway?"
Ian looked astonished. Someone who didn't know how to enjoy time off was truly dedicated to her work!
With a courteous gesture, Ian replied, "Ms. White, please."
An hour later, their luxury car pulled up at the company building. As Ashley entered, she immediately encountered a familiar face—Vivienne.
"Well, look who finally decided to grace us with her presence, just before lunch break! Does she think she owns the place?" Vivienne remarked with a raised eyebrow, her hostility unmistakable.
Though Vivienne knew Ashley was Ethan's wife, others remained unaware—giving her ample opportunity to continue her subtle torment.
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