Chapter 69 Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Ariana arrived earlier than expected.
Celine was sitting upright on the hospital bed, carefully adjusting the strap of her bag when the door opened.
“You’re already dressed,” Ariana said, pausing at the doorway.
Celine looked up and gave a small smile. “I didn’t want to delay anyone.”
Ariana stepped inside fully, closing the door behind her. She had two bags with her—one slung over her shoulder, the other hanging from her hand.
“I packed everything,” Ariana said. “Your clothes, your shoes, your documents. I even checked the drawers twice.”
Celine nodded slowly. “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”
Ariana set the bags down and studied her face. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m okay,” Celine replied honestly. “Still sore, but better than yesterday.”
A nurse came in shortly after, carrying a clipboard. She went through the discharge process calmly, reminding Celine about her medication, the dressing on her arm, and the follow-up appointment.
“You’ll need rest,” the nurse said gently. “No rushing, no stress.”
“I understand,” Celine replied politely.
When the nurse left, Ariana helped Celine lift the bag properly onto her shoulder.
“You sure you’re strong enough?” Ariana asked.
“I’ll manage,” Celine said softly. “I don’t want to be carried out like glass.”
Ariana smiled faintly. “You’re stubborn.”
“Only when I need to be.”
They walked out of the room together. The hallway felt busy, but not overwhelming. Nurses moved past them, doctors spoke quietly, and a few people glanced at Celine before looking away again.
At the entrance, the receptionist noticed her and smiled. “I’m glad you’re leaving today.”
“Thank you,” Celine replied. “For everything.”
Outside, the weather was calm. Not too hot. Not too cold.
Ariana pulled out her phone. “Let me order a cab.”
They stood near the curb, a few steps away from the hospital doors. Celine held her bag with both hands, standing carefully.
“You can sit if you want,” Ariana offered.
“I’m alright,” Celine said. “I don’t mind standing.”
Ariana watched her closely. “You don’t need to prove anything.”
“I know,” Celine said quietly. “I just want to feel normal again.”
They waited.
Cars passed. People came and went.
Then the sound changed.
Multiple engines.
Smooth. Controlled.
A convoy approached from the left.
Black cars. Polished. Moving with quiet authority.
Ariana turned her head first. Her brows pulled together slightly. “That looks like—”
She stopped herself.
Celine was looking ahead, distracted by a couple arguing across the street.
The convoy slowed as it passed them.
Inside one of the cars, behind tinted glass, Ethan sat still.
His arm was still wrapped. His movements restricted. His expression unreadable.
He hadn’t expected to see her standing there.
Not dressed.
Not leaving.
Not alive in such a quiet, ordinary way.
His eyes locked onto her immediately.
She looked smaller than he remembered.
Paler.
But steady.
The car slowed more than necessary.
The driver glanced at him through the mirror. “Sir?”
Ethan didn’t answer.
He wanted to say stop.
He wanted to open the door.
He wanted to step out, ignore the staff, ignore the rules, ignore everything.
But the car was full.
Drivers. Workers. People who watched him closely.
People who would talk.
He stayed silent.
The convoy moved again.
As the cars passed, Celine turned slightly.
She didn’t recognize the vehicle.
Didn’t see him.
Didn’t know he was there.
Behind the dark glass, Ethan kept watching until they were no longer beside her.
Ariana noticed the moment the convoy disappeared.
She looked at Celine, searching her face. “Did you see that?”
Celine shook her head. “See what?”
Ariana hesitated, then shook her own head. “Nothing.”
The cab arrived moments later.
Ariana opened the door and helped Celine in carefully.
“Home,” Ariana said as she climbed in beside her.
Celine nodded.
As the car pulled away, Celine glanced back at the hospital building.
She didn’t know why her thoughts felt unsettled.
She rested her head against the seat, closing her eyes briefly.
Somewhere else on the road, Ethan leaned back against the leather seat, his jaw tightening.
He hadn’t stopped.
But that didn’t mean he hadn’t seen her.
And somehow, knowing she had walked away without ever noticing him made it harder than stopping ever could have.
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The Castellan convoy moved smoothly through the city.
Maria Castellan sat in the first car, speaking quietly with one of the staff over the phone.
Ethan sat in the car behind her.
His mind wasn’t there.
“Sir, your mother asked that we head straight to the villa,” the driver said carefully.
Ethan’s eyes stayed fixed ahead. “Divert.”
The driver hesitated. “Sir?”
“My penthouse,” Ethan said. “Now.”
A pause.
Then the car changed direction.
No arguments.
No questions.
The penthouse greeted him with silence.
Staff moved quickly, unpacking his things. The maids spoke softly.
Ethan dismissed them all within minutes.
“I’ll be fine,” he said. “Leave.”
When the door closed, he stood alone.
The city stretched beyond the glass windows.
He loosened his jacket and sat down slowly.
His phone buzzed.
A message from Maria.
You were supposed to come home.
He didn’t reply.
He leaned back, staring at nothing.
Meanwhile, Ariana and Celine arrived home.
Ariana unlocked the door and stepped aside. “After you.”
Celine entered slowly.
The apartment felt familiar. Safe.
She set her bag down and exhaled.
“I missed this place,”
she said quietly.
Ariana smiled. “I figured.”
Celine walked to the couch and sat carefully.
Ariana brought her water and medication.
“Don’t argue,” Ariana said.
“Take it.”
Celine obeyed without complaint.
They sat quietly for a moment.
“You scared me,” Ariana said finally.
“I know,” Celine replied. “I’m sorry.”
Ariana watched her closely. “He could have died.”
Celine lowered her gaze. “I know.”
They didn’t say his name.
They didn’t need to.
Later that night, Celine stood by the window, looking out at the city.
Somewhere out there, life was moving forward.
Somewhere out there, someone was thinking of her.
She didn’t know it.
But he was.