Chapter 254 Cannot Leave for Even a Second

Chapter 255 Ethan Falls Ill

When Audrey was leaving, she stopped Anna at the door with a serious look. "Those days you were missing really messed him up. He's super insecure now, and he only calms down when he sees you. That's not right."

Anna felt her heart sink. "So what should we do?"

"Take him to a psychiatrist. He needs medication. He can't fix this on his own." Audrey patted her shoulder. "You need to do it soon. The longer you wait, the harder it gets."

After Audrey left, Anna went back to the living room. Ethan was sitting on the couch watching her, his face a little tense. "What did she say to you?"

Anna sat down next to him and chose her words carefully. "She said you need to see a doctor."

Ethan frowned. "I'm not sick."

"You're not sick. You just need some help," Anna said, keeping her voice soft.

"I don't need it," Ethan said, his tone getting firm. "I'm not sick. I'm not going to the hospital."

He got really resistant as soon as the hospital came up. Anna frowned.

"But it's already affecting your life. You can't sleep at night, and you're on edge all day. If this keeps going, your body will break down."

"I'm fine."

"Ethan!"

"I said no," he snapped, his voice sharp in a way Anna had never heard before. "I'm not going to any hospital. I'm not getting treated there."

Anna froze for a second, then she understood. She had been taken from the hospital, so now hospitals triggered him too.

She didn't push him anymore.

That night, Anna put on the silk nightdress Ethan liked best and sat next to him, leaning on his shoulder.

"I want to talk to you," she said softly, tracing circles on the back of his hand.

Ethan looked down at her, his throat moving. "About what?"

"About you." Anna turned his hand over and laced their fingers together. "You know I'm not complaining about you, right? I just want you to get better. Seeing you like this hurts me too."

Ethan's lashes dropped, hiding his expression.

"I don't want to go," he said after a while, his voice low. "I'm just... scared."

"I know," Anna said, pressing her face against his arm. "So I'll go with you. I won't leave your side for a second. You'll see me the moment you open your eyes. Okay?"

Ethan didn't answer.

Anna lifted her head, kissed his jaw, and buried her face in his chest, her voice soft. "Didn't you say you'd take care of me forever? How are you going to do that if you don't get better?"

Ethan raised his hand and held the back of her head, pressing her against him. "You promise you won't leave my sight?"

"I promise."

"Not even one step."

"Okay."

Ethan stayed quiet for a long time, like he was making a hard decision. Finally he said, "Fine."

On the day of the appointment, Ethan held Anna's hand from the moment they got in the car. When they reached the building, he stared at it, his face tight like a drawn bow.

Anna got out first, walked around to his side, and held out her hand. "Come on. I'm right here."

Ethan grabbed her hand like a drowning man grabbing a log. They took the elevator up. By the time they sat outside the doctor's office, his palms were sweaty.

The appointment went smoother than Anna expected. Ethan was nervous but answered every question, never letting go of her hand. The doctor prescribed medication, suggested weekly check-ups, and therapy on the side.

When they left, it was already dark. Ethan stood at the door and took a deep breath, like he'd just finished a tough fight.

Anna linked her arm through his and looked up. "See? Not so bad."

Ethan glanced at her but didn't say anything. The corner of his mouth lifted a little.

Over the next few weeks, he slowly got better. He stopped waking up startled at night, and he could handle Anna going to work during the day, though he still texted her often.

Audrey came by once, talked with Ethan, and nodded at Anna on the way out. "He's recovering faster than I thought. He's in good shape and he's cooperating. He'll be fine soon."

Anna let out a breath of relief.

Half a month later, at his follow-up, the doctor said they could start lowering the dose. The day they left the clinic, the sun was bright. Ethan was holding her hand when he suddenly stopped walking.

"What's wrong?" Anna turned to look at him.

"Nothing," Ethan said, looking down at her, his eyes softer than before. "Just wanted to say thank you."

Anna smiled and shook her head.

Once Ethan was better, Anna started secretly planning something. She got his schedule from Jake and picked a Friday night. She also messaged Audrey to help, calling it "doing it again."

That Friday afternoon, Ethan was in a meeting when he got a call. Audrey sounded urgent. "Mr. Gray, something happened to Anna. She's at the old creative park in the south of the city. Get here fast!"

Ethan almost dropped his phone. He left the meeting halfway and rushed out, hitting his knee on the doorframe. It hurt, but he didn't slow down.

The drive should have taken twenty minutes, but it felt longer than twenty hours. His palms were sweating and his mind was blank.

He parked, pushed open the old factory door, and stepped inside. It was dark. No lights.

"Anna?" His voice echoed, shaking.

The lights came on.

White rose petals covered the floor. Two rows of small candles lined the path to the back, with string lights glowing warm yellow along the way. Anna walked out from behind a photo wall.

She wore a white dress, her belly already showing. The slight curve made the skirt sway gently. Her hair fell over her shoulders. She wasn't wearing much makeup, just a bit of lipstick. She held a small box in her hands.

Ethan stood there watching her walk toward him, his throat tight. He couldn't get any words out.

"You..." His voice came out rough. "Weren't you in trouble?"

"I lied," Anna said, stopping in front of him and looking up with a smile. "Are you mad?"

Ethan stared at her for a long time, his eyes turning red.