Chapter 872 He Is Not Dead
Chapter 872 He Is Not Dead
Ethan awoke to find himself in a hospital room. As he stirred, he noticed Ashley asleep at his bedside, her head resting on the edge of his mattress.
"Darling..." he whispered softly.
His fingertips gently traced her cheek, each touch sending a pang through his heart.
"I'm sorry for worrying you again, my love."
His voice and movements were gentle, but Ashley sensed the disturbance and opened her eyes. When she saw Ethan awake, she threw her arms around him.
"You're awake! Thank God you're finally awake."
Ethan stroked her hair. "I'm fine, sweetheart. The bullet missed anything vital—I could tell."
"Even so, I was terrified," she said, lifting her head to meet his gaze with earnest eyes. "Promise me you won't do anything so dangerous again."
"I promise. From now on, I'll stay by your side every day. We won't be apart again."
He took her hand, intertwining their fingers. Their eyes locked, growing tender with affection.
"Darling..." Ethan's voice was husky as he tilted her chin upward, leaning in for a kiss.
Ashley yielded like a gentle kitten, but just before their lips met, she pulled back slightly.
Ethan looked wounded. "Don't you miss me after all this time apart?"
Ashley's cheeks flushed. "Of course I do, but..." She gave him a reproachful look, gesturing at his face. "Could you remove this mask first? Kissing this strange face feels... odd."
Ethan suddenly remembered he was still wearing the prosthetic. He chuckled. "I'll take it off right away. You must be exhausted from sleeping in that position—come rest beside me."
"No," Ashley protested. "The doctor said your wound can't get wet. I'll help you."
Ethan smiled broadly. "Alright."
He eased himself out of bed. The wound on his back caused minimal pain as long as he moved carefully. They went to the bathroom together, Ethan instinctively locking the door behind them.
Ashley brought him a stool to sit on while she helped remove his disguise.
"How does this fake face work?" she asked curiously.
"It's technology from that Mystic Ember League student."
Ashley recalled, "Lucille?"
"Exactly."
"I'm curious how you convinced him to help you."
Ethan explained, "He knew he faced execution. Before dying, he wanted to check on Mystic Ember League in Aivalia. I granted his request, and in return, he gave me this disguise."
"I see." Ashley applied the solvent carefully. "This might hurt a bit. Try to bear with it."
"I will."
She began peeling away the prosthetic slowly. Though Ethan felt like his skin was being pulled off, he remained stoically silent throughout the process.
"There," Ashley said when she finished. "I can finally see my husband's true face."
With Ethan's real features revealed, Ashley's expression softened with relief.
She brought warm water to wash his face. As she tended to him, Ethan suddenly pulled her into his embrace.
"What are you doing?" Ashley protested playfully.
"I've missed you," he murmured, burying his face in the crook of her neck.
Ashley blushed deeply.
"You're still injured," she reminded him.
"I'm fine, really," he insisted.
"You're impossible," she sighed, but didn't resist as they melted into each other's arms.
Meanwhile, outside the hospital room, the door creaked open. Seeing the room empty, several men slipped inside.
"Are you sure this is the right room?" one whispered.
"I saw him wheeled in here myself. There's no mistake."
"Her Majesty the Queen is offering five hundred thousand dollars to whoever kills him."
At the mention of such a sum, their eyes gleamed with greed.
"Where are they?"
"Probably gone for tests or something."
"Let's leave for now. When night falls and everything's quiet..." The man made a slashing gesture across his throat.
The sinister group nodded in agreement and retreated from the room, unaware that in the bathroom, the couple was lost in their passionate reunion.
"Your Majesty, Ethan's funeral is complete. Please don't grieve too deeply."
At the funeral, the guests had departed, leaving only Doris, Atticus, and Adina.
Doris gazed at the body in the glass coffin. On the surface, she appeared grief-stricken, but her eyes betrayed not sorrow but concern and impatience.
"Atticus, where has Ashley gone? I hope the reality of Ethan's death hasn't driven her to do something rash."
Remembering suddenly, Doris said, "She went to the palace. She's been gone most of the day but should return soon."
Just as she finished speaking, several luxury vehicles pulled up outside the funeral home.
Everyone turned to look. The cars bore royal insignia, clearly marking them as palace vehicles.
Atticus remarked, "The palace cars have arrived. King Garrett must be bringing Pearl back. Your Majesty, shall we go greet them?"
Doris rose to her feet.
However, only Garrett stepped out of the vehicle.
He approached Doris with a penetrating gaze. "Doris, I've come to take you back to the palace."
Doris smiled faintly, her eyes betraying deep emotion. "Very well."
"Your Majesty, if you're leaving, what about Ethan's body...?" Atticus asked.
Doris turned to him. "Atticus, thank you for all your help. Have the body cremated and buried with honor. I must return to the palace with Garrett. I'll explain everything later."
Atticus looked bewildered.
Garrett and Doris exchanged a meaningful glance, sharing a wordless understanding that needed no explanation.
They clasped hands and entered the car together.
Adina turned to Atticus, confused. "Why is the queen suddenly so detached? That's her son in the coffin."
Atticus glanced at 'Ethan's' body, then at Doris's unexpected coldness. A realization dawned on him.
He sighed. "Perhaps that's not her son after all."
Feeling increasingly frustrated, Atticus realized all his efforts had been part of some elaborate charade. The feeling of being kept in the dark bothered him deeply.
With this thought, he called Ashley.
After a moment, the call connected.
"Pearl, where are you? There's something I need to ask you—"
"She's in the shower. Whatever you need to say, you can tell me first."
Hearing that voice, Atticus's eyes widened in shock. "My God, you really are alive."