Chapter 235

Chapter 235

In the hospital room, Yanny's gaze fell directly on the figure in the bed. Seeing Ethan's pale face, her heart ached.

She still hadn't made a decision about what Jack had said.

"Yanny, time to eat."

Sitting in her chair, Yanny didn't hear him. She stared blankly out the window at the falling leaves, remembering those years she'd spent in Novaria for treatment.

Back then, she'd loved watching the leaves fall, feeling like she was one of them—a withered leaf with nowhere to belong.

Her life had been in her own hands then, and she'd chosen without hesitation to join the experimental trial. But now? Was Ethan's life in her hands too?

"Yanny?"

When she didn't respond, William called her name again.

Yanny snapped back to reality. She waved away the steaming food in front of her.

"I'm not hungry. You eat."

William understood what was weighing on her. He sighed and sat down beside her.

"Yanny, if you really don't trust this doctor, we can find someone else. There are so many renowned specialists in the world. If this one doesn't work out, we'll try another."

Before he'd even finished speaking, Michael walked through the door.

"That's not possible."

Setting a fruit basket on the nightstand, Michael spoke bluntly.

"You both know Dr. Wilson's reputation. You've seen what he's capable of. If he can't do it, no one else will be able to either."

Michael wasn't wrong, but William bristled at his words.

"Sure, he's famous, but the risk is enormous right now. We can consult with other doctors. There's no reason to wait on just one physician's treatment."

Michael smiled faintly.

"Dr. Windsor, you should understand the situation better than I do. How much more can Ethan endure in his current state? Can he even hold on long enough for you to find someone who can truly cure him?"

The atmosphere turned deathly silent. Yanny stood up, her expression darkening.

"Enough. There's nothing to argue about."

She turned and walked out, scrolling through her contacts until she found Cleo's number and called.

"Yanny, what's got you calling at this hour?"

Given the time difference, it was late evening back home. Yanny had no other choice.

"Grandma, did I wake you?"

Cleo chuckled softly.

"If I'd been asleep, I wouldn't have answered. How are things? I haven't dared call these past few days, didn't want to interrupt."

Yanny's eyes stung with tears. She wanted to tell Cleo what was happening, but the words wouldn't come.

"Everything's fine."

Cleo let out a relieved breath.

"Did you find the doctor?"

Yanny felt suffocated.

"We did."

The silence stretched between them. Just as Yanny was about to say something to keep Cleo from noticing anything wrong, the older woman spoke gently.

"Yanny, are you facing some kind of difficulty?"

Yanny couldn't hold back anymore. Tears fell like broken pearls onto her hands. She sniffled. Ethan couldn't wait any longer.

"Grandma, Dr. Wilson says Ethan's condition is very serious. He's not confident he can treat him successfully. The only option is for Ethan to join his experimental trial."

Yanny's voice broke as her emotions finally spilled over.

"But even if Ethan joins the trial, there's no guarantee he'll make it through."

Silence filled both ends of the line. All Yanny could hear was her own quiet sobbing.

She knew Cleo didn't know what to do either.

But Bianca immediately stood up.

"Absolutely not. Ethan's condition is too complicated, the odds are too slim. We can't gamble with this. We'll bring him back to Celestria. The Smith Family can take care of him for the rest of his life."

In that moment, Bianca had stopped hoping for anything more. Even if Ethan became a vegetative patient, she wanted to see her son. She couldn't bear the thought of losing him.

"Yanny, don't do the trial. I'm coming to bring you both home. It's too dangerous abroad."

She was about to order someone to book plane tickets when Cleo stopped her, patting her hand soothingly. Tears streamed down Bianca's face.

"Mom, I can't stay calm about this anymore. I can't watch my son die in a foreign country."

Just the thought of it made Bianca struggle to breathe.

Cleo looked at her gently.

"Who said Ethan is going to die? Haven't you always taught him that you can't give up before you've even tried? Have you forgotten?"

But this was different. This was Ethan's life at stake.

Cleo turned toward the phone.

"Yanny, what do you think? You've been with Ethan all this time. If it were him making this decision, would he agree to the trial?"

Ethan was too proud to willingly spend the rest of his life as an invalid, without even conscious awareness. If he knew, it would devastate him.

"Grandma, Ethan wouldn't want to lie in a bed for the rest of his life."

Cleo nodded.

"Good. Since you already know the answer, then do it. I'm putting you in complete charge of this decision. But don't let it burden you. Just move forward boldly."

A glint of determination appeared in Yanny's eyes. No matter what, she would save Ethan's life.

After hanging up, Bianca anxiously stood and paced back and forth.

"Mom, even if we're going through with treatment, I should be there with Ethan."

Cleo pressed her back down.

"Right now, the Smith Group is being eyed by people with ulterior motives. If you leave now, are you leaving me to fight them alone?"

Bianca bit down hard.

"But what if Ethan really doesn't come back? I won't even get to see him one last time."

Cleo looked at the family photo on the coffee table—her favorite one.

"You have to trust Yanny. And trust your son. He just got his memory back and saw how much Yanny cares for him. How could he bear to leave us now?"

The words seemed meant to comfort everyone, including herself. Cleo's clouded eyes reddened, but when she looked at Bianca, her gaze was firm.

"No matter what, your most important job right now is to protect the company. Otherwise, when Ethan comes back and sees his mother couldn't even handle what he could, you'll never hear the end of it."

Meanwhile, Yanny walked back into the hospital room just as Jack came by for rounds. She wiped away her tears.

"We agree to the trial."

Jack nodded, seemingly unsurprised by her choice. He handed her a logbook.

"Starting today, you must follow my instructions exactly to help condition his body."

Yanny followed every step meticulously. Within days, the physical and emotional pressure left her looking utterly exhausted.