Chapter 004

Ethan's heart rate was irregular, his pulse erratic. The situation was dire.

If they'd waited another six months—once the poison invaded his heart—it would truly be too late.

But now, it was okay. She could save him.

Claire breathed a sigh of relief.

……

Outside the door.

Leo and Max were practically pressed against it, unable to hear a single sound from inside.

It was so quiet. They had no idea what was happening in there or whether Claire was dead.

Max was wondering whether he should go in and collect Claire's body.

Just then, Daniel rushed over.

He was the eldest son of the Miller family, a family of medical practitioners. Though only twenty-five, his medical skills were already exceptional. He was not only Ethan's attending physician but also his close friend.

When Daniel saw the locked door, he asked anxiously, "How's Ethan?"

Max said, "Mr. Yost is inside. Fifteen minutes ago, Mrs. Yost went in too."

"Mrs. Yost?"

Daniel frowned.

He naturally knew that the Yost family, out of desperation, had resorted to the old superstition of marriage bringing good luck.

In the past two months, women had been sent in continuously.

But many were terrified of Ethan. That very night, Ethan sent them all away.

He hadn't expected there'd actually be one who wasn't afraid.

Still, Ethan's condition was so severe, and he himself despised having women near him. Under these circumstances, a woman going in could worsen Ethan's condition. She might even lose her life.

Of course, whether the woman lived or died didn't concern Daniel. He only worried about Ethan's condition.

Daniel pressed down on the door handle and pushed the door open.

Leo and Max didn't think twice. They followed right behind.

Claire heard the noise and immediately gestured to them. "Shh! He's asleep. Don't wake him."

The three men who'd rushed in froze, staring in disbelief at the scene before them.

Ethan, who was usually cold, commanding, and hated anyone getting close to him, was now lying docilely on Claire's lap, sleeping so peacefully?

Were they seeing things?

All three of them rubbed their eyes at the same time. The scene remained the same.

Claire lowered her voice. "If there's nothing urgent, go back out. Let him sleep a bit longer."

"Yes, yes, yes."

The three of them nodded repeatedly and stumbled back out.

After closing the door, the three stood outside, staring at each other.

Their minds replayed the shocking scene they'd just witnessed.

"How is this possible?" Leo looked completely baffled.

"My pure and untouchable Mr. Yost is actually sleeping in a woman's arms?" Max was equally stunned.

Daniel stood to the side, his brow furrowed tightly.

In the past, when Ethan had an episode, it lasted at least ten hours or more. The pain tormented him to the point where he wished for death. How could he possibly sleep so soundly?

……

Ethan slept for a full eight hours.

He hadn't slept this peacefully in years. When he woke, his body felt relaxed and refreshed in a way it never had before.

He turned his head and saw Claire.

She was leaning against the headboard, asleep. Her arm rested over him in a protective posture.

In that moment, Ethan felt something he couldn't quite name.

Surprise. Disbelief. And a kind of warmth.

Ethan watched her for a long while before finally looking away and trying to get up.

Claire had been sleeping restlessly. His movement startled her, and she cried out instinctively, "Ethan!"

Her hands fumbled for his.

She'd been dreaming of his tragic death in her past life, of the cold despair she felt in her final moments, of the agonizing torture of wanting to die but being unable to, of watching her own blood drain away.

That torment jolted her awake. She opened her eyes suddenly and met Ethan's deep, complicated gaze.

"Bad dream?"

Ethan asked.

Claire didn't know how to answer for a moment.

Seeing that he'd fully recovered, her face lit up with joy. She said happily, "honey, you're awake. How do you feel? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?"

Ethan's gaze was heavy as he looked at her. He shook his head slightly. "No."

"That's good."

Claire relaxed. She tried to get up from the bed, but she moved too quickly and pulled a muscle in her neck.

She let out a reflexive yelp.

"Stiff neck?"

Ethan asked, then raised his hand to gently massage her neck.

Of course Claire wouldn't refuse. She sat obediently, letting him massage her, a sweet smile on her face.

Ethan met her gaze and suddenly became aware of how overly intimate their position was. He immediately withdrew his hand.

But Claire grabbed his hand right back. "Keep going."

Her tone was playfully whiny.

Ethan paused for a moment, then finally raised his hand again to massage her.

While being massaged, Claire just watched him. Her bright, beautiful eyes curved into crescents, like two little moons.

Ethan felt uncomfortable under her gaze. After rubbing her neck twice more, he withdrew his hand and looked away. "That's enough."

As he turned his head, Claire noticed his ears had turned bright red.

She smiled quietly to herself. In her past life, she'd never noticed that Ethan was so innocent—he blushed just from being looked at by a girl.

Ethan caught her smile. "What are you smiling about?"

"I'm happy."

Being reborn, having the chance to be with him again—she was happy.

Ethan had no idea what she was thinking. His tone deepened slightly. "Go on. Send Daniel in for me."

"Okay."

Claire hopped off the bed quickly.

She needed to go back to her room and make a phone call anyway.

Before leaving, she looked back at Ethan on the bed. "Honey, do you want to get up?"

Now that Ethan was awake, it would probably be more convenient for him to use the wheelchair.

Without waiting for Ethan's answer, she lifted him straight off the bed and placed him in the wheelchair.

The move left Ethan completely stunned. His mouth twitched. She was only eighteen, right? Where did she get this kind of strength?

Claire ignored his shocked expression. Her tone was light and cheerful. "I'm heading out, honey. If you want to shower or need anything else, just call me."

With that, Claire quickly planted a kiss on Ethan's lips.