Chapter 19
The sudden turn of events caught everyone off guard. Neither the servants nor the maids reacted in time. Ethan felt a sharp pain in his lower abdomen. His eyes turned fierce as he grabbed Flora’s wrist and pushed her away.
Blood immediately sprayed out. He covered the wound with his hand, pale and gasping for breath.
“Call a doctor! And take this wretched woman out of here!”
Having said that, he lost strength and fainted.
When Ethan opened his eyes again, several days had passed. The doctor sighed in relief upon seeing him awake.
“Earl Sterling, luckily Miss Vivian didn’t put much effort that day and the wound wasn’t deep. Otherwise, it would have been nearly impossible to save you. But you still need to rest fully before you’re completely healed.”
Ethan moved and immediately felt the stabbing pain in his abdomen. He winced, clutching his side tightly.
“Has the princess returned to the castle?” he asked anxiously.
The doctor hesitated for a moment.
“I heard she would return today… but Earl Sterling, you shouldn’t be getting out of bed yet.”
Hearing that Lena had already returned, Ethan ignored the pain. Struggling to get up, he put on his clothes, pushed the doctor’s hand away, and staggered out the door toward the city gate.
Lena and Linden had been away for over a month, but their relationship was clearly different now. Before, there had seemed to be a barrier between them–they didn’t dare to get too close. Now, they returned riding side by side, chatting and laughing happily. Linden even affectionately brushed the hair behind Lena’s ear, making her blush and lightly scold him.
Ethan’s eyes reddened with jealousy as he watched them. There was a time when he and Lena had been just as close. If not for Flora’s interference, how could Linden have taken his place?
The princess returned to the castle with several horses behind, pulling carriages filled with treasures brought from abroad. People whispered nearby.
“Earl Gale is really good to our princess. I hear he bought all those gifts for her.”
“Someone once said the man least likely to become the princess’s future husband was Earl Gale. Looks like that was just a rumor! Clearly, he and the princess are the perfect match.”
“Yes, and I hear he will soon lead troops to war. Then he won’t be a count but an admiral. That rank truly suits the princess.”
As the carriage approached, the whispers grew louder, all praising Linden and Lena together. Ethan felt deeply unsettled. He stared hard at the couple riding side by side, but no one noticed him.
Only after the carriage returned to the castle did Ethan rush to the princess’s residence, where he saw them kissing.
Ethan shouted angrily, “Linden! What do you think you’re doing?”
They seemed surprised he had come, but Lena blushed, embarrassed to be seen. Linden, however, smiled lazily and held the princess tighter.
“Can’t you see? I’m with my wife. Earl Sterling, don’t just stand there. When you leave, remember to shut the door.”
Ethan’s face was flushed, whether from anger or something else, he didn’t know. He strode straight over, looking at Lena with regret in his eyes.
“Lena, I know I was wrong. I’ve divorced Flora. Please come back to me. This time, I promise we’ll grow old together. I won’t betray you again.”
Linden was furious hearing this. Ethan was already trying to steal someone else’s partner while Linden was still there. Linden hadn’t caught the deeper meaning, but Lena did. Yet she shook her head without a flicker of emotion.
Chapter 19
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“I thought I made it clear in my letter. I don’t love you anymore, and I don’t want you to come after me.”
But Ethan couldn’t accept that. Every time he saw Lena, regret surged like a tidal wave.
How many mistakes had he made that had hurt her?
His face was full of sorrow as he dropped to his knees.
“Lena, I’ve realized the truth. The one I love has always been you. It’s all because of Flora that we keep missing out. Please give me one more chance.”
Chapter 19
