Chapter 462

Vanessa chewed her bottom lip nervously. "I know I screwed up. You have every reason to hate me right now. I deserve it. But Ethan, I swear, I genuinely care about you."

Her voice trembled slightly. "Everything I did—even the worst of it—was because I love you. No matter who walks away, I won’t. I’ll stay."

Ethan exhaled sharply, flicking open his lighter. The flame caught, illuminating the sharp angles of his face as he lit a cigarette.

"You just had surgery—" Vanessa reached for it, her fingers brushing his. "Ethan, please. At least wait until you’re discharged?"

The resemblance between Vanessa and Evelyn was uncanny. For a split second, Ethan’s gaze flickered, distracted by the ghost of another woman in her features.

A nurse paused by the door, frowning. "Mrs. Caldwell, you should be resting. After your—"

"I’m fine," Vanessa cut in, straightening. "My husband needs me." She turned toward the small kitchenette in the VIP suite, determination in her steps.

"Ethan, you can’t handle anything heavy right now. Let me make you some congee?"

The suite’s kitchen was compact but fully stocked. Ethan didn’t argue, just leaned back against the pillows, watching her move with detached silence.

Vanessa worked quietly, pouring every ounce of desperation into the simple meal. If she could just keep him from signing those divorce papers—

Two weeks passed in a blur of careful routines. Ethan’s recovery progressed, his strength returning day by day.

The afternoon sunlight streamed through the hospital window as Trevor leaned against the doorframe with a smirk.

"I've got good news and even better news," he announced, his voice dripping with playful secrecy. "Which one do you want first?"

Ethan exhaled a slow stream of smoke, his expression unreadable. "Not interested."

Trevor chuckled. "Ah, there’s the Ice Prince of Cresthaven I know. So cold, so untouchable. You could have any woman in this city wrapped around your finger."

Ethan flicked the cigarette into the bin without sparing him a glance. "What’s the good news?"

"The good news is your uncle’s little obsession, Isabella Morgan, is flying back tomorrow night." Trevor grinned. "The better news? The Powell family’s black sheep is back in town, and Cresthaven is about to get a whole lot more interesting."

Ethan remained impassive. "Isabella’s return might be relevant. But why should I care about the other?"

Trevor pulled his chair closer, lowering his voice. "Alexander’s been running things smoothly, but Dominic Powell? He’s unpredictable. After years in the shadows, he’s back—and he’s not here to play nice. Your uncle’s empire might take a hit."

Ethan’s fingers stilled around his lighter, his mind working through the implications.

Just then, Vanessa stepped in, balancing a tray of freshly sliced fruit.

Trevor, having said his piece, stood and stretched. "Well, duty calls."

Vanessa escorted him out before returning to Ethan’s side. She picked up an apple slice and held it out to him.

He took it, the sweetness bursting on his tongue.

"Ethan," she said softly, "if your tests come back clear tomorrow, the doctor said you can be discharged. You’ll finish recovering at home."

The afternoon sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room.

"I understand," Ethan murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you for looking after me these past few days."

Vanessa blinked in surprise, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "There's no need for thanks. It's what a wife should do."

A heavy silence settled between them before Ethan abruptly broke it. "Evelyn and I were alone together at Hawthorne Estate for quite some time. Don't you wonder what we were doing?"

Vanessa stiffened, her pulse quickening. The question felt like a trap.

Is he trying to provoke me?

Her fingers curled slightly against the fabric of her dress, but she kept her expression carefully composed.

Secret Admiration: Finding True Love After Prison (Evelyn)