Chapter 141.Victoria stayed by his side, her hand resting over his as if her touch alone could hold him here. Ethan’s breathing was uneven, his chest rising and falling too slowly, too painfully.“Don’t close your eyes,” she whispered, her voice shaking despite her efforts to sound calm. “Stay with me, Ethan. Please.”He turned his head slightly, meeting her eyes. Even through the haze of pain, he saw the fear she was trying so hard to hide. A faint smile tugged at his lips, weak but real. “You’re stronger than me right now,” he murmured.“Don’t say that,” she said quickly, a tear slipping down before she could stop it. She wiped it away with the back of her hand, angry at herself for letting it show. “You’re going to make it through this. You have to. Not just for you, but for us.”Ethan reached for her hand, his grip unsteady but desperate. “Victoria… if I don’t…”“No.” She cut him off, her voice firm, almost fierce. She shook her head, holding his hand tightly against her chest

Chapter 143.Victoria had fallen asleep beside Ethan, having stayed by his side since morning.Slowly, Ethan’s eyes fluttered open. A groan escaped him as a sharp ache shot through his head. He noticed the oxygen mask strapped to his face and rolled his eyes, yanking it off. “I’m not that weak,” he thought bitterly.He willed his body to move, struggling to sit up. That’s when he noticed Victoria, her head resting gently on the bed, fast asleep.Careful not to wake her, he shifted slowly, easing himself upright on the bed, his movements deliberate and quiet.Ethan’s gaze softened as he looked at her. Her face, relaxed and peaceful in sleep, made his chest tighten. He could feel the weight of the fear and worry she had carried all day, and the exhaustion that came with it.A small, almost invisible smile tugged at his lips. She stayed… all this time… for me, he thought, heart swelling with quiet gratitude.He wanted to reach out, to brush a stray lock of hair from her face, but he h