Chapter 263: Chapter 261: Will You Take Responsibility for a Lifetime? (12)

Jean Grant linked her arm through his and stood up. "Come with me."

The two of them went upstairs and into her bedroom. The red ’Double Happiness’ characters from the wedding had not yet been peeled off the walls.

Jean Grant opened the closet and took something out. When Ethan Ellsworth took a closer look, he realized it was the letter he had written her for her wedding.

"After I read it that day, I cried my eyes out. Ethan, why didn’t you give this to me sooner? If you had, perhaps I wouldn’t have gone through this failed marriage."

"I don’t know. Maybe we missed too many chances. Or maybe I was afraid that if I gave it to you, you’d tear it up without a second glance."

Jean couldn’t deny he was right. ’Back then, with my state of mind, I knew I would have done exactly that.’

"It was my fault."

"Jean, I’m afraid you’ll regret this. The food delivery will be here soon. I’ll go downstairs and get it."

Jean grabbed his arm. "Ethan—"

He placed his hand on her soft, silky hair. "Let’s go downstairs and eat."

The disappointment in Jean’s eyes was palpable. Crestfallen, she could only say, "Alright." 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

The Men in Black never showed up, because Jean hadn’t actually called their captain.

After they finished eating, Ethan left.

She sat alone on the sofa, alternating between sitting up and lying down. She couldn’t understand why he wouldn’t sleep with her.

It was pitch-black outside. Ever since she’d kicked out Mrs. Marshall and Marlon Marshall, the housekeeper had also left for a vacation. She was all alone in the huge house.

That night, she lay in her room, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.

The room was pitch-black, and she was burrowed under the covers.

Someone entered her bedroom, casting a long shadow.

She wishfully assumed it was Ethan.

Feeling wonderfully content, she slept soundly and dreamed sweet dreams all night.

*

Upon meeting the girl who had volunteered to donate, Quentin Grant was filled with both gratitude and an indescribable mix of emotions.

A girl of a similar age.

She was about to pass away. Aside from giving her family more money than they could ever spend, Quentin Grant didn’t know how else he could possibly show his gratitude.

Walsh decided the surgery had to be tonight; it couldn’t be delayed any further.

In the dead of night, the operating room was as bright as day.

Walsh stood at the entrance with a few of his assistants, both men and women. He said to Quentin Grant, "Tonight will determine if it’s a success. You should prepare yourself. I can’t guarantee there won’t be complications, and I can’t promise there won’t be any aftereffects. Even so, are you sure you want to proceed?"

Quentin nodded. "Go ahead."

Walsh nodded and led his assistants inside.

Quentin stood by the door, remaining there for an hour and a half.

It was not a particularly long time, nor was it short.

But in that time, he was in absolute agony.

’Stay calm,’ he told himself, but he couldn’t control the panic rising in his chest.

At 10:20, the door finally opened.

Walsh took off his white coat and said, "The surgery was a success. The uterus has been successfully transplanted and is functioning. However, neither patient has woken up yet. This next period is critical. We’ll have to wait and see if they regain consciousness."

Quentin’s breath caught in his throat as he watched Nora Ainsworth being wheeled out, her eyes closed and her lips deathly pale.

He spent the entire night by her bedside, watching over her and desperately hoping she would wake up soon.

But by dawn, she still hadn’t woken up.

Quentin’s heart sank lower and lower.

There was nothing he could do but hold her hand, gripping it tightly and refusing to let go.

"Nora, please... wake up."

**

While Herman Hawthorne and Zoe Ellsworth were having breakfast, a maid came and said someone was at the door asking for him.

Zoe Ellsworth immediately stood up. "Honey, you stay here and finish your breakfast," she said reassuringly. "I’ll go see which admirer has come calling."

Herman nodded. "Alright."

Zoe walked outside and glanced at the maid. "In the future, if any woman comes looking for my husband, you report to me first. If we’re eating or just sitting together, just pull me aside and tell me."

The maid nodded in understanding.

Zoe walked to the main gate, but the moment she opened it, her heart sank.

The woman standing before her was, quite obviously, Bianca Rhodes.

’But I have to pretend I don’t recognize her.’

"You’re looking for my husband?"

Bianca offered a demure smile. "Yes. Is Herman available?"

"He is," Zoe replied. "It’s a little after six in the morning. What man wouldn’t be at home having breakfast with his wife? What’s this about? You can tell me."

A glint appeared in Bianca’s eyes. "I’m afraid that wouldn’t be appropriate."

"If it’s not appropriate for you to tell me, then you can just stand here and wait."

Just as she turned to leave, Bianca quickly said, "I’m Bianca Rhodes. Please just tell him that. I’m sure he’ll come out to see me right away."

Zoe let out a dry laugh. "Come out immediately to see you? And why would he do that? Just because you’re his ex-girlfriend?"

Bianca hadn’t expected her to guess so quickly.

So, she decided to stop beating around the bush. "More than that, I’m the love of his life."

Zoe snorted. "Wow, what a cliché. The ex-girlfriend returns to win back her man. A real soap opera. Too bad for you, you’ve completely miscalculated. Get the hell out of here before I get angry. And believe me, I’ll have you thrown in a pigpen and let the boars have at you!"

Bianca’s face went white. "Zoe Ellsworth, you’re so vulgar! You’re completely unladylike!"

Zoe shot back, "So I’m nothing and you’re everything? Then why did my husband marry me instead of you?"

Bianca burst out laughing. "You want me to tell you why? It’s because I turned down his proposal. That’s the only reason he ended up with you."

Zoe didn’t waste another word. She turned, walked back through the gate, and a moment later, a car drove out. The gate immediately shut behind it. Several large men got out, shoved Bianca into the vehicle, and slapped a piece of tape over her mouth.

Zoe came back out and walked over to the car to look at her. "A relationship isn’t about who came first. It’s about who’s the right fit. And you have the nerve to show up alone to challenge his wife? Well, allow me to show you some hospitality. I’ll take good care of you, so don’t you worry."

The door slammed shut, and the car sped off.

"Who was that outside?"

Zoe replied, completely unfazed, "Someone claiming to be an ex-girlfriend of yours. I had her taken care of. That’s the third one this month."

Herman wiped his mouth, stood up, and kissed her on the forehead. "Leave it to my wife to keep the ’harem’ in check. From now on, if anyone like that shows up, just get rid of them."

Zoe replied nonchalantly, "Of course. Anyone with designs on my husband has to get through me first."

He gave her an indulgent smile. "That’s right. I’m off to work. You finish your breakfast."

Zoe got up and walked him to the gate. She waved as she watched his car drive away, the smile on her face vanishing in an instant. ’If you knew that was your actual ex-girlfriend, would you still be saying the same thing to me?’

**

Chloe Marshall had just woken up and hadn’t even had a chance to wash her face when the doorbell began to ring incessantly.

She opened the door to find Liam Preston standing there.