Substitute Bride: Utterly Pampered by Her Billionaire Husband

Chapter 1532: Giving Her a Distant Glance

What is the master saying?

The trusted aide leaned closer to listen, only hearing Ethan Barnes murmur hazily, "Carlotta... Celeste..."

He was calling someone’s name, Carlotta or Celeste?

The aide was confused as well; he didn’t know whom the master was calling since Carlotta and Celeste sound the same.

At this moment, Carlotta walked in, looking at the comatose Ethan Barnes on the bed with regret and heartache, she said softly, "Let me take care of Ethan."

The aide was also afraid of this neurotic mistress, so he politely refused, "Ma’am, there are medical staff here with me, there’s no need to trouble you. It’s already late, you should go back and rest early, don’t exhaust yourself."

"I’m not tired, not at all. Rest assured, I won’t make a fuss. I just want to take good care of Ethan," Carlotta insisted.

At that moment, Ethan Barnes frowned slightly and let out another weak sound, "Carlotta... Celeste..."

Carlotta’s eyes lit up, and she quickly went to the bedside and held Ethan’s hand, "Ethan, I’m here. I knew it, you still love me, I’ll be with you forever."

Seeing this, the aide couldn’t let Carlotta leave, so he stepped aside.

However, Ethan Barnes in his coma still had eyebrows tightly furrowed, without a trace of relaxation.

...

The next morning.

Ethan Barnes slowly opened his eyes, waking up.

He stared blankly at the ceiling above for a while before gradually focusing; memories of the previous night flooded back, he had been attacked.

The pain in his abdomen quickly spread throughout his body; he felt both pained and thirsty. Struggling to sit up, he only then realized his hand was being held.

Who?

The soft voice from last night echoed suddenly in Ethan’s ears—Celeste’s here, Celeste will always be with you and never leave.

Ethan’s breath tightened as he quickly looked towards the person at the bedside.

It’s Carlotta.

Carlotta had been there taking care all night and was now asleep on the bedside.

Perhaps detecting movement, she quickly awoke, "Ethan, you’re awake, that’s great. Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere? Last night you scared me to death, if anything happens to you, I don’t want to live either."

Carlotta forcefully hugged Ethan, crying out her sentiments.

Ethan slowly lowered his handsome gaze, covering the darkness and disappointment within, he reached out to pat Carlotta’s back gently, comforting, "Don’t cry, I won’t die. I promised to take care of you for a lifetime, and I will fulfill it."

He had a lifetime promise to her; she was a responsibility he couldn’t evade.

Just then, medical staff came in to begin a physical examination for Ethan.

Due to his injuries, Ethan spent the past few days recuperating at home, coinciding with the upcoming New Year’s Eve, giving him a chance to relax.

The happiest was Carlotta; since marrying, this was the first time Ethan put aside his work to spend time with her.

"Ethan, tomorrow’s New Year’s Eve, how about we invite Daniel Langdon over to celebrate, making it more lively?" Carlotta suggested.

Ethan recalled what Daniel said; he had plans for New Year’s Eve, an appointment with Celeste Linden.

Ethan did not voice this; instead, he nodded and said, "Sure, I’ll give him a call."

Calling out promptly connected, Daniel’s voice came through, "Hey, Ethan, not busy with work? What’s gotten into you to call me?"

Recently, Ethan had been a workaholic; everyone knew he was busy with work.

Ethan put one hand in his pants pocket and gazed into the distance, "I’ve been resting at home the past few days, got attacked a few days ago, and took some injuries."

"What?" Daniel was shocked, "Ethan, you’re injured, how serious is it? I’m coming to see you now."

"Got injured in the abdomen, but fortunately, I’m alive, you don’t need to come see me."

Daniel was worried and nagged for a while; Ethan soon said, "Daniel, tomorrow’s New Year’s Eve, come over to my house to celebrate."

"No need, I have plans with Celeste tomorrow, right now I’m shopping at the mall."

Ethan knew he had an appointment with Celeste Linden, yet he still wanted to confirm over the phone. Now, receiving this affirmation, he lowered his eyelids and hung up.

...

New Year’s Eve finally arrived, Daniel Langdon came early to Celeste Linden’s place, with both in a foreign country, they gathered to celebrate.

Celeste handed Daniel a brush, "Daniel, you write the spring couplets."

Daniel’s calligraphy was exceptional; during his university teaching days, students scrambled to attend his classes.

In front of the girl he liked, he picked up the brush and swiftly wrote a couplet: Spring breeze brings joy; fortune enters the household. Years renew; blessings overflow the doorway.

Celeste immediately applauded, unwittingly praising, "Good writing! Good couplet!"

Daniel then handed the brush to Celeste, "Celeste, how about you write the horizontal inscription?"

Celeste nodded, "Alright."

Without pretense, she picked up the brush and wrote the inscription "Happy New Year."

Daniel’s eyes were filled with stars; he had been searching for someone, and now he knew that person was right before him, it was Celeste Linden.

Daniel imagined their future together; they could plant grass, tend flowers, and discuss philosophical life topics—a life filled with poetic imagery and romance.

Celeste set down the brush and picked up the scissors, "I’ll cut some paper flowers now to paste on the glass later."

"I’ll help you."

They cut paper flowers together; Daniel chatted casually, "Celeste, have you visited your cousin and aunt recently?"

Celeste shook her head, "No."

"I called Ethan yesterday; he was attacked with a gunshot to the abdomen a few days ago and was seriously injured."

What?

Celeste’s hand trembled; then she felt a pain on her fingertip, realizing the edge of the scissors had cut a bloody line on her finger pad.

Blood flowed out.

"Celeste, how did you get hurt?" Daniel quickly took out a medical box to stop Celeste’s bleeding.

Celeste seemed absent-minded, "Is he... alright?"

"He’s fine, treated promptly, now recovering at home," Daniel said.

That’s good.

Celeste didn’t say much; Daniel bandaged her up, and they pasted paper flowers together.

Soon, firecrackers sounded outside; every household began setting them off to joyously welcome the New Year.

Celeste pasted paper flowers on the glass, her mood also lifted, revealing a long-lost smile.

Unaware, a car quietly parked outside the villa, inside it, a pair of eyes deeply gazed at her, watching for a long while.

Ethan had come.

On New Year’s Eve, he drove alone to this place, not entering but looking at her from afar.