CEO loves me with all his soul.-Chapter 73. Ethan’s way.

Ethan stepped into the sterile, bright hospital hallway, spotting Lucas by the counter, engrossed in a chart. He tapped Lucas’s shoulder, grinning when his friend turned, surprised. "Long time, no see."

Lucas glanced up, his face lighting up. "Ethan! What a surprise. Haven’t seen you around here in ages. How’s fatherhood treating you?"

"Busy, exhausting, but somehow I wouldn’t trade it for anything," Ethan replied with a laugh. "Though I think I’m beginning to appreciate sleep a lot more than I used to."

Lucas smirked. "Ah, the great equalizer: parenthood. I still can’t believe you have twins, of all people. Weren’t you the one in college who swore he’d be a ’wandering soul’ forever?"

Ethan chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, I thought so. But life had other plans. Remember how you used to joke that I’d be the last one to settle down?"

Lucas grinned. "And yet, here we are. You’re ahead of me in the family department. Guess life does work in mysterious ways."

They shared a warm moment of silence before Lucas raised a curious eyebrow. "So, what brings you here? Everything alright with Adrian and the kids?"

Ethan nodded but looked a little hesitant. "Yeah... I mean, everyone’s fine. It’s... actually something else I wanted to talk to you about."

Lucas’s smile faded slightly as he studied Ethan’s face. "Alright, what’s going on?"

Ethan scratched his head, looking a bit awkward. "It’s... kind of strange. I’ve been thinking about it since... since the last time I was in a coma. Both times, actually."

Lucas chuckled lightly. "Well, they do say comas can change a person. But you’re not saying you’re hearing voices, right?"

Ethan rolled his eyes. "Very funny. But seriously, it’s like... when I was in those comas, I felt this weird... separation. Like my body and my soul didn’t want anything to do with each other."

Lucas stared, trying to tell if Ethan was joking, but Ethan’s expression was dead serious. "You’re actually serious?"

"Dead serious," Ethan replied quietly, his gaze fixed on the floor. "It’s like there’s something rejecting me. Something... off."

Lucas rubbed the back of his neck, the humor gone. "Alright. Let’s not jump to conclusions just yet. How about I take a blood sample, just to see if there’s anything unusual?"

Ethan nodded, rolling up his sleeve as they moved to a nearby room. Lucas prepared the needle, looking thoughtful. "So... did you ever get involved in any... I don’t know, sketchy research? GMO trials, maybe?"

Ethan gave him an incredulous look. "GMO trials? No, Lucas, I’m not a science experiment."

Lucas shrugged. "Hey, I’ve seen stranger things in my line of work. Figured it’s worth asking."

As Lucas drew the blood, he asked, "Okay, so no GMOs. But any weird incidents in your past? Accidents, maybe?"

Ethan was quiet for a moment before he nodded slowly. "I... I guess there was something. When I was two, I was kidnapped. It was... a really big deal for my family. But by the time I was four, I was found and brought back."

Lucas looked at him, stunned. "Wait, you were kidnapped? And you don’t remember anything from that time?"

Ethan shook his head. "Nothing. It’s like a blank slate. My brother, Leclair, was always really protective of me afterward. But he never mentioned any details about what actually happened."

Lucas exhaled slowly, setting down the vial of blood. "Ethan, that could be something. I mean, if someone took you for two years and just returned you with no explanation... it doesn’t sound like it was random."

Ethan shrugged. "Maybe. But I turned out fine, didn’t I? No scars, no weird abilities—well, besides the coma thing."

Lucas raised an eyebrow. "You sure? Because I have to tell you, most people don’t feel their souls rejecting their bodies. That’s not exactly ’fine.’"

Ethan looked thoughtful. "I don’t know, Lucas. I always thought it was just a dream, something my mind created to cope. But... it’s weird, isn’t it?"

Lucas studied him intently. "Have you ever asked Leclair about it? Maybe he knows something that could help us make sense of this."

Ethan shook his head. "No, I haven’t. He was just a kid himself back then. And honestly, it’s not like he ever encouraged questions."

Lucas crossed his arms. "Maybe it’s time you asked him. If anyone would know what happened during those two years, it’d be him."

Ethan sighed. "You’re probably right. But it feels... strange, like I’m digging up something that should stay buried."

Lucas put a hand on his shoulder. "Ethan, if it’s affecting you now, it’s already unburied. Whatever you went through, we’ll figure it out together."

Ethan managed a small smile. "Thanks, Lucas. It’s good to know I have someone in my corner."

Lucas smiled back. "Hey, I’m your college buddy. I’ve been in your corner since we were both too broke to afford real food."

Ethan laughed, remembering. "True. Remember that time we tried to make ramen with cold water?"

Lucas groaned. "Don’t remind me. That was our low point, for sure."

They both laughed, a bit of the tension easing between them. After a beat, Lucas asked, "So, what’s Adrian think about all this?"

Ethan hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. "I... haven’t told him. He’s been through a lot already, and he’s adjusting to life with the twins. I don’t want to add to his worries."

Lucas gave him a hard look. "Ethan, he deserves to know. You don’t have to carry this alone, especially when it involves both of you."

Ethan looked down, thoughtful. "You’re right. I just... I need a little more information before I tell him."

Lucas nodded. "Fair enough. But don’t wait too long. Secrets have a way of surfacing whether we like it or not."

Ethan gave a slight smile. "You’re sounding very wise today, Doc."

Lucas rolled his eyes. "I have my moments. Don’t get used to it."

Ethan chuckled. "Don’t worry, I won’t."

--

Adrian dipped his brush into the paint, stroking the canvas with gentle precision. His thoughts drifted, unwittingly, to that first encounter with Ethan. His mind painted the memory as vividly as the colors on his palette.

"I’ll never forget that day," he whispered to himself, eyes fixed on his brushstrokes.

A quiet voice seemed to echo in his mind: "So, you’re the one watching over me." Adrian could almost hear Ethan’s voice, deep and calm. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he replied, though Ethan wasn’t there to hear him. "Yes, I thought... if I could just keep you safe, maybe I wouldn’t feel so lost."

The memories of sleepless nights beside Ethan’s hospital bed resurfaced. Adrian had been so broken then, trying to find meaning, something to hold onto. "I made you my purpose, Ethan," he murmured. "And somehow, even though you were in a coma... you became the anchor that kept me from drifting away."

His grip on the brush tightened as he continued, "You were the one who saved me, even without knowing it."

Hours passed, and as dusk turned to night, Ethan arrived home, expecting to find Adrian waiting to greet him. Instead, he noticed a strange stillness. Augustin was sitting with Seraphina on his lap, while Leclair held Aurelius, both men looking towards the closed door of Adrian’s studio, worry etched on their faces.

Ethan’s eyebrows furrowed. "Why are you both here? What happened?"

Leclair looked over, his voice soft but filled with concern. "Adrian’s been in there since morning. He hasn’t eaten anything all day... not breakfast, not lunch, and now he’s missed dinner."

Ethan’s eyes widened, his chest tightening. "You’re saying he hasn’t come out at all? Not even for a break?"

Augustin nodded, bouncing Seraphina gently. "We tried to call him out, but he didn’t respond. It’s like he’s... lost in there."

The worry on Ethan’s face deepened. "I’ll talk to him. Maybe he’ll listen to me."

He walked to the door and knocked gently. "Adrian? It’s me... It’s Ethan. Can you come out, please?"

There was no answer, only silence. Ethan’s heart sank. His mind flashed back to a painful memory—the first time he’d found Adrian in a studio like this, covered in paint, lying on the floor unconscious, barely breathing. The thought made his voice tremble as he called out again.

"Adrian, please, open the door. You’re scaring us. Are you okay?" Ethan pressed his ear to the door, but still, no response came.

Leclair exchanged a worried glance with Ethan. "Maybe we should... maybe it’s better if we go in there."

Ethan clenched his fists. "Adrian, please, if you can hear me, just... just say something."

He waited, every second feeling like an eternity. Finally, unable to take it any longer, he nodded at Leclair. "Get the spare key."

Leclair quickly retrieved it, and Ethan took a deep breath, bracing himself as he turned the key and opened the door. The scene inside was achingly familiar. Adrian was seated in front of his easel, his gaze fixed on the painting, his expression both lost and intense. The room was covered with scattered brushes and paint splashes.

Ethan stepped forward carefully. "Adrian...?"

Adrian’s head turned slowly, his eyes dull but gradually sharpening as he recognized Ethan’s presence. "Ethan..."

Ethan moved closer, worry evident in his tone. "Why didn’t you answer? We’ve been worried sick about you."

Adrian’s lips parted as if he were about to respond, but he hesitated, his gaze drifting back to the canvas. "I was... remembering... remembering when I first met you. When you were asleep, and I thought you’d never wake up."

Ethan knelt beside him, putting a hand on Adrian’s shoulder. "You don’t have to keep reliving that, Adrian. I’m here now. I’m right here."

Adrian’s voice was barely a whisper. "But it feels so real, Ethan. Every brushstroke, every moment I spent by your side, hoping you’d wake up..."

Ethan pulled him into a gentle embrace. "Adrian, that was in the past. We’re together now, and I’m never going anywhere."

Adrian closed his eyes, leaning into the warmth of Ethan’s hold. "I just... I guess sometimes I get lost in it, like I can’t let it go. It’s like I’m still afraid you’ll disappear."

Ethan gently lifted Adrian’s chin, making him meet his eyes. "I’m not going anywhere. You don’t need to go through this alone."

Augustin and Leclair peeked into the room, and Ethan waved them away, signaling that he had everything under control. They nodded and quietly retreated, leaving the couple alone.

Adrian took a deep breath, grounding himself in Ethan’s presence. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you all. I just... sometimes the past feels like it’s haunting me."

Ethan stroked Adrian’s hair, his voice soothing. "It’s okay. We all have things we carry with us, but that doesn’t mean you have to carry it alone. I’ll always be here to help you."

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