Chapter 274

Ethan Sullivan was a man of action. Realizing he had confessed his feelings but still owed Susan Thompson a proper marriage proposal, he immediately called his assistant Nathan Foster.

"Prepare a proposal setup right now," he ordered in a hushed tone. "Make it the most romantic arrangement possible."

After hanging up, Ethan's lips curled into an involuntary smile. He imagined Susan's delighted expression when she woke up, his breathing turning light with anticipation.

Susan opened her eyes to find the sunset painting the window.

She thought the voices she'd heard earlier were hallucinations, until she turned and met Ethan's radiant gaze.

He had lost some weight, but his boyish face still shone with sunshine. His eyes sparkled like constellations, impossible to look away from.

Blessed with his parents' perfect genes, Ethan had always been extraordinarily handsome. Yet his youthful energy was so dazzling it often overshadowed his striking features.

"Ethan..."

Tears welled up instantly in Susan's eyes. Though barely a month had passed, it felt like lifetimes.

"Susan!" Ethan flashed his signature brilliant smile. "I'm back!"

Seeing her tears, he fumbled for tissues.

"Don't cry, my princess," he said clumsily, dabbing her cheeks. "You won't be pretty if you keep crying."

His words coaxed a teary laugh from Susan. Seizing the moment, Ethan signaled Nathan to proceed.

"Look outside, Susan!" He feigned surprise, pointing at the window.

Countless colorful balloons suddenly ascended, each bearing gilded words: "Marry Me, Susan."

Next, several hot air balloons rose gracefully, their banners displaying the same proposal.

Though initially proud of his idea, Ethan suddenly worried it seemed cliché. He stole nervous glances at Susan's reaction.

The extravagant proposal quickly drew the entire hospital's attention.

Including Andrew Lucas, who had come to visit Nicole Capra.

At first, he smirked dismissively at the balloons. Such outdated romantic gestures had been passé for twenty years.

Until he read the name—

"Susan."

Andrew's pupils constricted. He immediately checked hospital records and found Susan Thompson's name.

Concern and fury surged simultaneously. He strode purposefully toward the upper floors.

The hospital room door stood wide open.

Andrew saw Ethan kneeling on one knee, holding a blinding bouquet of red roses.

"Susan, will you marry me?"

Andrew's knuckles whitened. He should have turned away, yet some unseen force propelled him forward.

Fresh tears streamed down Susan's face as she threw herself into Ethan's embrace.

Andrew felt his blood freeze.

She said yes?

The realization darkened his vision. Had he meant so little to her? Just a passing stranger?

Were all their tender moments and vows merely tools for her gain?

Andrew stared fixedly at the embracing couple, his chest pierced by an invisible blade.