Chapter 651 Ethan's Decision
Day Seventy-One…
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[ At Towerville City District Hospital… ]
Butler Li found himself in a state of panic as he hastily rushed young Ethan to the hospital. Earlier in the day, when Ethan had returned home, there was a palpable sadness in his eyes, but Butler Li had chalked it up to fatigue from a long day at school. After dropping by his father's room, the young master stayed in his room and never came out.
Growing increasingly concerned, Butler Li eventually ventured into Ethan's room and was met with the sight of the young boy crying incessantly. It was a rare occurrence; Ethan had never shed tears like this before.
His heart filled with unease, Butler Li couldn't ignore the obvious distress any longer and gently inquired about what had transpired. Ethan's response was a mere mumble, indicating he was in pain.
Without wasting another moment, Butler Li made the critical decision to rush Ethan to the nearest hospital. His primary concern was Ethan's well-being, and he acted swiftly.
Simultaneously, he reached out to inform Nathan of the situation, ensuring that Ethan's father would be aware of the urgency and gravity of the matter.
However, the moment Ethan and Butler Li arrived at the hospital, Ethan's demeanor underwent a remarkable transformation. He suddenly appeared calm and composed, as if the turmoil that had gripped him had dissipated into thin air.
The attending doctor, concerned about his condition, inquired about the cause and severity of his pain, but Ethan chose to remain tight-lipped, leaving the doctor with limited information to work with.
Nevertheless, the medical team proceeded to conduct a series of tests and admitted Ethan to a private ward for further observation and care.
Once the doctor had departed, Butler Li approached his young master, his concern evident in his voice.
"Young master, you really should confide in the doctor about what you're experiencing so they can provide you with the appropriate treatment," Butler Li implored.
Ethan, however, maintained his calm demeanor and replied, "I'm fine. Please, don't worry about me. But there's something I need to discuss with you. Can I trust you?"
Puzzled but willing to assist, Butler Li met Ethan's gaze with a questioning expression. "Of course, young master. You can trust me completely. What's on your mind?"
With a sense of urgency, the young boy discreetly reached into his pocket, retrieving four small plastic zip-lock bags, each containing a few strands of hair. He handed them to Butler Li, his eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation that had unfolded before them.
"Could you please submit these samples to the Pathology Lab for a DNA test?" Ethan's voice was hushed, his plea laden with an air of secrecy. "It's imperative that you keep this a secret from my father. I trust you with this crucial task, and I cannot divulge any further details."
Sensing the immense importance and weightiness of the request, Butler Li could do nothing but solemnly nod his head. "Very well, Young Master. I won't pry or ask any questions. Your secret is safe with me, and I will ensure your father remains unaware of this matter. You can place your trust in me without hesitation."
Ethan let out a sigh of relief, reassured by Butler Li's unwavering loyalty and discretion. Among the extensive staff that served the Sparks Family, Butler Li held a unique position in Ethan's heart as the person he trusted the most.
Moreover, Butler Li had shared a close bond with Jane, making him the ideal confidant for the young boy's mission in search of truth.
"You may leave now," Ethan urged Butler Li, gratitude evident in his eyes as he lay down on his sick bed and gently closed his eyes, attempting to regain control over his swirling emotions.
In the quiet of the hospital room, Ethan found himself reflecting deeply on the choices he had made. Keeping the DNA test a secret from Nathan weighed heavily on his mind.
A part of him harbored a nagging fear that revealing the possibility of him not being Nathan's biological son could be an overwhelming burden for his father. Ethan, in his own way, was determined to unfold the truth independently, not wanting to rely on his father's involvement.
"If I am not truly his son," Ethan whispered to himself, his voice tinged with a blend of sadness and anger, "it means that my father, Nathan, has been trapped in a wicked deception. He was tricked by this woman, and I unwittingly became a pawn in her scheme."
His small fist clenched tightly, and a surge of rage coursed through his heart. It was a raging fury not only at the woman who had caused this uncertainty but also at the cruel twist of fate that had placed Nathan in such a situation.
In the midst of his turmoil, Ethan's empathy for Nathan grew. He felt an overwhelming sense of sorrow for his father, who had unknowingly been drawn into a web of deceit. This revelation was not just a personal crisis for Ethan, it was a tragedy that implicated the man he admired, the man who served as his father for the past two years.
Ethan found himself deep in contemplation when the sudden intrusion of two figures disrupted his thoughts. The abrupt noise of the hospital door being flung open seized his attention, compelling him to turn his gaze in its direction. To his astonishment, the two individuals who had occupied his thoughts, the two most cherished people in his world, now stood before him.
A rush of emotions flooded Ethan as he laid eyes on them. His typically composed expression softened into one of warmth and relief, and his heart instantly felt at ease. Jane offered him a loving and reassuring gaze that instantly eased the turbulence in his heart. Right beside her stood Nathan, his father, a pillar of strength and support.
At that moment, as the room seemed to brighten with their presence, Ethan knew that no matter the challenges that lay ahead, he had his two most cherished people by his side. Their presence alone was a balm for his soul, providing the comfort and solace he so desperately needed.
"Mom! Dad!" Ethan called them instinctively. Those words just naturally came out of his mouth.
In a heartbeat, both Jane and Nathan rushed to his side, their faces etched with worry and love. Jane reached him first and enveloped Ethan in her warm and comforting embrace. Her voice was filled with genuine concern as she asked, "Ethan, how are you feeling? What happened? Why did you suddenly fall ill?"
Ethan's heart swelled with a mixture of emotions at the sight and touch of Jane. It was a moment of immense reassurance, the feeling of their presence dispelling the anxiety that had gripped him earlier.
As he lay in Jane's embrace, he felt the warmth of her love, and her questions only underscored the depth of their concern for his well-being.
'How I wish she was my biological mother. Not anyone else.' Ethan murmured in his mind.
Nathan, on the other hand, gently ran his fingers through his son's hair, his touch conveying both affection and relief. "You had us both deeply worried," he admitted, his voice tinged with a mixture of concern and gratitude.
Hearing the distressing news about Ethan had initially filled him with a sense of dread, but now, knowing that his son wasn't gravely ill, a wave of relief washed over him.
"Now, you must tell us what happened," Nathan asserted with a sense of determination, his fatherly concern evident.
With a reassuring smile, he decided to take the path of deception, convinced it was for the best. "I'm fine, Dad. Really," he replied, his tone attempting to downplay the seriousness of the situation.
"I just had a bit of an upset stomach. Butler Li must have overreacted." It was a difficult decision, but he believed that, for now, keeping the secret was the safest course of action.
But unknown to Ethan, Jane, and Nathan wanted to get to the bottom of this. Nathan already summoned Ethan's nanny and bodyguards to interrogate them about how Ethan suddenly got ill. The bodyguards and his nanny were now on the way to the hospital to meet Nathan.
Meanwhile, since Jane showed up together with his father, Ethan couldn't contain his happiness. His anxiety was now diverted and he just wanted to seize this moment.
Jane's unexpected arrival had lifted his spirits and filled him with happiness. In this moment, he longed to embrace the joy of their reunion, cherishing the rare opportunity to be surrounded by the love and warmth of Jane and Nathan, even in the face of the undisclosed secrets and uncertainties that loomed over them.
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