Chapter 5 A Hit on the Head

It was supposed to be a joyous day, filled with smiles and laughter, but fate had a different plan in store for her. The day took an unexpected and dramatic turn, altering the course of her life forever.

The crimson stream of blood trickled down her trembling hand, leaving a chilling trail along her arm. Charlotte's heart pounded relentlessly against her chest, the palpitations mirroring the overwhelming fear and anxiety that gripped her. Seated anxiously behind the ambulance, her eyes remained fixed on Ethan, who lay motionless in a coma, his life hanging in the balance.

The events leading up to this moment flashed through Charlotte's mind, an agonizing montage of fragmented memories.

The way the bullet had just passed through and hit him was unexpected.

As the ambulance siren pierced through the air, the urgency of the situation became painfully clear.

Time seemed to stand still as the ambulance raced through the city streets, its flashing lights illuminating the darkness of the night. Charlotte's thoughts became a chaotic swirl of questions and prayers, her trembling lips silently uttering pleas for Ethan's recovery.

Upon arriving at the hospital, Charlotte found herself caught between hope and despair, her emotions teetering on the precipice of uncertainty.

The doctors rushed to collect the stretcher and Charlotte followed.

She watched as they took him into the emergency room. She held onto the fragile thread of optimism, praying fervently for Ethan's swift return to consciousness, yearning for the familiar smile that could light up even the darkest of days.

"Oh, God. Oh God," Charlotte repeated to herself, her voice trembling with disbelief and fear. She could feel her heart pounding against her ribcage as panic gripped her soul. The weight of the situation bore down on her, threatening to crush her spirit.

A compassionate nurse, sensing Charlotte's distress, hurried over to her side. With a gentle touch, the nurse extended a comforting hand, offering solace amid chaos. "Hello, are you the guardian of the patient?" she asked, her voice filled with empathy.

Tears welled up in Charlotte's eyes as she looked into the nurse's compassionate gaze. Nodding, she mustered the strength to speak, her voice choked with emotion. "Yes... I am his wife," she managed to utter, her words laced with a mixture of sorrow and determination.

Understanding the gravity of the situation, the nurse guided Charlotte towards a quieter corner, away from the bustling emergency room. Sensing the need for both practicality and emotional support, she gently urged Charlotte, "Please come with me to sign some papers. But first, let's take a moment for you to wash up. It's important to take care of yourself too. Trust me, everything is going to be fine."

Charlotte's hands, stained with blood, clung to her chest, the reality of the situation sinking in with each passing second. Numbly, she allowed the nurse to lead her away, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. As they walked together, the nurse's reassuring presence provided a glimmer of hope amidst the overwhelming darkness.

Entering a small restroom adjacent to the emergency room, Charlotte caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her disheveled appearance mirrored the chaos that had consumed her life in an instant. With trembling hands, she washed away the physical remnants of the tragedy, symbolically cleansing herself of the trauma that threatened to engulf her.

The nurse, ever attentive, stood beside Charlotte, offering words of comfort. "You're doing great," she whispered, her voice filled with genuine care. "Take as much time as you need. Remember, you're not alone in this. We're here to support you every step of the way."

"Thanks," Charlotte said, scrubbing her hands excessively in the sink to wash away the blood.

She signed up to be a wife but it seems just being Ethan's wife entails more.

****

Charlotte sat silently by Ethan's side in the hospital room. The room was filled with the steady hum of medical equipment, as tubes connected to Ethan's nose and the monitors beeped rhythmically, tracking his vital signs. His dark hair was on his forehead and his face looked sunken.

The chaos of their contract marriage swirled in Charlotte's mind, causing her to question the choices that had brought them to this point. She couldn't help but wonder if the financial gain was worth the emotional toll they were enduring. But despite her doubts, she had signed the contract, and now she found herself bound by its terms.

In that sterile room, the weight of their situation pressed upon Charlotte. She grappled with conflicting emotions, torn between regret and a resolute determination to see this through.

But what has been done has been done.

Charlotte's gaze lingered on Ethan's face, his features relaxed in sleep.

The door of the dimly lit ward creaked open, abruptly interrupting Charlotte's deep contemplation. Her hazel eyes swiftly darted towards the entrance, where a man clad in a sleek black suit confidently strode in. He exuded an air of mystery with his long, raven-black hair cascading down his back, and his impressive height lending an aura of dominance. A discreet earpiece nestled snugly in his ear, hinting at a world of secrets and covert operations.

"Ma'am," he smoothly addressed her, his voice a velvety blend of confidence and respect.

Charlotte's perfectly sculpted eyebrow arched in confusion, the flicker of intrigue dancing in her eyes. "And who might you be?" she inquired, her tone laced with curiosity.

"Daniel, ma'am," he responded promptly, revealing his role as Mr. William's enigmatic personal assistant.

Skepticism clouded Charlotte's thoughts as she surveyed the scene before her. She glanced at Ethan, his breaths shallow and slow, his weakened form a stark contrast to the gun that had mercilessly pierced his flesh. Doubt gnawed at her mind, fueling her suspicion.

"And how, pray to tell, am I supposed to trust you?" she challenged a subtle edge to her voice.

In response to Charlotte's lingering doubt, Daniel smoothly retrieved an ID card from his pocket, holding it out for her inspection. Despite this gesture, Charlotte remained apprehensive, her skepticism refusing to waver.

"An ID card can be easily fabricated or misplaced," she stated, her voice laced with a touch of cynicism.

A low, melodious chuckle escaped Daniel's lips, carrying a hint of admiration. "Ah, indeed, sir truly did choose a formidable woman," he remarked, his eyes twinkling with amusement. With a graceful motion, he extended a bag towards her, a silent offering of fresh attire. "Here are some clothes for you to change into. Mr. Williams will be promptly transferred to the prestigious VIP Ward 2. You have nothing to fear."

A weary sigh escaped Charlotte's lips, resonating with a mixture of resignation and determination. Her gaze lingered on Ethan's weakened form one last time, her heart heavy with worry before she finally accepted the bag. The guards that had come with them to Ethan's family home were still there. So it was fine.

With a resolute stride, she departed from the ward, setting her sights on a nearby bathroom where she could shed the bloodied gown and embrace a semblance of normalcy once again.

To her astonishment, Charlotte discovered that Daniel had managed to accurately procure her underwear sizes. A mixture of surprise and amusement flickered across her face as she changed into a luxuriously soft cashmere sweater and a pair of comfortable jeans.

With practiced ease, she deftly braided her lustrous dark hair, adding an extra touch of elegance to her appearance. Satisfied with her transformation, she turned to exit the bathroom, ready to face whatever awaited her beyond its familiar walls.

However, as Charlotte prepared to go further, her keen eyes detected a fleeting glimpse down the hallway-an elusive figure stealthily observing her from the shadows. A surge of curiosity coursed through her veins, overpowering any sense of caution that might have held her back. Though instinct urged her to retreat, she couldn't resist the lure of unraveling the mystery.

"Hey, you!" she called out, her voice resounding with authority, as she stepped forward. The hallway lay eerily empty, devoid of any doctors or nurses who might offer assistance. It was just her, alone in her pursuit.

With a sense of urgency, Charlotte quickened her pace, determined to confront the enigmatic figure who had chosen to lurk in the shadows. Yet, before she could react, a sudden blow struck the back of her head, sending waves of dizziness cascading through her senses.

As the world spun around her, a faint voice penetrated her disoriented state.

"Kill her."

6- A love from the stars.

Charlotte's eyes fluttered open, her head throbbing with an intense ache that reverberated through her senses. As she slowly pushed herself up from the cold, unforgiving floor, her muscles protesting the movement, she surveyed her surroundings with a hint of bewilderment. The realization washed over her like a wave crashing upon the shore-she was still trapped within the confines of the hospital room, the chilling floor beneath her serving as a cruel reminder.

A gasp escaped Charlotte's lips, escaping into the silence of the room, as she hastily straightened her posture, desperate to distance herself from the frigid surface beneath her. Fragments of memories swirled within her mind, struggling to form a coherent narrative. The haunting words echoing in her ears-"kill her"-sent shivers down her spine, stirring a potent cocktail of fear and confusion within her.

Amidst the hushed ambiance of the hospital hallway, a passing doctor noticed Charlotte's disoriented state. Bewilderment flickered across his features as he approached her cautiously, concern etching lines upon his forehead. "Are you okay, miss?" he inquired, his voice laced with genuine worry.

Charlotte mustered a reassuring smile, a veil to conceal the disarray within her thoughts. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you," she replied, her voice imbued with an air of composure. With a graceful motion, she swept her dark tresses over her shoulder, a subtle display of confidence. "By any chance, do you happen to know the location of the VIP ward?" she inquired, her curiosity masked by a facade of nonchalance.

Following the doctor's guidance, Charlotte obediently treaded the path he pointed out, her mind still mired in the perplexing events that had unfolded mere moments ago. It all felt like a feverish haze, an otherworldly experience that sent shivers of apprehension down her spine.

As she approached the door of the hospital room, her heart skipped a beat. The sight that greeted her was both comforting and bewildering-Daniel engaged in conversation with Ethan, who appeared to have roused from his previous unconscious state. A smile illuminated Charlotte's face as she stepped closer, relief flooding her being. "I'm glad you're awake," she expressed warmly, her voice tinged with genuine concern. Sensing the need for privacy, Daniel tactfully excused himself from their presence, leaving them to their reunion.

Ethan's eyes twinkled with a mixture of amusement and curiosity as he regarded Charlotte. A playful remark danced on his lips as he observed, "You certainly took your sweet time changing your clothes."

A faint blush graced Charlotte's cheeks as she sheepishly responded, "Well, it's important to make a good impression, even under challenging circumstances."

Their lighthearted banter served as a momentary respite from the tumultuous events that had unfolded. In the midst of uncertainty, their connection offered a glimmer of solace, igniting a spark of hope within Charlotte's heart.

A flicker of uncertainty danced in Charlotte's eyes as she contemplated whether or not to divulge the unsettling incident that had unfolded in the hallway. Ethan's genuine concern for her well-being, evident in his question, prompted her to reconsider. With a reasoned thought and a gentle smile, she chose to reassure him instead.

"Everything is fine, don't worry," Charlotte responded, her voice tinged with a touch of reassurance. She took a step closer, perching herself on the stool beside him, her fingers lightly grazing his arm in a comforting gesture. "I was really worried when that happened. I thought... I thought that I was going to lose you."

In that moment, the complexities of their relationship, despite its contractual nature and the brevity of their acquaintance, simmered beneath the surface, creating an unspoken bond that neither could deny. The shared experiences and the emotions they had started to unravel together had forged a connection that defied simple explanations.

Ethan's eyes softened, mirroring the depth of his feelings. "I don't think you're going to lose me anytime soon, Char," he assured her, his voice filled with conviction. Suddenly, a thought sprang to his mind, prompting him to strain his back and reach for something on the shelf located at his left side.

"What is it?" Charlotte inquired, her curiosity piqued, as she stood up and made her way to the shelf beside Ethan's bed.

Ethan chuckled softly, the sound carrying a hint of playfulness. He gestured towards the bottom part of the drawer, directing her attention. "It's not entirely romantic," he remarked, his eyes gleaming mischievously. "There's a small box inside. It's yours?"

Raising an eyebrow, Charlotte felt a mixture of intrigue and anticipation. With a gentle motion, she opened the small box, revealing a breathtaking emerald ring nestled within its confines. A smile graced her lips as she gazed at Ethan, a wordless question lingering in her eyes. "Mine?" she asked, her voice a gentle whisper.

Ethan nodded, his expression tender. "Indeed," he confirmed, his gaze filled with warmth. "Read the words written beneath the emerald."

As Charlotte turned the ring and discovered the engraved sentence, her brows knitted together in confusion. " 'A love from the stars'... What does it mean?" she questioned, her voice tinged with curiosity and a hint of bewilderment.

Ethan's grin widened, a touch of playfulness dancing in his eyes. "You see, my father gave that ring to my mother," he began, his voice carrying a sense of fond nostalgia. "When he was going through a rough patch in his life, my mother came to him like a guiding star, bringing love and light. So, with this ring, I wanted to see if you could be someone like that-a source of genuine love and support. If you are, then perhaps our contract marriage can transcend into something real."

The weight of his words settled upon Charlotte, causing her to hiccup in surprise. Emotions welled up within her, caught between the unexpected vulnerability in Ethan's confession and the overwhelming realization that their connection was evolving beyond mere convenience. It was as if the stars themselves had conspired to bring them together, intertwining their lives in a way neither of them had anticipated.

With a mixture of excitement and trepidation, Charlotte took a moment to gather herself before responding, her voice laced with sincerity. "If that's what you're looking for, Ethan, then maybe... just maybe, our love can transcend the boundaries of this contract."