Sweet Vengeances
Chapter 80: A Leap of Faith

Chapter 80: Chapter 80: A Leap of Faith

The only sound in the hospital room was the steady beep of the heart monitor. Lily should have felt safer and more comforted by Ethan’s chest’s regular rise and fall. However, she became aware that she would never feel secure again as she sat in the hard plastic chair next to his bed, her fingers gripped firmly together.

Carlisle was no longer there. Detained. Taken away in handcuffs following what seemed like an unending conflict. Lily was aware that this did not imply her freedom, though.

The shadows of men like Carlisle were long.

He had the power to affect her even from a jail cell.

As she considered all the past adversaries they had encountered, a chill went through her. The conflict continued after a king was overthrown. All it signified was that a new one was about to start.

She let out a deep sigh, pushing herself to concentrate on the here and now.

Hours have passed while Ethan was unconscious. She had been reassured by the physicians that he was stable and would get better, but the bruises on his face and the bandages covering his chest gave a different impression. Tonight, he had almost been killed.

Due to her.

Lily closed her eyes tightly and willed the guilt to go.

She had no regrets about defending herself. She had no qualms about ensuring Carlisle couldn’t harm anybody else. She did regret the expense, though. the blood. The anxiety. When she believed she had lost Ethan forever.

The quiet was broken by a deep moan.

Lily opened her eyes suddenly.

After twitching his fingers, Ethan’s eyes flickered and eventually opened. His blue eyes, which were normally keen, were blurry and disoriented, yet they sparked with recognition when they fell on her.

"Hi," he croaked. His voice was gruff and raspy as if he had just survived being dragged through hell.

Taking the lump in her throat, Lily swallowed. "Listen to yourself."

Attempting to sit up, he let out a frantic word as a piercing grimace of pain swept across his face. Without hesitation, Lily stood up and put a soft touch on his shoulder.

"Avoid it," she whispered. "Relax."

Ethan let out a deep breath, yet he listened while leaning back on the cushions. But he never took his eyes off her, his face inscrutable.

He said, "You stayed," after a little pause.

Lily laughed a little, but it was a serious chuckle. "Obviously, I stayed."

He twitched his fingers once more as if he wanted to grab her but wasn’t sure if he should. The answer is no.

It caught Lily’s breath.

Was she pushed away by him?

Were they being told to leave via that door after everything they had endured and survived?

A flash of anger blazed under her ribs.

For him, she had stood up. Bleed for him. To make sure he was still alive, she had put herself in danger. Did he now assume she would simply go?

Her voice was stern as she added, "I know I don’t have to." "But I would like to."

Ethan’s mouth tightened. "Lily—"

"No." Her heart was racing as she interrupted him. "Avoid doing that." Don’t pretend that you don’t care. Not after everything.

Quietness.

Like he was searching for something, Ethan’s eyes swept across hers. Proof? Assurance? She had no idea.

However, she was aware of one thing.

She had no intention of leaving.

"I’m exhausted, Ethan," she said, her tone softening. "I’m over battling. I’m sick and weary of constantly watching my back. I simply... I simply want this to end.

Ethan’s face became gloomy. "It is finished."

Lily gave a quick breath. "Is it?"

Ethan tightened his jaw as he maintained eye contact. Carlisle is no longer there. He left his kingdom in shambles. Everything is gone from which he can return.

With doubt gnawing at her, Lily chewed her lip. "What if someone else steps in to replace him?"

For a long time, Ethan remained mute. He then groaned and combed through his hair. "After that, we fight." Again and again, if necessary.

Lily laughed resentfully. "That’s not a promising future."

Ethan observed her intently. What sort of future do you desire, then?

She wasn’t expecting the inquiry.

She wanted what?

For so long, the only thing that mattered was surviving. There was nothing else she had allowed herself to think about. But today, as I sit here in this hospital room and gaze at the guy who bled and struggled next to her—

It dawned on her that she desired more.

She desired tranquility. Freedom was what she desired. One day, she hoped, she wouldn’t have to sleep with a pistol under her pillow.

However, above all—

He was everything she desired.

She strained to speak, her throat constricted. "I hope the day comes when we won’t have to run all the time. A day in the future when I won’t have to worry about if something will happen to us tomorrow.

Ethan’s face became more placid. "We create that future after that."

Lily was hesitant. "How?"

Even though his flesh was covered in bruises, Ethan sought her hand and held it firmly. "Companions."

Her throat grew a lump.

Can it really be that easy?

Could they simply decide to start over?

She had spent so much time thinking she was stuck, that the ghosts of her past would always find her, no matter what she did.

But perhaps, just possibly, Ethan was correct.

This could have been their opportunity to escape.

With a shaky breath, Lily nodded slightly. "All right."

Ethan gave a sly smile. "All right?"

She rolled her eyes, but she was unable to stop the smile from pulling at her mouth. "All right, all right.

Ethan’s fingers closed on hers. "Well done."

Lily experienced something for the first time in a long time that she hadn’t dared to feel in years.

Hope.

Perhaps they had not yet left the woods.

Perhaps the path ahead would remain hazardous and unpredictable.

However, they weren’t walking it alone for once.

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