CHAPTER 167: CHAPTER 167: AWAKENING

The sunlight poured down, and Florence Fuller awoke from the long and deep memory, staring at the white ceiling, thoughts gradually coming together.

She moved her hand and realized it was being held. The other person seemed to notice, and a magnified handsome face appeared before her. Luke Gardiner had a look of joy: "You’re awake."

"Florence."

The warm and familiar voice made Florence look over, meeting Ethan Harper’s gentle eyes.

Ethan pressed the call bell: "How do you feel? Are you okay?"

She closed her eyes without a word, while Luke earnestly watched her, still holding Florence’s hand.

A group of doctors entered the ward to check Florence’s current condition. She didn’t pay attention to what they were saying, lost in thought.

"Is something uncomfortable?" Luke’s voice brought her thoughts back.

"No." She now felt weak, her reply feeble.

Ethan stood on the other side: "You can eat now, but just some light liquid food. When the meal arrives, have a little, okay?"

"How long have I been asleep?"

"A day and a half," Luke said.

A day and a half, in which she revisited seven years in her dreams.

"I’d like to be alone for a while, you both can go now." Florence said and closed her eyes.

Luke opened his mouth, but in the end, didn’t say anything and prepared to leave.

Noticing that Ethan seemed reluctant to leave, he reminded, "Didn’t you hear what my wife said?"

Ethan glanced at Florence’s expressionless face and left in silence.

As Ethan closed the ward door, Luke was ahead: "She’s awake, you can leave now."

"Why should I leave?"

Luke frowned. "Don’t you get it? The person in there is my wife."

Ethan didn’t argue further, sitting on the bench by the ward door.

They had been by Florence’s side since she awakened. Luke had never taken care of anyone, let alone for so long, but he had no intention of leaving, always on guard against Ethan.

He absolutely wouldn’t allow the two to have any time alone together.

In the afternoon, people came intermittently to visit Florence.

Evelyn Shaw was preparing to debut and needed to return to SJ City that evening. Seeing Florence awake, she stayed until the moment she had to leave for the airport.

Christopher Somerset accompanied her back.

Charles Shaw and Chloe Quinn stayed behind.

Florence was weak, her face pale, unable to eat much; she just knew there were many people in her room, then she slowly fell asleep.

When she woke again, the sky was bright.

Another day.

"You’re awake." Ethan leaned down to kiss her cheek, "Are you hungry?"

The oxygen mask had been removed from her face; there was still a needle in her hand. After a day had passed, she clearly felt her body had regained some strength.

She stirred a little, and Ethan seemed to know: "Want to sit up?"

"Yeah."

Adjusting the bed head to an appropriate position, Ethan placed a pillow behind her: "How’s this?"

"It’s okay."

Setting the dining table, Ethan took out the meal from the insulated box.

"I know you don’t like porridge, but with your current health, just bear with it for now." Ethan sat beside her and gently said, "I’ll feed you."

Florence didn’t refuse.

After a few mouthfuls, there was a commotion at the door. Looking up, Luke came in with a suitcase. Seeing Florence leaning against Ethan, he frowned: "Ethan, can’t you have some decency?"

Florence’s headache was triggered by his loud voice, and she couldn’t drink the porridge at her lips. She turned her head away, somewhat irritated, looking at Luke: "Why are you coming in with a suitcase?"

"Of course, to take care of you." Luke said, somewhat awkwardly.

Florence let out a huff of laughter: "With you, I’m afraid I might have to stay half a year instead of just a month."

The eldest son of the Gardiner Family, brought up pampered and spoiled, he probably wouldn’t even know how to hold a fruit knife to care for a patient.

With Ethan still here, Florence’s disparaging remarks left Luke feeling a bit embarrassed. He said nothing, silently unpacking his suitcase.

Florence noticed his actions, frowning, realizing he was serious.

"Luke! Enough. You shouldn’t be wasting time here in Cloudsea City; you should return to SJ City."

"How is it wasting time to be here with you?" he said.

Ethan quietly packed the food from the table, watching Luke arrange his belongings, his eyes dark.

"It’s okay, I’ll stay with you." Ethan reassured her.

Luke’s barely contained anger almost erupted at his words, but looking at Florence’s pale face, he held it in.

It’s okay, they are legally married. As long as he doesn’t agree to divorce, Ethan can never take the place.

Luke comforted himself this way.

Florence didn’t have much energy to deal with it. She ate and slept, enduring the most fragile first week. Now she could get out of bed.

Laura Yates came to see her, but Florence wasn’t very eager to meet her, responding with just a few words. Laura probably noticed.

But she still came often.

"Since you can get out of bed, would you like to go for a walk?" Luke smiled at her, "The weather’s nice today."

She was already in her usual loungewear, and since it was a long hospital stay, Ethan had brought some things over from Starlight Residence.

Throughout this week, Luke stayed in the ward with Florence, whether it was because he was wary of Ethan or considered her.

Ethan came to see her in the morning but had gone out for something, which secretly pleased him.

"When exactly are you going back to SJ City?" Florence asked.

Luke held her coat in hand: "When you’re well, we can go back together."

"Luke." Florence’s expression was serious. "You know I want a divorce."

Luke’s face stiffened for a moment: "Let’s not talk about this for now."

The ward fell into silence. Florence sighed and got out of bed to put on her shoes.

Luke helped her put on her coat, and the two left the ward.

Outside, the sun was shining, a gentle breeze making one feel comfortable.

"Does Grandpa know about my car accident?"

"Not yet," Luke said. "I suppose you don’t want him to know either, right?"

Indeed, Florence didn’t.

"Grandpa’s getting older, and his health worsens every year." Florence said calmly. "You’ve been staying with me all this time, what about the company?"

Luke didn’t speak.

He wasn’t at the company; naturally, his father and grandfather would back him up.

"There’s no use in staying with me, we’ll have to part eventually."

Luke’s throat felt dry; he swallowed: "Once we go back after you’re better, I’ll commit to truly working hard."

He also wanted... to be with her seriously.