### **A Moment of Vulnerability**
After informing Ethan's father about the situation, Evelyn returned to Ethan's hospital room.
Inside, Ethan was crying like a frightened child, struggling against the nurse as she attempted to administer an injection.
"Please leave me—I don't want an injection," he murmured weakly, his voice laced with fear.
Without hesitation, Evelyn rushed to his side. Gently, she cradled his head in her lap, holding his hands tightly to steady him.
"Sir, don't be scared," she whispered. "I'm here with you."
With Evelyn's reassuring presence, Ethan slowly calmed down, allowing the nurse to administer the injection.
---
### **His Parents Arrive**
Moments later, Ethan's parents arrived at the hospital, their expressions filled with worry.
Maria gasped when she saw her son gripping Evelyn's hands tightly, fear evident in his posture.
Tears welled in her eyes as she turned to Evelyn. "What happened to Ethan?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Evelyn patiently explained everything that had transpired, gently reassuring Maria that Ethan would be alright.
John stepped forward, gratitude shining in his gaze.
"Evelyn, thank you so much," he said sincerely. "If you hadn't been here, Ethan's condition could have worsened. We are truly grateful to you."
He then glanced at the clock, concern evident in his expression.
"It's getting late," he added. "I've asked the driver to drop you off at your house."
Evelyn shook her head. "Uncle, please don't thank me. Ethan has helped me a lot—I'm simply returning the favor. I appreciate the concern, but I'll be fine on my own. I have one last bus to catch home."
She turned to Maria and offered a warm smile. "Aunt, I know how much you love Ethan. Don't worry—he will recover soon. After the doctor checks on him in the morning, he will be discharged. I'll be here early tomorrow."
---
### **A Quiet Departure**
Before leaving, Evelyn gently moved Ethan's head from her lap, placing it carefully onto the pillow.
She took one last glance at him—his face was still pale, but at least he was resting now.
With that, she quietly exited the room, leaving Ethan in the care of his parents.
---
### **Will This Change Their Relationship?**
Evelyn had stepped in when Ethan needed comfort the most. Would this moment soften the distance between them?
---
### **A Growing Bond**
Ethan's mother sat beside him, tears streaming down her face as she watched her son struggle through his illness.
John placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Dear, don't cry," he said gently. "If you keep worrying like this, it'll affect your health too."
---
### **A Heartfelt Plea**
Suddenly, Ethan stirred, crying out unconsciously. "Evelyn… I'm very afraid. Please don't leave me."
Maria wiped her tears and gently consoled him until he drifted back to sleep.
She then turned to her husband, deep in thought.
"I still find it hard to believe that Ethan is truly in love with someone," she admitted. "Even when he brought Evelyn to our house, I wasn't convinced. But she respects us—she comes every week because we asked her to.
She treats us kindly, and today, she took care of Ethan in his weakest moment. What surprises me most is how easily Ethan has become attached to her.
I pray to God that this is all real."
John smiled knowingly. "Does that mean you now accept Evelyn as our future daughter-in-law?"
Maria hesitated, then nodded.
"I had a feeling she was meant for Ethan from the moment I met her," John admitted. "And now, I'm happy."
With their thoughts finally settled, they stayed by Ethan's side, eventually falling asleep in their chairs near his bed.
---
### **A New Day**
In the morning, Ethan's parents woke up early and freshened up. Evelyn also arrived early, ready to check on him.
The doctor entered the room for a final examination.
"He's alright now," the doctor announced. "I'm discharging him today. But for the next two days, he must stick to easily digestible foods and get plenty of rest. If he doesn't, his condition could worsen, and he'll need to be admitted again."
Maria nodded firmly. "Yes, doctor, I'll make sure he takes care of himself."
Ethan let out a sigh of relief—he had been impatiently waiting to be discharged.
---
### **Evelyn Stays Close**
John turned to Evelyn. "Evelyn, take care of Ethan," he requested before leaving with Maria to handle the discharge paperwork and grab a cup of coffee.
After they left, Evelyn looked at Ethan, noticing his silence.
"Sir, are you feeling okay?" she asked. "Do you feel uncomfortable? Should I call the doctor?"
Ethan scoffed playfully. "Are you going to call the doctor again? You've done enough damage. You got your revenge this way."
Evelyn laughed at his teasing.
"Anyway," Ethan continued, more sincerely, "thank you for taking care of me when I was unwell. But I won't thank you for admitting me to the hospital."
Evelyn only smiled in response.
Ethan's parents returned to the room shortly after, finalizing the arrangements.
---
### **A Change in Routine**
Once they arrived back home, Maria turned to Evelyn.
"Evelyn, he won't listen to me. So for the next two days, take all his office files here and work with him from home."
Ethan immediately protested. "Maria, there's no need! I'm fine—I'll go to the office."
Evelyn ignored his protests and reassured Maria.
"Aunt, don't worry about his words," she said. "I'll do exactly as you say. Do you remember what the doctor said? If he doesn't rest, his condition will worsen, and he'll end up back in the hospital."
Ethan fell silent—his fear of another hospital visit held him back from arguing further.
His parents exchanged glances, surprised by the influence Evelyn had over their stubborn son.
---
### **A House Full of Care**
Over the next two days, Evelyn picked up all of Ethan's office files and worked alongside him at home.
She also assisted his mother with household chores, including preparing meals.
Ethan's parents watched everything closely. **Evelyn wasn't just caring for Ethan—she was naturally fitting into their home.**
Meanwhile, Ethan himself started feeling more attached to her than ever, recognizing how much she genuinely cared for him.
---
### **Will Their Connection Deepen?**
Ethan had always seen his arrangement with Evelyn as purely business, but her constant care and support were beginning to break through his walls.
Would their relationship shift from an act to something real?
---
### **A Visit from friends & collegues**
Later that day, Ethan's friends and office staff arrived at his house, eager to check on his health.
They expressed their concern, asking how he was feeling after his hospitalization.
Ethan, though still recovering, managed to smile at their presence, grateful for their support.
---
### **A Heartbreaking Truth**
After two days of rest, Ethan returned to the office, refreshed and ready to work.
As soon as he arrived, he started searching for Evelyn, but he couldn't find her anywhere. Puzzled, he approached Ivy.
"Ivy, has Evelyn come to the office today?" he asked.
Ivy shook her head. "Sir, she's on leave today. She got permission from you last week."
Ethan furrowed his brows. "Oh, right. I completely forgot."
He turned to leave but suddenly paused, glancing back at Ivy.
"Evelyn only asked for leave—she didn't mention the reason," he said curiously. "I know you two are close friends, and she shares everything with you. Do you know why she took leave?"
Ivy hesitated for a moment before responding.
"Sir… today, her brother is undergoing heart surgery," she revealed. "That's why she took leave."
Ethan's confusion deepened. "Heart surgery? Evelyn told me her brother is studying in the 10th grade."
Ivy nodded. "Yes, sir, he is—but he took a month off from school for this operation."
Ethan's concern grew. "I don't understand. What's the problem? Why does he need heart surgery?"
Ivy sighed, knowing Ethan deserved to know the truth.
"Evelyn's brother has holes in his heart. They discovered it three years ago. Her father had an accident while driving, consumed with worry over how to afford the treatment for his son," Ivy explained.
"After his accident, Evelyn's mother sold their family-owned hotel to gather money for the operation. She now works as an employee at the same hotel she once owned, just to support her family.
They managed to collect ₹4 lakhs for the surgery, but they still needed ₹2 lakhs more. When Evelyn joined our office as your PA, she didn't know how else to gather the remaining amount.
That's when she turned to you for help. You gave her ₹2 lakhs—without even knowing the reason behind it. She has always spoken highly of you, saying she admires your generosity."
Ethan stood frozen, absorbing every word. He felt a sharp pang of regret—he had never known the full extent of Evelyn's struggles.
At that moment, Evelyn called Ivy.
Ivy picked up the call while Ethan, lost in thought, slowly walked back to his room.
---
### **Ethan's Growing Guilt**
Ethan was already consumed with guilt for wrongly accusing Evelyn of leaking the price bid amount.
But after hearing about Evelyn's struggles from Ivy, his heart sank even deeper.
Every misconception he had about her shattered—her sacrifices, her pain, and the immense responsibility she carried weighed heavily on his mind.
For the first time, he realized just how much he had misjudged her.
And now, the weight of his mistake felt unbearable.
---
### **Will Ethan Take Action?**
Knowing the truth, would Ethan step forward to make amends?
Or would his guilt hold him back?
---
Endless Love continues...