?Chapter 1024:


    Ethan had asked him to fetch the phone and, despite being in pain, had typed that question as if it were a matter of life and death.


    How could anyone not see it?


    His feelings for Maia went far beyond mere affection.


    Maia wasn’t just someone he liked—she was his wife.


    For Chris, Maia’s life mattered more than his own, and there was no danger he wouldn’t face to keep her safe.


    After a brief pause, Chris tapped out his answer. “Absolutely. No one supports Maia more than I do.”


    From the hospital bed, Ethan’s gaze tracked Chris’ fingers as they moved across the screen. A fleeting suspicion crossed his mind that he might have just sent a private message to Chris.


    He gave a small shake of his head, brushing the notion aside. No, that was absurd—surely it was nothing more than chance.


    Looking at Chris’ expression as he typed, Ethan thought that he was chatting with a woman.


    A wide grin spread across Chris’ face, and he even cast a nce in Maia’s direction once the message was sent.


    Damn it. Ethan’s chest burned with the urge to jab at Chris’ shameless, flirty eyes.


    How could Chris sit there, chatting so cheerfully with another woman, right in front of Maia?


    Worse, every so often, he turned toward her wearing that foolish, gentle smile. There was no doubt in Ethan’s mind—Chris’ feelings for Maia were far from pure.


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    Why would she ever hire someone like that to guard her? It was no different from letting a fox into the henhouse.


    Determined to address it, Ethan resolved to send “Justiceze” a direct message.


    Once his decision was made, he typed, “I need to be honest with you. Don’t be shocked—I’m actually Maia’s younger brother.” A gentle buzz came from Chris’ phone almost instantly.


    Ethan’s eyes narrowed. Could this really be just another coincidence? When he nced down at the screen, the reply read, “Yeah, you’re Ethan Watson. I already knew.”


    Ethan’s fingers trembled against the phone, and a rush of excitement surged through him.


    It turned out Hurst had been aware from the very start that he was Maia’s brother.


    That was… wonderful!


    Memories of the ident shed in Ethan’s mind—how Hurst had shown the same level of worry as Mnie, arranged the hospital, paid for every treatment, and handled countless other details.


    All this time, he realized, he had been the only one left in the dark.


    Without wasting a moment, Ethanposed another message. “Didn’t think you’d figure it out so soon. Truth is… I’ve got a pretty good idea who you are, too. Hopefully, you make the most of it and, someday, end up as Maia’s husband, protecting her and chasing all the unhappiness away from her life.”


    Ethan stared at the lines glowing on his phone screen, the words he had just typed weighing heavier than any secret he had ever carried. His heart pounded so hard it felt ready to burst from his chest.


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