?Chapter 1038:


    In that instant, Hurst’s mind raced through countless memories—Mnie being close to Ethan suddenly, them following Maia, and their unexpected kidnapping.


    The joy and excitement he felt were magnified in his heart by everything that had happened recently.


    Pieces that had never aligned now clicked together, shaping a clear truth Hurst could finally see.


    It had been Mnie who revealed his feelings for Maia to Ethan, setting everything that followed into motion.


    But none of that mattered as much as the revtion itself.


    “Are you certain?” Hurst’s voice was low, edged with restrained hope. He leaned closer. “Maia’s marriage… it is not real?”


    Ethan nodded firmly. “She told me herself. I was supposed to keep it secret, but I want her to find happiness. She deserves it more than anyone.” His young voice cracked with conviction.


    The words jolted through Hurst like lightning.


    The self-imposed chains that had bound him for years shattered in an instant. He should have guessed long ago—Maia’s supposed husband, a man who never appeared, who existed only in rumors, was nothing but smoke.


    Hurst met Ethan’s gaze. Confronted with Ethan’s sincerity, he recognized this as an excellent opportunity and chose to respond in kind to build rapport quickly.


    “Thank you for trusting me with this,” Hurst said quietly. He hesitated, his usual confidence faltering for the briefest second. “But do you not mind? I am far older than your sister. I have been married. I even have a child.”


    Ethan shook his head, his expression fierce with determination. “None of that matters. Mnie and I both want you to be with her. I hope you be my brother-inw.”


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    Ethan’s words lingered long after Hurst stepped out of the emergency room. He walked the corridor with an unshakable smile tugging at his lips, his steps light, as though a weight had finally been lifted.


    Doubts that had gnawed at him for years fell away. Somehow, through twists of fate, things were moving exactly as he had dreamed.


    In his mind, he painted the future: Maia beside him on a golden afternoon, sunlight tangled in her hair, while Ethan’s and Mnie’sughter rang across the grass as they chased each other.


    A family whole again. A happiness once lost, but no longer out of reach.


    “I believe that day is not far away,” he murmured under his breath.


    Wednesday slipped by without making a sound.


    The past several days had been filled with more than enough events. Through trial and error, Chris discovered how to prepare food with healing qualities, although his sess came after he stumbled at the beginning.


    To Maia, Chris’ effort was impressive. She remembered that Elvira had needed more than a dozen attempts before getting it right, squandering precious herbs in the process.


    Ethan, on the other hand, refused to soften his feelings toward Chris. He would not touch a single dish Chris prepared, and his stubbornness slowed down his recovery.


    Marisa, too, avoided the herbal remedies, though her hesitation was less hostile.


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    .<fne146> Original content can be found at find{n}ovel</fne146>