Chapter 85: Hidden Concerns

Chapter 85: Hidden Concerns

Ethan turned down the volume, but the old man's voice only grew louder.

"All you do is work, work, work! You're already the richest person around, and you still want to earn more! How much do you want to make, anyway? Sigh!"

"Did the doctor say something to you? Didn't I already tell you? You're thirty now, you need to take it easy. And now look, are you happy?"

"Emily is younger than you by several years. If you're like this now, what will happen in a few years? Sigh, where's that kidney tonic I sent you? And what about the seahorse and...?"

Ethan quickly covered the receiver, his face showing clear signs of disgust.

This old man is relentless. Not only does he always pick the worst times to call, but his scatterbrained thoughts are top-notch.

He managed to brush off his grandfather and hung up, enjoying the newfound peace. He looked back at Emily, who was staring blankly with her eyelashes lowered, her mouth slightly drooping in a dejected manner.

"You should just tell Grandpa," she said softly, "otherwise, will we keep hiding it from him?"

Despite it being her issue, she was making Ethan bear the brunt of it. And now, her husband was being questioned.

Ethan pulled her closer, placing his palm against her pouting cheek.

"I've got it covered. You don't need to worry about this."

He didn't want to transfer the pressure onto her, especially after having his own head spinning from the call. Besides, he was perfectly capable, and she knew that.

But now, thanks to the call, he wasn't in the mood for anything anymore. He glanced at Emily, who had been charming moments before but now couldn't muster a smile.

Ethan let out a barely perceptible sigh and hugged her.

"How about we go out and have some fun?"

Emily raised an eyebrow. "Hmm?"

"In a couple of days, I'll be done with work. How about we take a vacation abroad?"

While his grandfather was busy making money and had no time for children, Ethan would make time for his little wife. He noticed her mood had been off lately, and despite his own busy schedule, he wanted to take her away to distract her and lift her spirits.

"Where do you want to go?" he asked gently. "Our island? Or do you want to go somewhere else?"

Emily's heart stirred. She remembered the relaxing and sweet time they had during their last island vacation.

But then she suddenly thought of something and shook her head.

"No, you've been working so much lately. It's better not to."

She glanced at Ethan's expression and awkwardly added, "I've got a few things to take care of in the next few days too."

**

Emily did have things to handle, but she didn't want Ethan to know. Just as he would stay up at night on the balcony searching for "IVF side effects," she didn't want him to find out that she was secretly visiting the traditional Chinese medicine clinic.

He took on all the burdens and pressures for her, and she couldn't bear to add more. Besides, she didn't want to give him any false hopes at this point. If there was any disappointment, she could handle it alone.

Emily had secretly visited the clinic twice more. Old Mr. Chen seemed well-versed and didn't seem too concerned about her issues. Each visit, the old doctor would merely take her pulse, ask about her condition, and then write out a prescription for her.

Emily had cautiously inquired about it, but the old man just smiled kindly and told her to relax. He said that it was a natural process and that a relaxed mindset would help things flow better.

With such a laid-back doctor, Emily found herself becoming more laid-back as well. Apart from taking her medicine daily, she didn't think about it much.

Her Chinese medicine was made into granules, making it very convenient to take. One time, Ethan saw her taking it and asked what it was.

Emily cleverly answered that it was new coffee.

She wasn't sure if the bitter herbs and bark truly worked, but they certainly improved her sleep.

After drinking it for two weeks, Emily felt she was sleeping better, having uninterrupted nights of rest until morning.

That night, after taking her medicine, Emily went to bed early, even before Ethan came home from work.

She had a drowsy dream, where she was back at the Clion debutante ball in Paris. She was still in that magnificent gown, with her mother having helped her with the jewelry. Dancing in the grand hall with a golden-haired partner, she twirled around and found her partner's face transformed into Ethan's!

He wore the same gold-rimmed glasses as that night in the Paris bar. He remained tall and upright, with deep, dark eyes looking at her.

The ball wasn't over yet when he pulled her out of the opulent hall. They descended the winding staircase, and he opened a door—into the study of the Star-picking Pavilion!

Ethan carried her into the study, placing her on the desk just like that night and lifting her gown. Emily instinctively tried to push him away but was pulled into his embrace.

She looked at Ethan, seeing him move around her and her feet swinging helplessly, until her toes curled in discomfort.

When Emily groggily woke up and realized that the face in front of her was not a dream but reality, she was outraged.

"Are you crazy? Pervert!" She hit Ethan's back with her soft, sleepy arms. "I'm not even fully awake yet..."

Emily glanced at the clock on the wall, even more exasperated. What time was it? It was still early, and he was acting like a human-sized teddy bear again!

Ethan, with a thin layer of sweat on his forehead, still maintained a steady breath. He leaned down and kissed her lips.

"I'm heading on a business trip soon. It was a last-minute decision."

Emily's face showed a fleeting confusion.

She wanted to ask how long he would be gone, but only strange, shy sounds came out, leaving her with her moist, helpless eyes silently asking him.

Ethan understood her look.

"I'll be gone for half a month," he said, gently sitting her up and holding her slim waist. He whispered tenderly, "Sweetheart, I won't see you for two weeks..."

Since Emily moved in, he hadn't been away for such a long time.

As for her, she had once been away for months with her camera.

Remembering that separation made Ethan even more eager.

Previously, he had to keep her to repay debts, but now, this was an advance payment.

But he still felt it wasn't enough…

Feeling the moment, Ethan stopped and whispered in her ear, "Will you come with me? You can relax over there. Otherwise, if we don't see each other for so long, I'll miss you…"

Emily felt like crying.

He was definitely not missing her!

He was just craving her body!

But seeing Ethan's posture, if she said no, she probably wouldn't be able to walk all day.

In the end, Emily's tears fell, looking like a tortured little pitiful creature, and she nodded repeatedly.

Ethan, thoroughly satisfied, remained clear-headed even after being extremely exhausted.

He changed his plans, intending to wait until Emily rested, have a meal, and then take her on a private plane for the trip.

After Emily took a nap and woke up, she had some bird's nest soup that Ethan made himself.

Although she had agreed to go with him, after a shower, she suddenly changed her mind, saying she had something to do in a few days and couldn't accompany him.

But when asked what she had to do, she stammered and couldn't explain.

Ethan looked obviously disappointed, his long lashes staring at her for a moment, scrutinizing her unnatural expression. In the end, he said nothing, just leaned over and kissed the top of her head, telling her to take care of herself during this time.

Emily wrapped her arms around his neck, momentarily wanting to say something but eventually said nothing. She just left a kiss on his chin and wished him to come home soon.

Fifteen minutes later, Ethan went to the airport alone.

As soon as he got out of the car, the house's bodyguard called.

"Chairman Harrison, Madam just went to the pharmacy alone."