RankNovelChapter 166 She was penniless, her body battered and bruised. In such a state, where could she possibly go? Brian's head throbbed with worry.
He considered his options and decided to call Ethan.
But no one answered his call.
Frowning, a wave of anxiety crashed over Brian as he redialed repeatedly, each tmet with silence. "Damned Ethan, can't even pick up the phone!" Brian cursed, tossing his phone onto the table in frustration. Meanwhile, over at the Linwood family residence.
Ethan was already in a drunken stupor, the alcohol slicing through his stomach like a sharp knife.
He felt as if a storm raged inside him, the pain making it hard to breathe. Ethan was curled up in agony, clutching the toilet as he vomited violently. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, and he retched again and again.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtHis insides felt like they were being turned inside out, and even when he was done vomiting, the discomfort didn't subside.
His stomach felt as if it was being twisted by a blade, the pain growing more intense, pushing him to the brink of unconsciousness.
Stumbling out of the bathroom, Ethan was a shell of his former self, barely making it to the couch.
He collapsed onto it, clutching his stomach, murmuring, "Claire, my stomach... medicine..." Hearing the commotion, Nathan and Adah entered the room, gasping at the scene before them.
Empty bottles littered the floor, the air heavy with the stench of alcohol. Ethan was curled up on the couch, his face as pale as a ghost, his lips devoid of color, looking utterly pitiful.
Adah rushed over, kneeling beside him, gently brushing his forehead. "Ethan, how did you end up like this?" Nathan, however, was less sympathetic. Hearing Ethan call out for Claire ignited his anger.
Claire, that troublesgirl-what was so special about her? Compared to Vanessa, she was nothing. One was in the heavens, and the other in the dirt.
If it weren't for needing her, he would never have brought her back from the orphanage eight years ago. Someone like her belonged in an orphanage. It was mercy enough that he didn't send her to the mountains to be used as breeding stock.
With this thought, Nathan unleashed his fury on Ethan.
"Look at yourself! You haven't been to the office, and all you do is drink. Do you want to beca total wreck?" Ethan slowly opened his eyes, seeing his parents, a mix of emotions flickered across his face-pain, guilt, but mostly helplessness.
"Dad, Mom, I'm hurting inside..." His voice was weak and hoarse, each word seeming to sap his strength.
Adah's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she choked out, "You're hurting, but what about us? Look what you've done to yourself!" Ethan closed his eyes in agony, tears slipping down his cheeks.
In that moment, he remembered Claire's care.
During the three years she looked after him, his stomach issues had vanished.
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But ever since she was imprisoned, the pain had slowly returned them following year.
These past two years, it becmore frequent, yet he still drankm excessively as if punishing himself would bring Claire back. "I was wrong, I was so wrong..." Ethan murmured to himself.
Adah's heart ached seeing her son in such pain. She gently patted his shoulder, comforting him, 'There, there, don't beat yourself up. All she beaty ever wanted was family love; she wouldn't truly abandon us. She'll cback once she's cooled off." Nathan, however, was not convinced.
That cursed girl, Claire, nearly destroyed their family.
She hated them, so why would she ever return? Despite his disdain for Claire, he didn't wish for her death.
After all, her other kidney was still healthy.
Who knew when they might need it again?
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