Chapter 69

Somewhere else. At the hospital. After Ethan rushed Claire to the ER, the doctor gave her a quick look and said the wound was a bit deep and she'd need a couple of stitches, otherwise it wouldn't heal properly. Ethan got visibly tense—worried sick about Claire, but also silently fuming at Emma. "I don't want stitches, Ethan. I'm scared. It's gonna hurt, and I don't want a scar," Claire murmured, trembling slightly as she shrank into his arms. "Hey, it's okay," Ethan spoke softly, wrapping her up gently. "I'll be with you the whole time." "Really?" "Yeah... I promise." "Then don't let go of my hand, ever," she clutched him tightly, her voice stubborn but weak. "I won't. I'm not letting go again," Ethan whispered, then turned his gaze to the doctor without breaking contact. "Arrange everything now. I don't want even the tiniest scar left on her." "Of course, Mr. Hunt!" The doctor scrambled off instantly, afraid the hospital would be shut down if they made him mad. While the anesthesia wa