Substitute Bride: Utterly Pampered by Her Billionaire Husband

Chapter 1531: He Murmurs Someone’s Name in His Sleep

However, this phone call ultimately wasn’t made, and Ethan Barnes tiredly closed his eyes.

...

Carlotta really wanted to go out, but Ethan had already said no, and she dared not disobey. However, her girlfriends kept calling her to invite her out.

One of her friends named Mina called her every day, "Princess Hayden, why haven’t you been coming out to have fun? It’s almost New Year’s, hurry up and come buy clothes, do some skincare, get your nails done, only then can you drive King Hayden crazy."

No matter how she mesmerized him, even if she dressed as beautifully as possible, his gaze never landed on her. Moreover, he no longer slept with her.

Thinking of this made Carlotta a little agitated, but she didn’t want to lose face; she wanted to maintain the appearance of a happy marriage in front of outsiders, "I’m not going out these days. You have no idea, King Hayden is exceptionally clingy. He voiced his opinion when I spent every day with you. Since it’s almost New Year’s, he wants me to accompany him more at home."

"Oh wow," Mina responded with envy, "Princess Hayden, you’re so happy. Let me tell you, I know a highly attained monk, he’s incredibly mystical. As long as we sincerely bow to him, our husbands will be utterly devoted to us, and if you want children, you will get pregnant quickly."

"Really?" Carlotta’s eyes lit up immediately. Ethan’s affection and offspring were exactly what she needed, "Where is this monk?"

"At a temple, Princess Hayden, hurry up and come out, I’ll accompany you to the temple to bow and ask him for a small Crown Prince," Mina embellished.

Carlotta was tempted, she wished she could go immediately. But remembering Ethan’s warning about the dangers outside, she hesitated.

"Okay, I’ll arrange my schedule, and when I have time, I’ll make an appointment with you, and we can go visit that monk at the temple together."

"Alright, Princess Hayden, I’ll wait for your call."

They hung up the phone, and Carlotta was restless, determined that even if Ethan disagreed, she would secretly make a trip to that temple.

At night, Carlotta waited for Ethan to come home, but no matter how long she waited, he didn’t show up. She sat on the sofa, her mind racing—where had Ethan gone?

Did he go see Celeste Linden, or was there another woman outside?

At this time, the maid stepped forward and said, "Madam, dinner is ready, shall we eat first?"

Carlotta responded unpredictably, "No need, I’m waiting for my husband to eat together, why isn’t he home yet, did he call?"

Lately, Carlotta’s mood had been unstable, and even the psychologist advised against triggering her, so the maids served her cautiously, "Madam, the master didn’t call, but perhaps he’s delayed by some business tonight. In the past, the master often came home late, but since the marriage, he came home on time. Clearly, he’s very attentive to you, madam, complying with all your requests."

With a glare, Carlotta shot a look over, angrily staring at the maid, "What do you mean by that, are you defending your master, implying that he’s been accommodating me since the marriage and all I do is make unreasonable demands?"

The maid trembled with fear, face pale, "Madam, that’s not what I meant, I wouldn’t dare..."

Carlotta abruptly stood up, grabbed a teacup, and smashed it on the carpet, "I know you all are laughing at me behind my back, looking down on me!"

The maids huddled in the corner, shivering, "Madam, we really didn’t mean that, please don’t be angry, you misunderstood..."

The more they denied it, the angrier Carlotta felt. She thought these people never truly considered her their mistress; they thought she was sick, that she was crazy.

Just then, the front door was suddenly pushed open, and the piercing cold wind blew in as Ethan walked back with his trusted aide.

Carlotta was even more furious. She rushed up to Ethan and questioned, "Ethan, why are you home so late? Where did you go? Did you go out fooling around?"

Ethan’s face looked a bit pale. He glanced at Carlotta and intended to go upstairs, not wanting to get involved in a confrontation.

The trusted aide offered an apologetic smile, "Madam, the master had some urgent matters tonight, so he returned late. Rest assured, I was with him the whole time, and he didn’t go out to have fun. Since the marriage, not even a female fly has been near the master."

Carlotta huffed, clearly skeptical, and Ethan’s disregard ignited a fire in her heart. Unwilling to let it go, she ran ahead and grabbed Ethan’s arm, "Ethan, do you think I would believe that? Of course, he’d support you, but tell me honestly, where were you messing around, and which little floozy caught your eye?"

Suddenly, Ethan let out a painful groan.

Carlotta froze. It was then she noticed Ethan’s hand was pressed against his right abdomen, with a large amount of blood seeping out.

Ethan’s eyes rolled back, and his tall frame collapsed to the ground.

"Master!" screamed the trusted aide, quickly ordering, "Call the private doctor immediately, and remember, not a word about tonight."

"Yes."

The servants, experienced and efficient, began to busy themselves at the trusted aide’s command.

Carlotta felt cold all over, she wanted to care for Ethan, "Ethan..."

But the trusted aide and the butler had already helped Ethan upstairs, looking at Carlotta and saying, "Madam, at this time, please don’t create more trouble."

Everyone disappeared upstairs.

Carlotta stood frozen, she cared for Ethan, loved him, but everyone was busy, and there she stood alone, helpless, like an outsider.

...

Ethan lay on the bed, having been shot in the right abdomen, losing a lot of blood.

The doctor removed the bullet and stitched him up promptly; the injury was severe, and midnight saw Ethan developing a high fever.

The medical staff stayed, providing around-the-clock care, with the room filled with the scent of disinfectant.

The trusted aide asked the doctor, "Doctor, when will the master wake up?"

"The bullet is out, so it shouldn’t be life-threatening, and given the patient’s strength, he should regain consciousness by morning, but..."

"But what?"

"The patient’s mood has been troubled lately, exhausted in mind and body. He needs a good rest."

The trusted aide stood by the bed watching Ethan, who, though unconscious, furrowed his brow, muttering a name...