Ethan asked in a low voice: "I would like to ask, is there an ALS patient named Clara here?"

Hearing this, the nurse opened the computer and began to search through the admission records: "Please wait a moment; I will check for you."

At this moment, every second felt incredibly slow.

He didn't even dare to breathe deeply, as if it might affect the final result.

Finally, the nurse spoke: "Yes, she arrived on her own three months ago; she is in Building No. 3 toward the back."

Upon hearing this definitive answer, Ethan’s heart suddenly trembled.

He hurriedly thanked her and walked quickly toward Building No. 3 as directed by the nurse.

On the way, he passed various patients.

Most were leaning on crutches or sitting in wheelchairs, ranging from elderly people with graying hair to children who had just learned to walk.

After asking along the way, Ethan searched around and found Clara in the rehabilitation room.

The instant his gaze touched the person he had been thinking of day and night, Ethan’s eyes reddened.

Three months apart, and Clara was even thinner.

She was wearing loose hospital pajamas, her long hair transformed into a shoulder-length bob, her slender arms braced against parallel bars, and sweat streaked across her stubborn face.

She seemed to be using all her strength, like a child just learning to walk, awkwardly moving her left leg.

Looking at the leg that could finally move, a smile couldn't help but spread across Clara's flushed face.

When she looked up, she hit Ethan’s gaze at the doorway squarely.

For a moment, I didn't even recognize the man before me.

Three months apart, he had become so haggard, and his gaze was no longer as cold and sharp as before, filled only with the vicissitudes of life.

My constricted pupils trembled: "You..."

Before I could finish speaking, Ethan suddenly stepped forward and pulled me tightly into his arms.

The familiar yet long-lost embrace made my breathing lighten involuntarily.

Is this a dream?

Why is Ethan here?

The fullness in his arms made Ethan unable to hold back his tears: "I finally found you..."

His hoarse, trembling voice was filled with the joy of recovering something lost.

My eyes grew red: "I told you not to come look for me."

I had finally survived the torture of longing; why had he appeared again, why was he shaking my heart once more...

As if afraid that I would push him away again, Ethan hurriedly tightened his arms: "I can't do it; I really can't do it. Clara, you don't have to treat me as your husband. As long as you let me stay by your side, no matter what status I have, I will accept it... Just let me stay..."

Listening to his near-begging words, tears welled up in my eyes.

After a long time, I hoarsely spoke: "Ethan, can you endure devotion that receives no return?"

In the near future, I would be unable to respond to anyone's kindness, including Ethan's love.

Ethan slowly let go, looking into my teary eyes, and said word for word: "You being by my side is already the greatest reward."

The sentence pierced my heart, making my tears roll down.

Slowly, I leaned into Ethan’s embrace: "Mm..."

Ethan held me, feeling that empty corner of his heart being slowly filled.

As long as she exists, as long as she has existed, he will never stop loving her.

—The End—