Surveillance footage captured one night when Ethan had staggered back into the home he once shared . with Ashley - only to bolt out again at dawn . As his memory finally caught up , everything came flooding back - he'd been on a business trip that night when someone drugged him . In that drugged haze , he'd driven over a hundred kilometers , straight to Ashleys'door . Later , he'd left in a hurry after answering a call from Lila . She'd been injured , and his entire focus had shifted to her . Ashley had never spoken of that night - and so , in time ,, so he simply … forgot . " There was never another man . Ash loved me , and only me , from beginning to end … " The clouds that had hung over him for days finally broke , leaving his chest startlingly light . He immediately tried to call Ashley - but her number wouldn't connect . His assistant's investigation only revealed that her last known location was the airport . After that , she had disappeared without a trace . A familiar panic punched through him , the fear of losing her again tightening around his heart like a vice . He gripped his phone tightly , forcing himself to stay calm . In that moment , Ethan finally saw his heart for what it was . He was in love with Ashley . He loved Ashley Whitmore . No longer denying it , Ethan didn't hesitate to visit Lila at the hospital . In just a few weeks , she had changed drastically . Her vitality was gone . She'd wasted away so much that even the smallest hospital gown hung loose on her fragile frame - like a single gust could carry her off . When she saw Ethan , there was no light in her eyes . She gave him a brief glance before turning away . Right after the surgery , she'd still loved him . She had cried for him , screamed for him , even tried to end her own life - but he never came . Perhaps it was brushing that thin line between life and death that finally made her see the truth . Ethan no longer loved her . Chapter 12 60.00 % CEVONY Download Or maybe , be never truly had . Maybe all he ever gave her was indulgence , not love . Lila . I'm sorry . We- " " Let's get divorced , " she cut him off quietly . For the first time , she spoke to him without a trace of whining or tantrums . " Ethan , you sicken me . I want a divorce . " Lila Bennett had always gotten whatever she wanted . And when she didn't want something , no one could force it on her . She was proud and spoiled , but she wasn't stupid . Her obsession with Ethan only existed because he used to love and spoil her . " Lila … " Ethan was stunned . He'd expected tears , protest , emotional breakdowns . He'd even come prepared to handle her resistance . If she refused , he'd been ready to lean on the Bennett family - dangling a hundred - billion - dollar project în exchange for her signature . He never imagined Lila would be the one to bring it up . He reached out instinctively , but she pulled away , repulsed . " Go . My lawyer will be in touch . " She turned her head , unable to look at him even once more . Ethan wasn't offended . In fact , he was grateful for her understanding . He even gave the Bennett family an additional 10 % profit in their joint venture as a gesture of thanks . That same month , the divorce was finalized . Then Ethan focused all his energy - and every connection he had - on searching for Ashley . He would scour the earth to find her . Three years bled away in the blink of an eye . He had combed every corner of the country . He had searched across continents . But Ashley Whitmore was nowhere to be found . Ethan spiraled into deeper and deeper regret . He drowned himself in work , in alcohol , in self - loathing . He hated himself for taking so long to realize his own heart . Hated that he had misjudged Ashley . Hated Chapter 12 60.00 % EVONY Download himself most for using her to protect Lila . As time passed , the pain only grew . Every time that dried trail of blood across Cresthill Manor's floor rose in his mind , he felt like ripping himself apart . At his lowest , Ethan would resort to cutting his own skin . Only the sight of his own blood could bring the faintest scrap of peace . Ashley loved him - loved him deeply . She was always terrified of him getting hurt . If she saw him bleeding , she would surely be heartbroken … And maybe - just maybe - seeing it would make her forgive him . Chapter 12