Just as they got back on their feet , Ethan blocked their path . Blood ran down his right arm from a gunshot wound , yet his eyes blazed - wild , fevered , unhinged . " Where do you think you're going ? " he rasped . " Ash is mine . I won't let anyone take her from me ! If I'm going down , we're going down together . " He raised his gun again , pointing it directly at Cyrael . Without hesitation , Cyrael pulled Ashley behind him and kicked a nearby chair at Ethan . In the moment it took him to dodge , Cyrael lunged forward and kicked the gun from Ethan's hand . " You think you're even worthy to fight for her? " he sneered , before scooping Ashley into his arms and making a run for it . But just then , a stray bullet sliced through the air - headed straight for them . Ashley reacted instinctively . She shoved Cyrael aside but couldn't dodge in time herself . Bang . A dull , sickening thud split the silence - the sound of a bullet finding flesh . Ashley froze , her body numb as warm blood sprayed across her cheek . But the pain didn't come . Ethan had stepped in front of her . The bullet tore through his chest , grazing her face . He swayed , and then collapsed toward her . Cyrael stepped between them and caught Ethan's body before it hit the ground . Ethan's eyes flickered with sorrow , his lips trembling . Even now - he wasn't allowed to die in Ashley's arms . " Ash … I'm just glad you're okay , " he whispered . " This heart … the one I owe you - consider it returned . It's still warm , and it loved you . " " If my death is worth a single tear from you … then maybe it's not in vain . " " Right here … " Ethan lifted a trembling hand to his chest . " Doesn't it look like the missing piece of that puzzle ? If there's a next life … will you save me again ? " " I'll love you , truly . I'll protect you , spoil you . I'll give you the traditional wedding you always dreamed of … Chapter 19 95.00 % AD Wife on the Run , Again ! ( DUBBED ) > I'll even sew the qipao myself … " Hope lit his eyes even as blood bubbled from his lips . His words kept tumbling out like a broken tape recorder . " Ash , your foster father's watch - I had it fixed . It's at our place … I bought the house . Everything is just like it used to be … come back home , won't you ? " " I swear I've changed … if there's a next life … please , just one more chance … " Ashley stood rooted to the spot , her gaze fixed on the gaping wound in Ethan's chest . Her face was expressionless , as if her soul had left her body . No matter what Ethan said , she gave no response . The gunfire had stopped . Ethan's mercenaries had all been arrested . Guests who had been traumatized at the wedding were now escorted away by security . Silence settled - heavy , airless , and cold . Only Ethan's ragged breathing remained . " Ash … " he gasped weakly , " say something … I … " He coughed , and another mouthful of blood poured out . His vision was dimming . Desperate , he reached for her . Ashley didn't speak . She simply tugged Cyrael's arm and gave him a look . Understanding , Cyrael gently lowered Ethan to the ground . Moments later , police officers surrounded Ethan and loaded him onto a stretcher . Even then , his gaze never left Ashley - eyes locked , trembling lips moving soundlessly . He still hadn't heard her say a word . The bullet had torn straight through Ethan's heart , shredding his coronary artery . By all accounts , he should've been dead on arrival . But somehow , he kept breathing . Held on . Waiting . Chapter 19 95.00 % Wife on the Run , Again ! ( DUBBED ) Doctors called it a medical miracle . The Canadian authorities took special notice and decided to initiate full - scale emergency resuscitation- both to save his life and to study what made him survive something no one else could . Now Ethan lay in a secure , off - grid facility - tubes threaded into every limb , his body in stasis , undergoing constant testing . Yet still … He refused to die .