Arlington Heights Ethan sped Lila to the hospital , holding her so tightly as she cried the whole way there , murmuring reassurances the entire way . He was furious with himself . For once , the man known for his sharp instincts had been outmaneuvered . He thought his uncle was going after the family patriarch - only to realize , too late , it had all been a diversion . The real attack had been on the villa . If Ashley hadn't been there to take the brunt hit , he couldn't bear to imagine what might have happened to Lila … " Thank God you're safe , Lila . " Ethan still couldn't calm down . Even with her in his arms , an overwhelming fear of losing her gripped his chest . He didn't know why it felt so strong - only that he couldn't stop holding her tighter , to the point where Lila started gasping . " Baby , you're … crushing me ! " she gasped , wriggling against his iron hold . Startled , Ethan quickly loosened his hold . " Sorry . I just … I was so scared of losing you . " " Do you really not love Ashley ? You said all those things to protect me ? " Lila sniffled as more tears rolled down her cheeks . " When I heard you say you loved her , it shattered my heart … " Ethan opened his mouth , but his throat clenched shut . Ashley's eyes from earlier flashed in his mind - empty yet pleading , a quiet kind of desperation . It made something in his chest tighten . When he'd said those words … maybe they hadn't been entirely fake … " Ethan ? " Lila's voice rose again . " Why aren't you saying anything ? Were you lying to me ?! " She pounded on his chest and tried to wriggle free . Out of nowhere , a surge of irritation rose in him . Chapter 8 t IMABLAY CONECTATE OR VIDEO EN DIRECTO Tango - Live Stream , Vide … ( 4.92m ) | Tango 40.00 % Learn More For the first time , he actually wanted to let her go . The thought startled him . He had known Lila since he was eight and she was four - a tiny doll in a pink princess dress , barking orders at other heiresses like they were her maids . He'd been drawn to her pride and temper from the start . He was born at the top of the world - and only a girl like her , a princess among elites , could match his status . Back then , he had chosen her as his future wife . For two decades , he had indulged her every whim , spoiled her until no one but him could stand her . She belonged to him , and only him . Ethan had always believed he loved her . Only her . Even the brief affection he'd felt for Ashley during his amnesia couldn't change that . After all , Lila was the kind of woman who fit his world . So why , now , did he suddenly find her too loud ? Why did Ashley - the quiet , gentle Ashley - suddenly seem so … peaceful by comparison ? " You don't love me anymore , do you ? You've changed ! " Lila whimpered , cradling her belly . " Our baby's upset - my stomach hurts so much ! " Her cries yanked Ethan back to the present . He quickly pulled her close again . " Don't think like that . Of course I love you . " But even he didn't notice - the conviction in his voice was gone . The hospital confirmed it was just stress . The baby was fine . Ethan finally relaxed . He coaxed Lila to sleep . Yet when he closed his eyes , it was Ashley's face that appeared . Especially the way she had grabbed his pant leg , her voice trembling in pain- Chapter 8 HABLAY CONECTATE OR VIDEO EN DIRECTO Tango- Live Stream , Vide … ( 4.92m ) | Tango 40.00 % Learn More " Ethan … help me … help my baby … " Ethan rubbed his temples . A strange feeling crept up his spine . What had she said ? Help her … what ? He glanced at the now - sleeping Lila , then stepped out of the room with his phone . He instinctively opened his contacts and scrolled . Nothing . He suddenly remembered - he'd never added Ashley on WhatsApp . During those three months he lost his memory , they were always together . No need for messaging . After regaining his memory , he had avoided using WhatsApp at all , afraid Lila might discover something . Ashley never pushed . For the past two years , they only used calls or the occasional text . He hadn't even saved her number with her name . Staring at that string of digits , so familiar and distant at once , his hand trembled . He remembered telling her he'd taken a job as a trucker . Back then , she called and texted him every day , eager to share every little thing in her life . But he was already back with the Campbells , disgusted by her modest background . He ignored her completely - sometimes leaving dozens of her messages unread . Eventually , the calls and texts stopped . No more little weather updates . No more rambling , heartfelt paragraphs . And then , one day … she disappeared from his inbox altogether . Time froze for a moment . A sharp ache pierced his chest . His fingers trembled . Was that … heartache ? No. Impossible . Chapter 8 40.00 % IMABLAY CONECTATE OR VIDEO EN Tango - Live Stream , Vide …… . ( 4.92m ) | Tango Learn More He didn't love Ashley . Why would he feel pain for her ? Ethan forced a laugh . He'd only kept her around to repay a debt . Now he was just checking in to make sure she didn't die in his villa . After all , it was technically his fault she'd been caught in the chaos . His gaze darkened . He moved to press the call button - when a voice behind him interrupted . " Eth … there you are . I woke up and didn't see you . I got so scared … " Lila's voice was hoarse and fragile . Her words laced with quiet hurt . Ethan quickly put his phone away and rushed to her side . " I just stepped out for a smoke . Don't worry , I'm not going anywhere , " he murmured , scooping her into his arms . She curled against him like a kitten , clinging tightly to his shirt . Ethan stayed and rocked her back to sleep , temporarily pushing Ashley from his mind . He could always give her more money . That would be enough to make up for everything . That night , Lila's sleep was restless . She kept waking up , looking for Ethan . He barely slept at all . It wasn't until daylight that he finally dozed off . When he woke , it was nearly noon - and the first thing he saw was Lila holding his phone . As soon as their eyes met , she scoffed and turned away . " Hmph . And you say you don't love Ashley . Why do you still have all your messages with her ?! " Ethan frowned and reached for his phone . But Lila beat him to it - pressing delete with a flourish . " I wiped all your texts and call logs . From now on , you're not allowed to contact her ! " A cold glint flashed across Ethan's eyes . Chapter 8 IHABLAY CONECTATE OR VIDEO EN DIRECTO ! Tango- Live Stream , Vide … ( 4.92m ) | Tango 40.00 % Learn More For the first time ever - he got angry at Lila . " Lila Bennett , you've gone too far . Who the hell said you could go through my phone ? " Lila stared at him , stunned . Tears welled up instantly . She opened her mouth but couldn't say a word , too hurt to speak . She looked so fragile and wounded - it made Ethan feel guilty . Had he seriously just yelled at her … because of Ashley ? He must be losing his mind . And yet , he couldn't stop thinking about the face he'd never see again . All those messages he'd never read . The thought of never seeing them again made something inside him twist , sharp and aching . Chapter 8