Julian walked back over and took a seat on the chair beside Ethan's bed. His calm gaze swept over Ethan's freshly treated injuries once more, carefully assessing his condition. Satisfied that the bleeding had been controlled for the time being, he reached into his medical bag, pulled out a prescription pad, and began writing down the medications Ethan would need over the next several days.
He listed the antibiotics that had to be taken regularly to prevent infection, followed by pain medication and drugs that would promote proper wound healing. His handwriting remained neat and precise, reflecting the same meticulous nature with which he had treated every one of Ethan's injuries.
After finishing the prescription, Julian tore the sheet from the pad and handed it to Ethan. Their eyes met briefly before Julian spoke in a calm yet serious voice.
"Ethan... Your injuries aren't life-threatening anymore, but that doesn't mean they're minor. You still need proper wound care, antibiotics, and continuous observation under experienced doctors and medical staff."
He paused for a moment before continuing.
"I'm saying this both as your older brother... and as the doctor who just treated you. If you're willing to listen... If you're willing to accept it... I'll prepare a private room for you at my hospital. What do you think?"
Leaning against the headboard, Ethan let out a quiet, almost amused laugh. Without even turning to look at Julian, he closed his eyes and answered lazily.
"So... What's this, Julian? Is my respectable older brother trying to show kindness to his troublesome little brother?"
A faint smile appeared on Ethan's lips.
"I'm not going. The moment Mom sees me, she'll figure everything out. And if Dad finds out... you already know what'll happen."
His smile widened slightly.
"What? You planning to throw me into another storm?"
Julian slowly shook his head before letting out a quiet sigh.
"I understand. I don't want to drag you into more trouble either. But if you stay here...there isn't much more I can do for you."
He looked around the room briefly.
"You don't have enough medication. Yes, there's a medic here. And yes, there are people taking care of you. But this still isn't a hospital. It can never replace one."
His voice remained gentle but firm.
"If you come with me... I'll keep you in a private room. I'll personally take care of your treatment. I won't let Mom or Dad find out. You have my word."
Ethan immediately frowned.
"That's impossible, Julian... Mom will kill me."
Julian stared at him quietly before suddenly letting out an amused smile.
"You only start worrying now? You weren't thinking about Mom getting angry... or Dad exploding with rage... when you got yourself into this mess. Honestly... You really are something. Now you're trying to behave."
Ethan laughed dryly.
"Of course... How would a prince like you ever understand? You've always had everything without even asking for it. The family's perfect golden son... The handsome favorite..."
Julian merely sighed again. Rather than arguing, he simply reached for his phone. After scrolling through his contacts, he tapped one name and placed the call. The phone rang twice. A few moments later, someone answered from the other end.
"Hello..."
"Dr. Julian?"
The familiar female voice sounded warm and respectful.
"Mary. I need you to prepare a private room for me. I'll be bringing in an important patient."
He lowered his voice slightly.
"And... I don't want the hospital director to know about this. You understand, don't you?"
There was no hesitation in Mary's response.
"Yes, Doctor. I understand. I'll arrange everything immediately."
"Good. Call me once everything is ready."
"Yes, Doctor. I'll take care of it right away."
Julian ended the call and slowly lowered the phone. Ethan remained silent after Julian ended the call. His eyes stayed fixed on the blanket covering his legs as he quietly processed everything Julian had just said. Julian looked back at him with the same calm expression as before. His voice was steady, carrying neither pressure nor impatience, only quiet determination.
"Alright... Whether you accept it or not... I still want to take you with me. And just like you heard... Dad won't find out. Once your injuries have healed, you can go back to doing whatever you want. But for now... I'm going to treat you as my own private patient."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"I can't leave you in this mansion. And I won't."
The room fell silent once again. Ethan lowered his head slightly, his brows drawing together as he thought over Julian's words. For the first time since Julian had arrived, he did not argue back immediately.
Finally, Ethan slowly lifted his head and gave a faint nod.
"...Alright."
The answer was short, but it was enough. Seeing Ethan finally agree, Julian let out an almost imperceptible sigh of relief. Without wasting another second, he turned toward the medic standing nearby.
"Medic... I'll need your help. We're transferring him to my car."
The medic nodded immediately.
"Yes, Doctor."
Together with the other attendants, they carefully helped Ethan sit up before supporting him as he slowly stood from the bed. Even after the treatment, every movement still caused pain to shoot through both his leg and injured arm. His face tightened slightly, but he endured it without making a sound.
Julian stayed beside him the entire time. The attendants carefully assisted Ethan into a wheelchair before slowly pushing him out of the room. The Eagle Wings personnel silently stepped aside as they passed through the hallway. No one questioned Julian's decision nor attempted to stop them. Although Julian was an outsider to Eagle Wings, everyone present had personally witnessed him saving Ethan's life only moments earlier.That alone earned him a level of respect they could not deny.
Julian opened the car while the medic and attendants carefully helped Ethan into the passenger seat, making sure neither his injured leg nor stitched arm suffered unnecessary strain. Once Ethan was seated comfortably, Julian checked the bandages one last time.
"No excessive movement. If anything starts bleeding again, tell me immediately."
Ethan answered with a tired smile.
"You're starting to sound like an old man."
After thanking the medic for his assistance, he walked around to the driver's seat and started the engine. The car quietly pulled away from the Eagle Wings mansion. From time to time, however, he glanced toward Ethan to make sure his condition remained stable. Ethan rested with his eyes closed, conserving what little strength he had left after enduring two procedures without anesthesia.
Nearly half an hour later, they arrived at the hospital. Rather than entering through the main entrance, Julian drove directly into the underground parking garage. As soon as the car came to a stop, Nurse Mary was already waiting beside an emergency stretcher with two nurses. The moment she saw Julian step out of the car, she hurried over respectfully.
"Good evening, Doctor."
Julian gave a slight nod.
"The patient's inside. Be careful with his leg. It has just been operated on."
"Yes, Doctor."
Mary answered immediately before helping the nurses transfer Ethan carefully from the passenger seat onto the stretcher. Only after Ethan had been laid down securely did she finally get a proper look at his face. For a brief moment, surprise flashed across her expression as she immediately recognized him.
The patient Julian had personally brought in was his own step-brother. Mary quickly composed herself and greeted him politely before turning her attention back to her work. Without wasting another second, she began directing the nurses as they prepared to transfer Ethan to the private room that had already been arranged.