The Day My Ex Said He Was a Dragon Chapter 13

Harsh sunlight.

I jerked awake to find myself no longer in the ocean, but in a hospital room.

Two low voices conversed at the door, as if afraid to wake someone.

Moments later, the door opened gently. Walking in were none other than Ethan and the baby.

"Mommy's awake!"

The baby, who'd grown legs, was only about toddler height. She ran to my bedside on short little legs, beaming.

"You scared me."

She looked like a child but spoke with an old soul's tone: "Daddy and I were following behind you, but then we suddenly encountered an ocean earthquake and got separated from you."

I keenly caught certain key words: "...Following behind me?"

Ethan coughed heavily.

The baby clearly hadn't grasped Daddy's meaning at all.

Her tone carried slight reproach: "Right. Daddy said if I let you discover me, he wouldn't let me follow you anymore."

Completely sold out, Ethan's jade-like face remained its usual calm, only his ears burning red.

I wanted to tease them both, but worried he'd dive back into the ocean in embarrassment, so I held back.

My body recovered quickly. Mrs. Ashford even sent a helicopter to pick us up.

But I wasn't sure of Ethan's thoughts: "Do you want to come back with me?"

The person packing paused, then turned without a word and left carrying the hot water kettle.

I was baffled—did that mean yes or no?

The baby walked over holding a photo, pointing at the people one by one: "This is Grandma, this is Grandpa..."

Her memory was excellent—she recited them all in one breath without pausing, her eyes sparkling: "Daddy said if I remember them all, he'll reward me with cake."

I slapped my forehead in chagrin. I hadn't realized Ethan had already prepared this step, and I'd still been doubting him.

I got up and walked out to find Ethan standing at the end of the hallway, head down, emanating dejection.

As if he'd been abandoned by someone.

This sentimental dragon-person had probably imagined some heartbreaking scenario on his own again.

"Ethan."

I walked over and hugged him: "I was just worried you were angry, worried I'd upset you again."

I cupped his face, making his eyes meet mine: "I really, really want you to come back with me. Really."

Under the moonlight, the beautiful little dragon-person's face flushed crimson. He "hmph"ed, his tone soft and drawn out, almost like acting spoiled.

But his arms honestly embraced me, so forceful as if trying to embed me into his body.

Mrs. Ashford had just barely processed the fact that Ethan was a dragon-person when she was hit with a dragon-person granddaughter.

But before she could digest it, the baby's sweet "Grandma" after "Grandma" captured her heart completely. She lavished the little dragon-person with chocolate and milk, earning the top spot on the baby's favorite humans list.

Mine and Ethan's wedding was also put on the agenda.

Thinking of Ethan's identity, I chose the location as an island in the Pacific I'd bought two years ago.

This island had perpetual spring. The well-maintained lawn was emerald beautiful.

Airlifted roses filled the air with rich fragrance, and rare butterfly species danced from the forest.

Ethan wore a pure white suit, his refined features even more exquisite with a bit of grooming.

We exchanged rings, making solemn vows to become partners amid falling confetti and guests' cheers.

The wedding festivities lasted until late at night.

The moon hung above the ocean, reflecting on the surging tide in shimmering light.

Ethan took my hand, asking if I wanted to go into the ocean.

Dragon-people naturally loved the sea. I thought he missed the deep ocean: "Sure."

Ethan's long legs transformed back into a dragon tail. He easily brought me swimming through the ocean.

The little dragon-person held me close, suddenly diving beneath the surface.

I instinctively closed my eyes, holding my breath.

Two soft lips pressed against mine, and something round like a bead rolled into my throat.

Before I could wonder what it was, Ethan released me, saying softly: "Open your eyes."

I opened my eyes as told, discovering the ocean that should have been dark was now completely visible. I could even see thumb-sized dragon-people swimming in rock crevices.

I couldn't help speaking: "What... what is this?"

"A dragon-person's heart pearl."

Ethan said: "Now you can breathe freely in the ocean and see everything I see."

The heart pearl—I'd heard Sebastian mention it once. It existed only in dragon-people's hearts.

I'd never imagined Ethan would one day cut open his own heart to give me this pearl.

Where the pearl had rolled through felt like fire burning, scorching my internal organs. My heart felt cut open too, transmitting sharp pain.

"Foolish dragon."

I covered his eyes, kissing his chest where a faint scar remained.

A foolish dragon who fell for a human and offered up his very heart.

"Now you can't hide from me even if you want to."

I smiled, my nose inexplicably stinging: "Wherever you go, I can follow you."

"I never wanted to hide from you anyway."

Ethan's voice grew weak: "The baby's shell developed cracks. I had to send her back to the ocean. She needed at least six months to grow legs."

"But when you got hurt and I sent you to the hospital that day, she was so anxious that she transformed into human form early to follow you."

Ethan explained quietly: "I had Sebastian tell you."

"..."

I remembered Sebastian's lie about Ethan never coming back, my teeth itching slightly.

But Sebastian had one thing right—dragon-people had little conscience.

At least Ethan was now completely selling out his cousin: "I can find him. Do with him what you will."

You could say it was quite lacking in familial loyalty.

But that was all for later. At least tonight was our wedding night—we should do something proper about it.

The surrounding creatures had all been scared far away by the little dragon-person.

I rested on his shoulder, teasing this dragon: "Why so fierce?"

The little dragon-person leaned closer: "Only I can look at you."

"Okay, only you can look."