Sophia's protectiveness toward Kyle was like a thorn piercing Ethan's heart.

His expression remained calm, but turbulent emotions swirled beneath the surface.

"I need a smoke." His voice was icy as he turned away, the hospital door slamming shut behind him.

Sophia didn't notice.

Her mind was consumed by that blood-soaked night thirteen years ago—howling winds, devouring flames, and the anguished screams that still echoed in her ears.

Kyle was the key to unlocking those memories.

Every mention felt like a dull knife carving into her heart.

A tear fell onto the photograph, blurring the image.

It took Sophia a long time to steady herself. Wiping her tears, she stared at the photo, lost in thought: Who was helping her?

She hadn't even told her mother about her injured hand. Only a handful of people knew.

It couldn't be Ethan—he'd never hurt the woman he loved.

"Dr. Evans, do you know Isabella Valentine?" She dialed Julian's number.

"The name sounds familiar," he replied casually. "Why?"

"Her hand was smashed."

"Need me to recommend a doctor?"

"No." She hung up.

Not Julian either.

The figure in the photo was unfamiliar. Quiet by nature, Sophia had few male friends. She couldn't fathom who it might be.

Ethan didn't return until he'd smoked half a pack.

Finding Sophia still staring at the photo, he smoothed her furrowed brow and pulled her into his arms.

The embrace lasted longer than usual.

"You smoked a lot?" She caught the scent of tobacco on him.

"Yeah."

"You worked so hard to quit."

"Okay." He paused. "Earlier... I'm sorry."

Sophia changed the subject. "I'm hungry."

After dinner, Ethan left for the office.

That evening, Natalie burst into the room with an armful of flowers. "Sophia! Why didn't you tell me you were hurt?"

"Didn't want to interrupt your studies."

"I'm practically graduated—I've got nothing but time!" Natalie's eyes flashed with anger at Sophia's bandaged hand. "Who did this?"

Sophia briefly explained the tomb raiders' revenge.

As night fell, Natalie called Ethan. "Bring us bubble tea!"

"I'm at the hospital. Ask the bodyguard."

"I don't see you here?"

"With Isabella."

Natalie exploded. "Sophia's hurt and you're visiting your ex? Get back here now!"

Hanging up, she stomped her foot. "You're too forgiving! Isabella's always been fake—all those saccharine 'Ethan this, Ethan that' moments. Disgusting!"

Sophia's chest ached, though her expression stayed neutral.

"I'll get back at her through her brother!" Natalie scoffed. "Her mom was the other woman—she and Alexander are half-siblings."

"Alexander had it rough. His real sister died young, and his mother lost her mind after. If that girl had lived..." Natalie suddenly stopped.

Sophia forced a smile.

Ethan returned soon after with two cups of bubble tea.

Accepting the mango pomelo sago, Sophia caught a faint sweetness on his sleeve—Isabella's perfume.

A cherry-red lipstick stain marked his collar.

Her heart clenched, but she swallowed the pain. "Thanks for bringing these despite your busy schedule."

"The driver got them." His tone was flat.

Natalie rolled her eyes. "Keep this up and you'll lose her!"

Ethan glanced at Sophia quietly sipping her drink. "Stay out of adult matters."

"You'll regret this!" Natalie fumed.

Ten days later at noon, Ethan returned to find the bodyguard gone.

The hospital bed held a stranger.

"Where's Sophia?" His face darkened.

The nurse answered, "Discharged this morning."

She'd promised to wait for him. Instead, she'd vanished without a word.

Her phone was off. Her messages blocked.

Standing in the empty room, Ethan clenched his fists.