The ambulance sped away from the docks with sirens blaring.

The moment the doors closed, Kyle Grant's tense body finally relaxed.

Doctors immediately began examining his injuries.

He clenched his jaw, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he pressed his right hand against his ribs.

The composure he'd maintained in front of Sophia now completely vanished.

Men always want to appear perfect before the woman they love.

Multiple contusions had become infected and suppurated after seawater exposure.

The most severe injury was fractured ribs, with internal bleeding causing infection.

Surviving the plane crash was already a miracle.

He was the sole survivor.

Adrift on the vast ocean, hunger, pain, and loneliness took turns tormenting him.

What kept him alive was the memory of that gardenia-sweet girl from his past.

Just like thirteen years ago in that terrible fire.

Not even the agony of full-body burns could break him.

During every excruciating skin graft surgery, remembering Sophia's sparkling eyes gave him the strength to endure.

The ambulance raced through the streets.

By the time Sophia arrived, the red surgical lights were already lit.

Ethan Sullivan had arranged for all medical expenses to be covered in advance.

She stood gripping her hands, staring at the operating room doors, nails digging into her palms unconsciously.

A phone call startled her from her trance.

"Aunt Willow, we found Kyle. He's in emergency surgery now."

Dead silence on the other end.

Then came heart-wrenching sobs.

"Really? You're not lying to me?" Willow Grant's voice was fractured.

"I'm at the hospital waiting. Please come quickly."

Thirty minutes later, Willow stumbled into the hospital.

She grabbed Sophia's wrist. "Is my son... still in one piece?"

"All limbs intact. Mostly internal injuries."

Willow stared at the operating room, muttering, "Heaven has eyes..."

Sophia pressed her lips together. "Ethan dispatched over thirty search teams—"

"Hypocritical charity!" Willow sneered, cutting her off.

Sophia's chest heaved. "He organized rescue efforts immediately and prepaid all medical—"

"Then go back to him!" Willow suddenly snapped.

Sophia stared in shock at this stranger wearing her childhood mentor's face.

The gentle Aunt Willow from her memories was gone without a trace.

Suppressing anger, she said, "Kyle saved my life. I would never harm him."

Willow abruptly switched to a sweet tone. "Sophia dear, once Kyle recovers, you two should go to America together—"

"Aunt Willow!" Sophia jerked her hand away. "I only see Kyle as my savior."

Willow's eyes turned icy. "You think you're too good for my son?"

Taking a deep breath, Sophia stood. "I'm going to get food."

Outside, autumn winds swirled fallen leaves.

Sophia mechanically chewed her meal at a restaurant, packing abalone rice for Willow.

She bought three sets of men's clothing and shoes in different sizes at a department store.

Returning to the hospital, she spotted Ethan holding a thermal container in the hallway.

Her eyes brightened as she hurried over. "You—"

"Just finished a meeting." He lifted the container. "Made some soup."

Willow said sarcastically, "Who knows if it's poisoned."

"Aunt Willow!" Sophia's voice rose sharply. "Show some respect to the man who saved your son's life!"

Amusement flickered in Ethan's eyes.

His little lioness defending him was unbearably adorable.