Ethan Sullivan froze at Shane Prescott's words.

Under normal circumstances, he would have teased him.

But now, he only gave a faint smile. "Remember what you said today. If anything happens to you, these people will be devastated."

Shane nodded, though his heart felt heavy as stone.

He missed the old Ethan—proud and self-assured.

This version of him made his chest ache.

Shane clenched his fists, burying the emotions deep inside.

Ethan lowered his lashes. "The medication's kicking in. I need to rest. You can take the guest room."

Shane forced a grin. "I'm not a child."

Ethan fell asleep as soon as he lay down.

Shane slipped quietly into bed beside him.

In the dead of night, Ethan's nightmares returned.

Shane slid under the covers and wrapped an arm around him. "Don't be afraid."

By dawn, Ethan finally slept peacefully.

Sunlight filtered through the curtains.

When Ethan woke, the room was empty.

He changed into black loungewear and went downstairs.

Shane stood at the kitchen counter, arranging plates while wearing a floral apron.

"Why are you cooking?"

"I sent the housekeeper to buy groceries." Shane pulled out a chair. "Try my cooking."

The table held scallion pancakes, shredded potatoes, and steamed pork buns.

Ethan forced himself to take a few bites. "It's good."

Shane hovered nearby. "Then eat more."

Ethan set down his chopsticks. "Don't antagonize Victor anymore. He has affection for me, but not for you."

Shane frowned. "Don't talk like that. You'll recover."

"About the company—"

"I'm just filling in temporarily." Shane cut him off. "I hate all the fake pleasantries."

Ethan said nothing more.

After breakfast, Shane left.

Ethan took his medication and picked up a psychology book.

He dozed off after a few pages.

In the afternoon, he went to the hospital for therapy.

On the way back, he asked the driver to detour to Phoenix Cove.

Through binoculars, Sophia Laurent stood beneath a hibiscus tree.

The sunset cast a golden glow around her.

Ethan watched for a long time before telling the driver to leave.

A week passed before Sophia could take no more.

She marched straight into Sullivan Group headquarters.

The secretary said the CEO was traveling.

Sophia stormed into Victor Sullivan's office.

Victor's eyes darted nervously. "What brings you here, daughter-in-law?"

"Ethan's been gone for ten days. Every time I ask for a video call, he says he's busy."

"Men are all like that..."

"Where is he?" Sophia demanded, locking eyes with him.

Victor looked away. "His schedule changes constantly."

Sophia suddenly opened her bag.

Victor paled at the sight of a glass bottle inside.

"What are you doing?"

"Tell me the truth, or we both go down."

Victor broke into a sweat. "Don't be rash!"

"Last chance."

Gritting his teeth, Victor relented. "Riverbend Villa, Building Six."

Sophia put away the bottle and pulled out boxes of supplements. "These are for your blood pressure."

Victor wiped his brow. "That bottle—"

"Water mixed with paint." Sophia turned to leave.

"Wait!" Victor pulled a Patek Philippe watch from his safe and pressed it into her hands. "Ethan can't live without you."

After a pause, he added, "I'll give you another 2% of company shares—on the condition you don't divorce him."

Sophia understood.

He was trying to bind her with money.

He feared losing his daughter-in-law.