Isabella gritted her teeth and pushed forward, each step a battle against exhaustion. Her breathing turned harsh and uneven. Her legs threatened to buckle, but she refused to give up. She dragged him across the living room and finally reached a guest bedroom on the first floor.

A wave of sheer relief washed over her. She was just about to lower him onto the mattress when her foot suddenly slid out from under her.

“Oh, no!” A shocked cry tore from her lips as she stumbled backward, bracing for a painful impact.

It never came.

Instead, she was enveloped in sudden warmth. Strong arms wrapped tightly around her waist, catching her effortlessly. They held her firmly, preventing her fall.

Dazed, she looked up. Her eyes met Ethan’s. They were no longer shut. No longer unconscious. They were open, clouded with a hazy fog, yet intensely focused on her.

“You’re… awake?” Isabella’s voice came out as a thin, shaky whisper.

Ethan didn’t answer.

He just stared. His deep, unreadable eyes swirled with emotions she couldn't name. They felt heavy. Unspoken.

The raw intensity of his gaze sent a sharp jolt straight to her chest. Her heart began to pound wildly.

Instinct took over. She tried to pull back, to create some distance between them.

“Let me go.” The words were soft, almost a plea. A quiet warning.

But Ethan didn’t release her. His grip only tightened.

Before she could say another word, he leaned his head against her shoulder. The warmth of his breath ghosted across her neck. An involuntary shiver raced down her spine.

“Don’t move.” His voice was a low, rough whisper. It was laced with a tenderness so faint, so fleeting, she wondered if she’d imagined it.

Isabella’s entire body went rigid.

Why this sudden softness? Why now? She didn't understand his motives. She wasn't sure she wanted to.

“Ethan, let me go. I need to go to sleep,” she said, her tone soft yet firm.

He didn’t release her. Instead, he pulled her closer, burying his face deeper into the curve of her shoulder.

His breathing became ragged. His body began to tremble against hers.

Alarm shot through her. “Ethan, what’s wrong?” she demanded, concern sharpening her voice.

He didn’t answer. He just held her tighter.

His breathing grew more labored. The trembling worsened. A fierce heat radiated from his skin, burning hers like a relentless flame.

Isabella, ever perceptive, understood instantly.

Ethan had been drugged.

The color drained from her face.

Her hands clenched into tight fists. Her nails dug sharply into her own palms. The physical pain was nothing compared to the rage and humiliation now flooding her veins.

Zoe!

It had to be her.

How dare she drug Ethan!

Isabella fought to control the fury threatening to consume her. She forced herself to remain calm.

If… if Ethan and Zoe had been together…

No!

She shook her head fiercely, rejecting the thought.

If that had happened, he wouldn’t be like this now.

“Ethan, let me go! We’re going to the hospital,” she commanded, her voice turning to ice.