Chapter 98

"Ethan Sullivan!" Susan Thompson's scream pierced the air.

She watched in horror as the minivan slammed into Ethan, sending him flying. Her entire body turned to ice.

Even worse, the minivan reversed, preparing to run him over again.

At the critical moment, a black Koenigsegg sped around the corner. The minivan driver immediately accelerated and fled.

Susan staggered toward Ethan's bleeding body, her vision filled with nothing but blinding crimson.

The scene felt eerily familiar.

Just like when Nicole Capra had orchestrated Louis Lynch's hit-and-run.

"Ethan..." Susan dropped to her knees beside him, hands hovering helplessly.

His white shirt was soaked in blood, his face pale as parchment.

"Susan..." Ethan forced his eyes open, managing a weak smile. "Don't cry..."

She bit her lip hard, but tears streamed down uncontrollably.

"The ambulance is coming." Andrew Lucas stood nearby, phone pressed to his ear, his expression dark.

Ethan's breathing grew shallower. He tried lifting his hand, but it fell limply.

Susan immediately caught it, pressing his palm against her cheek.

"Ethan, hold on," she pleaded, voice trembling. "You promised to take me to see the northern lights."

His lashes fluttered. His whisper was barely audible. "Susan... promise me something..."

"Anything!" she blurted without hesitation.

"If I survive..." Each word cost him tremendous effort. "Marry me... okay?"

Her tears splashed onto his face. "Yes! I'll marry you!"

Andrew's fists clenched until his knuckles turned white.

"Really?" A faint light sparked in Ethan's eyes.

"Really!" Susan nodded fiercely. "Once you recover, we'll get married!"

Ethan closed his eyes, contentment softening his features.

"Ethan?" Panic seized her. "Don't fall asleep—please!"

She pressed a kiss to his forehead, but couldn't feel his breath.

"Andrew!" she cried desperately. "Check him!"

Andrew crouched down, fingers shaking as he felt for Ethan's pulse.

"He's still alive," he rasped. "The ambulance is almost here."

Finally, sirens wailed in the distance.

Susan clung to Ethan's hand, vision blurred. "Ethan, do you hear that? Help is coming..."

"You promised to teach me perfumery," she choked out. "You can't break your word..."

"I agreed to marry you. You have to... you have to live to make me your wife."

Andrew stood rigidly nearby, face stormy.

His gaze shifted between Susan's tear-streaked face and his critically injured friend. A boulder seemed to crush his chest.

Paramedics arrived and swiftly loaded Ethan onto a stretcher.

Susan stumbled after them, murmuring, "Ethan, I'll wait... I'll wear a wedding dress for you..."

Her voice faded into silent sobs.

Andrew remained rooted in place, watching the ambulance disappear. His fists remained clenched.

He pulled out his phone and dialed. "Track down that minivan. Now."