Chapter 179

The elevator doors slid open, and Sophia Lowell stepped out with an impassive expression.

Her back was ramrod straight, as if nothing had happened.

Only when she reached the company's entrance did her legs suddenly give way, sending her tumbling onto the steps.

She woke two days later.

Ethan Roscente stood by the hospital window, his sharp profile reflected in the glass. He still believed she was throwing a tantrum, deliberately ignoring him.

Those seven days had been a nightmare.

She moved through life mechanically, her soul already gone.

Only now did she realize the darkness of that night had seeped into her bones...

Ethan pulled out his phone to call Zachary Evans, but there was no signal. As he was about to put it away, ragged breathing echoed behind him.

He whirled around, the phone's light illuminating the corner.

Sophia was curled against the elevator wall, trembling like a leaf in the wind.

"Sophia!"

Under the harsh light, her pallid face glistened with sweat. Her nails dug into the wall as if she wanted to claw her way inside.

His chest tightened. He dropped to one knee. "Sophia?"

Only violent shudders answered him.

Beads of sweat rolled off her chin, leaving dark stains on the floor.

"Talk to me!" He reached for her shoulder.

She flinched like she'd been burned, a broken whimper escaping her throat as her fingers twisted in her collar.

Ethan hauled her into his arms.

She thrashed wildly, her pupils dilated, limbs convulsing so violently she nearly broke free.

"It's me." His arms tightened, voice rough. "Ethan's here."

His palm smoothed over her drenched back, repeating like a mantra, "It's okay, Sophia."

The tremors slowly stilled, replaced by a flood of tears.

Finally, her voice returned, fragile and choked. "Scared..."

Like a lost child finding her way home at last.