Chapter 47

Daniel Clementson's eyes burned crimson, veins bulging as his iron grip tightened around Sophia Lowell's slender throat.

"Help..." Sophia's face turned ashen, her fingers weakly clawing at his arms.

A nurse shrieked and rushed forward to pull Daniel away. Medical staff flooded the hallway, chaos erupting in seconds.

"Sedative! Now!" the attending physician barked.

Just as the needle grazed Daniel's skin, a shadow darted past.

Thunk—

Ethan Roscente snatched the syringe and plunged it into Daniel's carotid without hesitation.

"Ahhh!" Daniel released Sophia, howling as blood gushed from his neck.

Darkness encroached Sophia's vision. Her knees buckled, sending her collapsing backward.

Instead of meeting cold tile, she landed against a solid chest. The familiar scent of bergamot and sandalwood enveloped her.

"Useless." Ethan's voice could freeze hell itself.

The staff finally sprang into action, restraining the thrashing Daniel.

"You?" Sophia forced her eyes open.

Ethan's gaze locked onto the brutal fingerprints marring her throat. His expression darkened. When his thumb brushed the bruising, the contact sent tremors through her.

"Who else were you expecting?" His laugh held no warmth. "Your deranged boyfriend?"

Sophia trembled with rage but lacked strength to push him away.

Ethan swept her into his arms. "Stop fighting."

Vivian Ashcroft paced the hospital room like a caged tiger. The moment she saw them, she exploded. "Ethan Roscente! What did you do to Sophia?"

She grabbed an IV pole, then froze at the sight of Sophia's injuries.

"What...happened?"