Sophia's heart trembled as she watched Ethan kneel on one knee.

Bloodstains still marked his tailored trousers, yet he stubbornly held up the diamond ring. Its brilliance under the lights made her eyes sting.

"The floor is cold." She reached to help him up, only noticing his slight tremble when her fingers brushed his arm.

Ethan looked up, fractured light reflecting in his eyes. "Say yes."

Before he could finish, his body swayed violently.

Sophia gasped as his tall frame collapsed toward her. She barely caught him as he lost consciousness, his dead weight sinking into her arms.

The ring clattered to the floor.

"Ethan!" Her voice shook. Her palm met something sticky at the back of his head—dried blood.

His assistant rushed forward. "Mr. Sullivan sustained a head injury in last night's car accident. The doctor warned against emotional strain."

Sophia's fingers turned icy. "Why wasn't I told?"

"There might be... complications," the assistant hedged.

When medics burst in with a stretcher, Sophia still cradled him. She watched them carry him away, the abandoned ring glinting on the floor.

Kyle bent to retrieve it. "Hospital first."

The morgue door gaped open, revealing a disfigured corpse. The absurdity struck Sophia—twelve hours ago, she'd mourned this very body with shattered grief.

Sirens wailed as the ambulance raced through traffic. Sophia clenched the ring, its edges biting into her palm.

Machines beeped steadily in the hospital room. The physician diagnosed temporary unconsciousness. Sophia sat vigil, staring at Ethan's pallid face.

"Miss Laurent, clean up." The assistant offered a warm towel.

Only then did Sophia notice her bloodied clothes and tangled hair. The mirror reflected swollen eyes—a madwoman's visage.

Under the shower's spray, she crumpled to the tiles, sobbing. The water masked her cries, finally unleashing pent-up anguish.

Dusk painted the room when she returned. Ethan lay still, lashes casting delicate shadows. She gently grasped his hand, warmth seeping into her skin.

Exhaustion pulled her under as she slumped against the bed.

In her dream, Ethan stood in a pool of blood, smiling as his form dissolved. She lunged, grasping only air.

"Ethan!" She jolted awake on the cot to find him propped up, concern flooding his gaze.

"Nightmare?" His voice rasped.

Sophia flung herself against him, his solid warmth making her eyes burn. She kissed him, salty tears mingling on their lips.

Ethan stroked her back. "You called for Kyle in your sleep."

She froze.

"You used to do that often." His bitter smile twisted. "Drove me insane with jealousy."

Outside, twilight deepened. Studying his fathomless eyes, understanding dawned. "Post-traumatic stress," she whispered. "At ten, I watched him 'die' before me..."

Ethan's grip tightened. They'd each been healing the other's wounds in silent ways.

"And now?" he asked.

Sophia buried her face in his neck. "The nightmares faded after meeting you."

Darkness enveloped the room as two hearts pressed close. Fate had torn them apart, only to reunite them through life's cruelest twists.