Isabella Valentine lay motionless on the gurney, her face as pale as parchment.

Nurses rushed her toward the emergency room while Theodore Valentine stumbled behind, his voice trembling. "Isabella! Daddy's here!"

Ethan Sullivan remained rooted in place, his dark gaze fixed on the CT scan room.

Victor Sullivan scoffed. "If Isabella hadn't taken that hit for you, you'd be the one on that gurney."

"I never asked her to." Ethan's tone was ice-cold.

Victor's eyes flashed with anger. "You two used to be so close. What changed?" His gaze flickered pointedly toward Sophia Laurent.

Ethan stepped protectively in front of Sophia, his voice dropping dangerously low. "I only take responsibility for one woman in this lifetime. Got a problem with that?"

Victor stormed off, his face livid.

"Sorry." Ethan gently ruffled Sophia's hair, regret shadowing his eyes.

She shook her head, her fingers lightly entwining with his. "I'm fine."

The CT scan revealed only a mild concussion, allowing Sophia to finally exhale in relief.

"Go home and rest." Ethan checked his watch. "I might be late."

Sophia nodded, reminding his assistant to order dinner for him before leaving.

In the dead of night, Sophia jolted awake to find the other side of the bed empty.

The clock's chime at 2 AM cut through the silence like a knife.

Her call to Ethan went straight to voicemail.

Hands shaking, she dialed Natalie Sullivan instead.

"Sophia?" Natalie's sleepy voice sharpened instantly. "Did my brother run back to that scheming ex again?"

After obtaining Alexander Valentine's contact, Sophia finally heard Ethan's voice.

"My phone died." He sounded exhausted. "Isabella hasn't woken up. I can't leave."

Sophia frowned. "Mild concussions don't cause prolonged comas."

As Ethan hung up and returned the phone to Alexander, Victoria Windsor's shrill voice pierced the air. "Ethan, she got hurt protecting you!"

At the hallway's end, two men smoked in heavy silence.

"Rough night." Alexander clapped Ethan's shoulder.

Ethan exhaled a smoke ring, Sophia's worried face haunting his thoughts.

The next evening, Alexander froze at the hospital door upon hearing Isabella complain, "Dad, your hired help nearly killed me!"

"The more authentic the injury, the more guilt the Sullivan men will feel." Theodore's voice dripped with calculation. "This is your ticket back into Ethan's life."

"Don't let my brother find out." Isabella lowered her voice. "He keeps siding with outsiders."

Alexander turned to leave when Isabella added, "Dad...do you think Alexander might not even be a real Valentine?"

His face darkened like storm clouds.

Descending the stairs, he nearly collided with Ethan. "Go home," Alexander said coldly. "She's not dying."