Evelyn collected the medicine, completely unaware that the nurse at the window was Olivia Martinez.

Returning to the room, she began changing Theodore's bandages.

Having done it once before, her movements were more confident this time.

Theodore leaned against the headboard, a gentle smile on his face as he watched her, unable to look away.

Seeing her attend to his injuries with such care filled him with a warm, hopeful feeling.

He was convinced that, in time, Evelyn would see his worth and her heart would soften toward him.

The minutes ticked by slowly.

Evelyn had applied more than half of the ointment when Theodore's expression suddenly contorted. A sharp, stabbing pain erupted from his wound, intensifying rapidly.

Within seconds, the initial searing agony morphed into a deep, throbbing ache that was nearly intolerable.

"Evelyn!" Theodore could no longer suppress a cry. His hand shot out, grabbing her wrist and wrenching the medicine bottle from her grasp.

Startled, Evelyn looked up. Her eyes widened in horror at the sight of his ashen face, now beaded with cold sweat.

Panic seized her. "Theodore! What's wrong?"

Fighting to stay conscious, Theodore's gaze dropped to the bottle in his hand. His fingers shook as he traced the embossed lettering on the unlabeled container. This was not his prescribed medication.

Shock and a wave of bitter betrayal crashed over him.

With a furious roar, he hurled the bottle against the floor. His voice cracked with pain and rage. "Evelyn! Do you want me to die?"

Evelyn stood frozen, her heart hammering against her ribs. Confusion clouded her mind.

She could only watch, helpless, as Theodore's pallor worsened, his features twisting in agony.

It was as if a nest of vipers was writhing inside his wound.

"It wasn't me! I didn't know..." she cried out, reaching a trembling hand toward him.

"Get away from me!" His eyes burned with profound disappointment as he shoved her back, the force catching her off balance.

He had truly believed she cared.

He never imagined she would stoop to poisoning him.

Did her hatred for him run this deep?

Another wave of pain doubled him over.

A torrent of blood gushed from his lips, splattering onto the pristine floor in a horrifying crimson arc.

"Theodore!" Evelyn's voice was a strangled sob of terror.

Hearing the commotion, Daniel Pierce burst into the room. He took in the scene and roughly pushed Evelyn aside.

"What have you done to Mr. Vance?" Daniel demanded, his own face blanching with fear.

Before Evelyn could form a reply, Daniel rushed to Theodore's side, trying to support his shuddering form. "Mr. Vance!"

He spun toward the door and bellowed, "Someone! Get a doctor! Now!"

A moment later, Theodore vomited another great surge of blood before collapsing backward onto the bed, utterly still.

"Mr. Vance!" Daniel shouted, shaking him desperately.

But Theodore was completely unresponsive, lost in a deep, death-like coma.

Evelyn's heart raced uncontrollably. Her face was etched with dread as she stared at Theodore's terrifyingly pale complexion.

Her mind reeled with panic and disbelief.

How could this happen? How could he suddenly vomit blood and fall into a coma?

A deafening ringing filled her ears, and a flush of anxious heat spread across her skin.