Ethan smoothly avoided her touch. “I’ll find time for us,” he stated, his voice calm and resolute.

Before Sophia could respond, he turned and walked away. His figure blended into the golden sunset, radiating cool detachment.

Sophia’s lips trembled slightly. She dug her nails into her palm, barely feeling the sting. She hadn’t expected things to get so complicated. Isabella was proving to be a persistent problem.

Meanwhile, Isabella stepped out of the golf course. Silence enveloped her. The area was deserted, with no taxis in sight. It felt like a forgotten corner of the world.

Her stomach twisted painfully. The single piece of bread she’d eaten for lunch was long gone. The confrontation with Ethan and Sophia had drained her completely. Her body shook with dizziness and exhaustion.

Thinking about her lost bonus brought a fresh wave of frustration. Her vision blurred. Her legs gave way. Before she could catch herself, she collapsed onto the ground. Hot tears streamed down her cheeks.

What had she done to deserve this? The harshness of her situation left her bewildered.

As Ethan exited the building, he immediately spotted Isabella. Surprise flickered across his stern face. His brows furrowed. “What is she doing now?” he muttered under his breath.

But seeing her pale face and tightly pressed lips, something shifted inside him. An unfamiliar emotion tightened his chest. Almost without thinking, he moved toward her. He found himself standing right before her.

Isabella’s stomach lurched violently. She bent over, retching uncontrollably. A mouthful of stomach acid spilled onto the ground.

Ethan’s frown deepened. The strange feeling in his chest intensified.

He crouched beside her, his expression serious. “Isabella, what’s wrong?” His voice was steady, but a faint hint of concern lay beneath it.

Isabella struggled to lift her head. The world spun around her. Her vision was blurry. She could barely make out Ethan’s face. His features were still perfectly sculpted. But this time, his expression held a softness she didn’t recognize. It confused her.

“Ethan…” Her voice was a shaky whisper.

His heart clenched. Without hesitation, he scooped her into his arms.

The world whirled around Isabella. She found herself cradled in a warm, yet unfamiliar, embrace.

She inhaled deeply. The scent of his cologne mixed with a hint of tobacco filled her senses. It was unmistakably his.

“Ethan, what are you doing?” she asked, trying to squirm free. His grip only tightened.

“Stop moving. We’re going to the hospital,” he commanded, his expression stern, brooking no argument.

Confusion swirled within her. “I don’t want to go to the hospital!” The word alone made her panic. She shoved hard against his chest. “Put me down!”

Ignoring her protests, he placed her firmly in the car. “To the hospital,” he instructed the driver.

“I don’t want to go! Let me out!” Isabella cried, her voice desperate and filled with despair.