Chapter 423
"Got it!" Vivian couldn't quite recall where she'd seen those numbers, but there was no time to dwell on it. Her fingers flew over the keypad as she dialed. The call connected instantly.
"Nathaniel, it's me. Can you come get me from X cemetery?"
On the other end, Nathaniel had been frantic since Vivian vanished. He'd nearly stormed the Blackwood estate searching for her. Hearing her voice now sent a jolt of adrenaline through him.
As they spoke, Ethan couldn't take it anymore. He snatched the phone and barked, "Enough! She's injured—get here now!"
That's when Vivian noticed the blood coating Ethan's hands. Her breath hitched. "Blackwood, where—where is all this blood coming from? Are you hurt too?"
"I'm fine." He jerked his hand away.
"Stop lying! You're bleeding everywhere!" Vivian grabbed the phone's flashlight, scanning his body with frantic urgency.
Her stomach dropped when she found the source—his left leg, drenched in blood, the bone clearly dislocated. The wound was gruesome.
"Your leg!" She clapped a hand over her mouth.
How had he carried her all this way in this condition? Every step must have been excruciating, especially with her weight on his back.
"I said I'm fine. Stop looking." He snatched the phone back, his jaw tight. He'd tried to hide it—didn't want her seeing him like this. The vulnerability made his skin crawl.
"This isn't just a sprain—your leg is dislocated! If we don't stabilize it now, you could lose it!" She yanked off her shirt, ready to improvise a bandage.
"Ah!" Pain lanced through her as she moved, reminding her of her own injury.
"You're the one who needs treatment." Ethan staggered forward, gripping her injured leg. He wrapped her shirt around it tightly, securing the makeshift bandage.
"Don't worry about me—you're worse off! You—"
"Shut up and stay still." His voice was rough as he worked, using his limited first-aid knowledge to tend to her. But the metallic scent of blood filled his nostrils, making his vision swim.
"Hey! Blackwood! Don't you dare faint on me now!" Vivian nudged him with her foot, torn between frustration and worry.
Of all times for his blood phobia to kick in!
Yet, her chest tightened remembering how he'd gritted through the pain to carry her to safety.
Why couldn't he just stay cold and distant like usual? Why risk his life for me? What does he want?
Tires screeched in the distance. Liam had arrived, speeding like a madman.
"You two—" His voice cracked at the sight of them—Vivian and Ethan, battered and bleeding on the ground. His heart plummeted.