Chapter 295

"Do you have a death wish? My parents are home." Isabella Langley sneered before hanging up.

Her fingertips lingered on the phone screen.

Warren Garten's deep chuckle still echoed in her ears. "Come to my place tonight, Bella. I have a surprise for you."

She bit her lip.

Adrian Valentine could never give her this kind of thrill.

......

On the day of the engagement.

Evelyn Roland sat in the playroom building blocks with her two children.

"Mommy, this is for you." Ethan handed her a red block.

She accepted it with a smile.

Her phone vibrated suddenly.

A message from Victoria Laurent popped up: [Adrian's engagement is canceled. Rumor says he's hospitalized with injuries.]

The block slipped from her fingers.

She shouldn't care.

Yet her heart clenched painfully.

Julian Roscente woke at dawn on the third day.

"Mr. Roscente!" Victor Ashcroft's voice trembled with relief.

He frowned. "Why are the lights off?"

The hospital room fell silent.

Sunlight streamed through the curtains.

Victor waved a shaking hand before Julian's eyes.

No reaction.

"It's broad daylight," Adrian rasped.

Julian's grip tightened on the sheets.

Darkness.

Endless, suffocating darkness.

"Where's Evelyn?" His voice strained.

"She's fine," Victor whispered.

Julian raised a hand to touch the bandages swathing his head.

His fingers brushed cold metal bed rails.

"My eyes—"

For the first time in his life, panic laced his words.