Chapter 212

That ring woven from foxtail grass, the bouquet of wildflowers picked carelessly, those tender words... all just her wishful thinking.

He had only ever used her. Even his life-saving act was a lie...

"Miss Sophia, here's the water."

Zachary's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. She realized her cheeks were wet with tears. Her softened heart hardened again as she tried to wrench her wrist from Ethan's grip. "You feed him."

But the man's fingers tightened. His lips moved faintly beneath closed eyelids. "Sophia... you promised not to leave..."

"Leave?" Sophia scoffed. "Stay and keep being fooled by you?"

Her voice carried clearly, leaving Zachary bewildered. Just moments ago, she'd seemed to relent—how had fetching water changed her mind?

As Sophia struggled, her nails leaving red marks on Ethan's hand, Zachary intervened. "Miss Sophia, Mr. Roscente is unconscious. This is just a reflex. You'll hurt yourself—"

"Reflex?" Her lips curled mockingly. "Right. His reflex is to deceive me."

She snatched the glass from Zachary and flung the water onto Ethan's face.

"..."

Zachary gaped.

No one in the world would dare treat Mr. Roscente like this—except Sophia.

The cold water made Ethan frown. His eyes fluttered open, landing on her icy expression. For a moment, he seemed dazed. "Am I still dreaming?"

The woman who'd walked away so decisively couldn't possibly be here.

"Keep dreaming!" Sophia slammed the pills onto the nightstand. "Take your medicine!"

Only then did Ethan fully wake. "Why are you here?"

"To see if you're dead yet." She shook her trapped wrist. "Now that you're awake, let go!"

Noticing Zachary's pointed look, Ethan caught on. He groaned dramatically, pressing a hand to his forehead and yanking her into his arms. "Sophia, I feel awful..."

"You—!" She tried to push him away, but her palm met scorching skin. She recoiled. "You're burning up!"

"Yes, Miss Sophia," Zachary chimed in. "Without medicine, it could get serious."

Sophia smirked. "Just send him straight to the crematorium."

"..."

Zachary shot his boss a sympathetic glance.

Ethan ignored the jab, nuzzling her cool skin like a spoiled child. "Sophia, you're so cool..."

"Ethan Roscente!" She squirmed, uncomfortable. "If you don't take these pills, you'll fry your brain!"

"No pills." His arms tightened stubbornly. "Holding you is enough."

Zachary discreetly turned away. Mr. Roscente's shamelessness had reached new heights.

With a sigh, Sophia pushed his head back and gestured for Zachary to refill the glass. Gazing down at his fever-flushed face, her tone softened despite herself. "Take the medicine first, okay?"