Chapter 42

The minty scent of medicinal ointment invaded Sophia's nostrils, making her fingers twitch violently.

She knew this specialized balm all too well. Three years ago, Ethan Roscente would apply it to her bruises every time he lost control.

Her nails dug deep into her palms.

So after leaving her last night, he had gone to Isabella Valentine. All the pent-up desire he hadn't unleashed on her had been taken out on another woman.

"Watch out!"

Stumbling backward, she knocked over an IV stand. The metallic clatter alerted the figures at the end of the hallway.

Ethan was murmuring something to Isabella, who clung to his sleeve with a blissful expression despite her awkward gait.

Sophia spun around.

The world tilted violently. A sharp pain lanced through her abdomen, sending her collapsing forward like a broken marionette.

"Catch her!"

The expected impact never came. She fell into arms that smelled of antiseptic.

In her fading consciousness, she saw Ethan watching coldly, phone still pressed to his ear. His indifferent gaze might as well have been directed at a stranger.

"Mr. Roscente?" Zachary Evans detected the odd pause on the line.

Ethan stared toward the ER. The sight of that slumped figure being carried away inexplicably reminded him of Sophia doubling over in nausea.

"Send the family physician to the apartment," he said abruptly.

Zachary hesitated. "But Miss Valentine already—"

"Sophia." Ethan cut him off. "Tell them it's for a stomach exam."

Sophia jolted awake when the IV bag was still one-third full.

"The baby!" She grabbed Vivian Ashcroft's wrist.

"Easy there!" Vivian steadied her bandaged hand. "Your little bean's fine, but if you keep this up—"

Sophia studied the bruise around her needle mark.

Physical wounds had never been the real agony.

A hollow laugh escaped her. "Perfect. I'll just drink medicine like meals from now on."