Chapter 43

"How can you still smile?" Vivian Ashcroft's eyes were red-rimmed, her fingers trembling. "I just went to get food, and when I came back, you were in the emergency room. You nearly scared me to death!"

Sophia Lowell weakly curled her lips and gently squeezed Vivian's palm.

Vivian suddenly gripped her hand tighter, her nails digging in. "Sophia, if anything happened to you, I'd tear that bastard who got you pregnant into pieces!"

Sophia knew her best friend was terrified.

She reached up and ruffled Vivian's short hair. "Silly girl, we're both going to live to ninety-nine."

Vivian sniffled.

If she weren't straight, she would've married Sophia long ago. How could someone so wonderful be treated so horribly by that scumbag Ethan Roscente?

"Here, have an orange." Vivian peeled it and handed it over, then suddenly lowered her voice mysteriously. "I got the number of that handsome guy who saved you. Want to thank him properly?"

She waggled her eyebrows. "The refined, gentlemanly type—perfect for you."

Sophia took the orange and nearly choked. "What are you thinking? A simple thank you is enough."

"What a waste!" Vivian dramatically clutched her chest. "That demeanor, that eloquence—he’s clearly the kind who’d treat you right."

Sophia couldn’t help but laugh. "If you like him so much, keep him for yourself."

"Only because you're my best friend..." Vivian suddenly turned serious. "By the way, the doctor said you had a shock. What did you see?"

Sophia's fingers twitched.

Images from before she lost consciousness flashed through her mind. She forced a smile. "Nothing. Just some unpleasant memories."

Vivian looked skeptical but suddenly brightened. "Let me cheer you up!"

"That bastard Daniel Clementson got what he deserved!"

Sophia's head snapped up.

Vivian waved her hands excitedly. "He was kidnapped last night and found this morning in an abandoned warehouse. Tsk tsk..." She made an exaggerated face. "It was brutal."

"Really?" Sophia clenched the bedsheet.

"Absolutely!" Vivian pulled out her phone. "It's all over the news. Apparently..." She dropped her voice. "He was castrated and drugged. Now he's completely out of his mind."

She leaned in. "Do you think... Ethan did this for you?"

Sophia's lashes fluttered.

Remembering Ethan embracing Isabella Valentine last night, she shook her head with a bitter smile. "He wouldn’t bother."

"Whoever did it!" Vivian clapped her hands gleefully. "Justice was served!"

Sophia stared blankly out the window.

Her phone suddenly vibrated.