Chapter 6

Vivian POV

Before he finished speaking, Ethan's figure had already rushed out. The door was pushed open then slammed shut.

I raised my hand to wipe my face, forcibly pushing down all the bitterness and grievance.

I tried hard to calm my emotions, telling myself it was just like being bitten.

Then, having barely managed to make myself presentable, a burning smell grew stronger and stronger in my nostrils.

Realizing something, my face changed drastically. I jerked my head up.

Thick smoke was seeping continuously under the door.

My heart tightened. I could no longer care about my body's pain and stumbled toward the door, yanking it open.

But the scene outside made my face go white with terror.

The hallway was already a sea of flames. Heat waves and thick black smoke hit me in the face, making me cough violently and tears stream down.

"Cough cough... help! Is anyone there... cough cough cough!"

I covered my nose and mouth, calling for help. Through the rolling smoke and flames, I caught sight of a familiar tall figure at the end of the hallway.

Like grasping at a lifeline, I instinctively called out to that retreating back.

"Ethan... Ethan! Save..."

Before I could finish, I saw more clearly. He was carrying a woman in his arms.

That woman. Who else could it be but Fiona?

And Ethan, holding Fiona, disappeared at the end of the hallway through the flames and smoke without looking back.

I froze, suddenly feeling cold from head to toe.

I could hardly believe that the man who had just been on top of me taking everything he wanted was now carrying another woman away, forgetting me completely.

This was what he called loving me too much?

How ironic. How laughable.

I wanted to laugh but couldn't make a sound. The instinct to survive took over everything else.

I couldn't die here. Absolutely not!

I quickly reacted, turned back to find a blanket, soaked it in water and wrapped it around myself. But just as I was about to rush out the door, a burning beam crashed down, hitting me square in the back.

I stumbled and fell to the ground. I'd inhaled too much smoke through my nose and mouth, and my consciousness gradually blurred until my vision went completely black.

I don't know how long passed before I opened my eyes again to hear a nurse asking,

"You're awake? How do you feel? Any dizziness or nausea?"

My throat was terribly hoarse.

"Water..."

The nurse quickly poured a cup of warm water and carefully helped me drink a few sips.

The warm water soothed my dry, painful throat, easing the discomfort slightly.

Just then, my phone on the bedside table rang.

I looked at the caller ID, my expression completely blank, picked up the phone, and answered, bringing it to my ear.

"Vivian Hayes!"

On the other end, Ethan's angry voice demanded,

"Where did you run off to? Why haven't you come home all night?"

I pulled my lips into a faint smile, my voice hoarse.

"If I had died in last night's fire, you probably wouldn't have known. Whether I come home or not probably doesn't matter to you anyway, does it?"

Ethan paused for two seconds.

"What do you mean by that?"

I didn't want to answer him anymore. I simply hung up.

Then I looked up at the nurse.

"I want to process my discharge."

"Uh, in your condition, it's better to stay for observation for two more days..."

"I'm fine now."

I shook my head, my attitude firm.

"Please help me with the paperwork. Thank you."

Ever since my parents died, I'd been especially averse to hospitals because places like this brought back too many painful memories.

Besides, my injuries weren't particularly severe. There was no need to stay hospitalized.

The nurse had no choice but to process my discharge.

Walking out of the hospital entrance, I was about to hail a cab when a familiar black car screeched to a stop in front of me.

Ethan pushed open the car door and pulled me into his arms.

His remorseful, guilty voice filled my ear.

"Vivian, I'm sorry. I had an emergency last night and had to leave. I only just found out you were trapped in that fire and were rescued by a passerby and sent to the hospital."

Smelling the unfamiliar perfume on him, the scene of him carrying Fiona out of the fire flashed through my mind again. Nausea and coldness rose from the pit of my stomach.

"Don't come near me!"

I pushed him away.

Ethan looked taken aback, frowning at me.

"Vivian, are you mad at me?"

I was about to speak."Stop being angry. Last night was my fault. Let me make it up to you, okay?"

He spoke first, trying to placate me.

"Didn't you say you haven't been horseback riding in a while? Tomorrow I'll cancel all my work and take you to the stables, okay?"