Chapter 2

Vanessa Sullivan was Ethan Gray's wealthy first love from high society.

That girl had been pampered her whole life. She never had to support Ethan's startup by living in a basement for three years eating bread, ruining her stomach, or drinking until she had a bleeding ulcer just to attract investors for him.

All she had to do today, when Ethan had finally made it, was shed a few tears to throw him into complete chaos.

"Ethan... it hurts so much..." I clutched my wound, trying to grab his pant leg.

Ethan took a deep breath and avoided my hand.

He fell silent for a moment, then finally took out his phone with only two percent battery left and dialed the number he knew by heart.

The moment the call connected, his tense voice instantly became gentle and anxious: "Vanessa, did the power go out where you are? Don't be scared. Just stay in the apartment elevator and don't move. I'll figure out a way to come save you right now."

The phone screen's faint glow illuminated his sharp features.

My heart, in that moment, felt hotter than the flames around us, yet instantly fell into an icy abyss.

"Ethan Gray..." I called his name desperately. "I've lost so much blood. I'm going to die..."

He covered the phone's mouthpiece, turned his head, and scolded me with furrowed brows: "Chloe, just hang in there! The building fire caused a massive power outage in the area. Vanessa is trapped in her apartment elevator! She was locked in a basement for three days and nights years ago when she saved me---she has severe claustrophobia! Can you imagine how terrified she must be alone in the dark right now?"

"But... the rebar went through my bone..." My whole body convulsed with pain, tears mixing with blood as they hit the ground.

"Beep---" The phone died completely and went dark.

Ethan irritably shoved his phone in his pocket, took off his designer suit jacket, and roughly pressed it against my wound.

"Ahhh---!" The intense pain made me let out a piercing scream, and my vision went black.

"Stop screaming!" His tone was cold and impatient. "Chloe, you've always been sensible and strong. What's a little pain? You have a strong constitution. You can definitely hold on until the rescue team searches floor by floor. Vanessa's mental state can't handle this kind of trauma. I have to go make sure she's safe."

He stood up, looking down at me from above.

"Ethan Gray." I stared at him intently, using the last of my strength to ask, "What if the rescue team doesn't come and I burn to death?"

His jawline tensed, his eyes completely devoid of warmth: "Are you using these extreme words to force me to give in again? I'm just making the most rational choice. Once I confirm Vanessa is okay, I'll bring people to save you immediately."

With that, he turned without hesitation, his tall figure quickly disappearing into the smoke-filled corridor.

Flames gradually closed in, the surrounding temperature so high it felt like it would melt a person.

I lay on the scorching floor, watching the direction he left, the last bit of warmth in my heart completely burned to ashes.