Chapter 724

The ICU lights glared harshly white.

Vivian Laurent had kept vigil at Theo's bedside all night. Only when the doctors confirmed his vitals were stable did she drag her exhausted body away.

She froze when pushing open Ethan Roscente's hospital room door.

The man stood fully dressed by the entrance, his long fingers resting on the doorknob.

"Awake?" Vivian instinctively stepped back.

The anxiety in Ethan's eyes dissolved instantly. He seized her wrist. "Where were you?"

"Making rounds." Vivian tried pulling free. "Let go."

"There are monitors in this room." Ethan's gaze sharpened. "You're lying."

The 5 AM hallway stood empty.

Vivian sighed. "I went to see Theo."

"How is he?"

"Stable." She paused. "He'll probably wake tomorrow."

Suddenly Ethan bent and scooped her into his arms.

"What are you doing?" Vivian gasped.

"Sleep." He strode toward the bed. "You look terrible."

She landed gently on the mattress as his strong hand pressed her shoulder.

"I'm not tired."

"Lie down anyway." Ethan pulled up the blanket. "Hungry?"

"Crab roe soup dumplings." Vivian deliberately challenged.

Ethan frowned. "Pick something else."

"I want those."

After a silent moment, he grabbed his coat. "Wait here."

The door clicked shut.

Vivian exhaled, fishing out her phone.

Her pupils constricted the instant the screen lit up.

Dozens of unread messages flashed wildly. Social media notifications skyrocketed.

Her name topped the trending list.