Chapter 924
Ethan Roscente's private jet touched down at Eudora International Airport as dawn barely broke.
Without even changing his coat, he drove straight to the downtown hospital.
The elevator doors opened to reveal a familiar figure curled up on a bench at the end of the corridor.
Vivian Laurent rested her chin on one hand, eyelids half-closed, her frame noticeably thinner.
Ethan's breath caught.
He'd imagined her thriving abroad. But this exhausted woman bore no resemblance to that mental image.
Adjusting his black baseball cap and surgical mask, he confirmed his disguise before approaching.
Vivian's head suddenly lolled sideways.
Instinctively, he cupped her cheek.
Her lashes fluttered open. The warmth of her skin against his palm made Ethan jerk back as if burned.
"Ethan?"
His Adam's apple bobbed beneath the mask. "You've mistaken me for someone else."
Vivian chuckled softly.
Did this man truly believe this flimsy disguise would work? She'd recognize him even wrapped like a mummy.
"Fine, my mistake," she teased.
Ethan froze. This wasn't the reaction he'd anticipated.
After a pause, he sat beside her.
"Rest your head here if you're tired." The muffled voice couldn't hide his concern.
Vivian turned away. Twelve straight hours of surgery had drained her, and now her eyes burned unexpectedly.
"Why are you here?"
"Finished company business." His evasion was obvious.
She arched an eyebrow. "Theo says you've been working past midnight every day."
"You've been talking to Theo?" His voice brightened noticeably.
"He insisted on video calls," Vivian clarified.
Suddenly, a large hand cradled the back of her head, guiding it firmly to his shoulder.
"Ethan!"
"Stay still." His arm tightened. "Your patients matter, but what about you?"
She struggled briefly before surrendering.
The familiar scent of pine enveloped her. She inhaled discreetly.
"Ethan," she whispered, "do you believe I can save them all?"
Fractured light from the hallway lamps danced across his glasses as silence stretched between them.