Chapter6 Only today did I finally understand . Miles Prescott reached over , giving my cheek a playful pinch . His smile looked easy , but a shadow of sorrow lingered in his eyes . " You've lost so much weight , my little fighter . " When I was a child , an orphan with no one to shield me , the cruel kids at school picked on me relentlessly . But I never backed down . I fought with everything I had , even on my own . Once , I bit a boy so hard on the ear and arm that both bled . Miles had laughed , saying I was like a scrawny stray with claws , small but vicious ' . The memory made me chuckle , but the movement tugged my stitches . Pain ripped through me , stealing my breath . Miles's smile vanished . He caught my hand , brows furrowing . " Your injuries are severe . The kidney rupture was bad . The transplant hasn't fully taken ' -you have to be careful . " My eyes widened . My hand drifted instinctively to my side , where the dull ache pulsed . " A transplant ? Whose ? " He pressed his lips together , his gaze sliding away . I yanked his wrist , dragging him closer . In one swift move , I lifted his sweater . My stomach lurched at the sight of thick bandages swathing his waist . Tears burned instantly . My voice came out broken . " You called me an idiot , but you ' re the fool . You shouldn't have- " He ruffled my hair , smiling gently . " Don't cry , scrappy kitten . You ' ve grown softer now ' . " His tone softened , warm . " I chose this . I ' d do it again . " Meanwhile , at Sterling Estate , Ethan stirred awake in the master bedroom . By instinct , his arm curled tighter around the woman beside him . Sweet perfume filled his senses , and his voice came out low , husky . Chapter6 66.67 % " Vivian ... you changed your shampoo ... " Sloane stiffened . Tears shimmered in her eyes as she turned her face toward him . " Ethan - it's me . ' } ) Her fragile gaze jolted him awake . The tenderness of the moment evaporated in an instant . He rubbed his temples , irritation bubbling up . " Sorry . I don't know what's wrong with me . " Lately , he dreamed of Vivian Hart every night . In the dreams , she stood across the street , her figure cold , her stare stripped of all warmth . He always jolted awake convinced it was an illusion - that she was still there , beside him . But from the moment she disappeared into oncoming traffic , he hadn't seen her again . He had unleashed every resource at his disposal - his men , even old contacts from his past life in the underworld . Still , there was nothing . Vivian Hart had disappeared as if the earth had swallowed her whole . Now , sitting in his office at Sterling Tower , Ethan listened to his men report back with the same useless words . No progress . His rage snapped . He grabbed the porcelain - and - gold ashtray from his desk and hurled it . " Useless trash ! Get out ! " The guards bolted , sweat dripping down their temples . Only Derek Lane lingered , sneering faintly . " Why waste time searching for her , Mr. Sterling ? You already have Miss Quinn . She's gentle , understanding - a thousand times better than that jealous , venomous Vivian Hart . " He smirked . " Besides , after all this time with no trace , maybe she's already dead somewhere , her body picked over by wild animals ' - } ) The black muzzle of a pistol pressed against his forehead . His body locked up , the color draining from his face . Chapter6 66.67 % " Shut . Up . " Ethan's gaze was ice . " Vivian won't die . She promised me she'd be with me for life . " His finger flexed on the trigger . " If I hear you insult her again , your body will be shark bait before nightfall . " " Yes - yes , Mr. Sterling . I won ' t . I swear . " Derek's knees nearly gave out as he stammered , his voice trembling . Chapter6