CHAPTER 118: CHAPTER 118: LOSING COMPOSURE

When Sophia Lowell woke up, it was already eight o’clock in the evening.

Her whole body ached, as if she’d been run over by a truck again and again.

She’d fallen down the stairs, and then been dragged down by someone—the bones in her body felt completely scattered.

She swallowed her parched throat, blinking her tear-dried eyes, her face feeling stiff and even her breath burning hot.

She tried her best to get up and find something to drink, but her legs were still trembling, the fear from being abducted still lingering in her heart, refusing to dissipate.

There was nobody in the VIP room, so she pressed the call bell.

Soon, a young nurse walked in, checking her IV and asking, "You’re awake. Your boyfriend went out, he should be back soon. Do you want to use the bathroom or...?"

Boyfriend?

She must have mistaken Faye Ellison for her boyfriend.

"He’s not my boyfriend. I’m married."

"Oh, so he’s your husband!"

"He’s not my husband." Just as Sophia finished speaking, the door opened.

Faye Ellison walked in.

"You’re awake." His voice was low, with that compelling masculine magnetism.

The nurse left the room.

Sophia’s gaze landed on Faye as he came in. She sat up slightly. "Thank you."

"Don’t move." Faye walked to the side of the bed and raised the bed for her.

Much more comfortable now.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, handing her a bottle of water.

"Dizzy, aching all over, hungry." Sophia answered.

"Heh..." He laughed softly, "That’s normal. I’ve already gotten you some food, you’ll feel better after you eat."

"Thank you, Faye." Sophia felt considerably better, cautiously lifting the blanket, "..."

The moment she lifted the blanket, she immediately covered herself up again.

She realized she was wearing a hospital gown, with nothing underneath.

Usually she wore high-collared shirts to hide the marks Zane Sterling left on her during his outbursts, but now, everything had been exposed for others to see.

Even though she was married and it was normal, it was still truly awkward for others to witness.

"Could you... could you step out and come back in later?" She clutched the blanket, pursing her lips, not knowing what expression she should wear.

Faye glanced over; he had indeed seen something—when rescuing her, he practically couldn’t take his eyes off her.

But the nurses had changed her clothes.

"Alright, you can change your clothes meanwhile. The doctor said you’re fine— you’ll be discharged tomorrow." He placed the new set of clothes he’d brought by the bed. "Both new and old phones are here. I didn’t touch them."

"Okay, thank you." she said.

Before leaving, he pulled the curtain shut, placed her food on the bedside table, and left the ward.

Sophia let out a long sigh of relief, grabbing her clothes and heading to the bathroom to change.

Faye had someone prepare them just the way Sophia liked—inside, it was still high-collared, making Sophia blush.

Faye must have seen everything.

She changed, placed the food on the rolling tray, took a couple bites, and switched out her phone SIM card as she ate.

Just as she powered on her phone, she saw over a dozen missed calls from Zane Sterling, a slew of WhatsApp messages, and several calls from Zoe Walsh.

And a few unfamiliar numbers, all the same.

Those unfamiliar calls came right after Sophia was rescued, after she’d called Henry Quinn—she’d blocked Henry’s number, so it had to be him calling from others’ phones.

She curled her lips in a smirk—how ironic.

When that young man sent Henry Quinn the photo, Henry didn’t hesitate to wire a million into the welfare institute.

His love really was undying.

Too bad, Sophia didn’t love him anymore. She didn’t need it.

Filthy stuff, whoever wants it can have it!

Thinking this, she hurried to call her husband.

He picked up instantly.

[Sophia, where are you?]

[I’m at the hospital...] she replied, her voice exhausted.

[Which part of the hospital? I’ll find you right now!]

Hearing his anxious tone on the other end, Sophia didn’t know how to describe her feelings.

Such a CEO, always decisive and dominating, but suddenly utterly at a loss.

[I’m in the ward next to Beau Morgan.] she said.

Zane Sterling’s eyes darkened—she was in a ward?

Why a hospital room?

He hung up, then rushed over immediately.

Knock, knock, knock—

Three knocks came, and the door opened.

It was Faye Ellison who came in.

"Faye." She greeted him while eating, "Where did you get the food? It’s delicious." She licked her lips with her tongue.

Faye stared at her rosy lips, swallowed, put a boba milk tea nearby, and finally spoke with nonchalance, "My mom made it. You used to love braised eggplant—she remembered."

Sophia didn’t react to his words, instead her attention was on the milk tea, "Is that mine?"

"Yeah, I was out and saw it, so I bought it." He sat in the chair nearby, starting to peel an apple.

"A life-saving debt—never forgotten!" Sophia pursed her lips and kept eating.

He smiled lightly, saying nothing more.

By the time Zane Sterling arrived, Sophia had just finished eating; Faye was cleaning up the table.

Seeing rice lingering at the corner of her mouth, Faye naturally reached out, wiping it away with his finger.

Sophia tilted her head to dodge, but didn’t make it in time. She pursed her lips and thanked him.

Zane’s deep gaze turned icy cold in an instant.

Apparently Sophia had quite a few admirers, and now he thoroughly understood where that jealousy was coming from.

Sometimes only outsiders can truly see through someone’s feelings.

Just like how he treated Beau Morgan—it always seemed like what every man would do—but to women, it was a different story altogether.

Now, Zane could tell from Faye’s eyes—the look a man gives a woman, full of desire, not simple concern.

He was the man Sophia enjoyed talking with most; last time she had a fever, he’d been the one to take her to the hospital, and now it was him again. Zane’s sense of crisis soared instantly.

Faye felt Zane’s cold glare—he’d already noticed Zane arrive out of the corner of his eye, but chose to ignore him, acting even more nonchalant and reckless.

"You’re here." Sophia saw Zane Sterling and her mood obviously improved.

Faye made room for him: "Mr. Sterling, finally here."

Zane forced out two words: "Thank you."

Faye smiled, tossed out "I’ve got something to do," and left, showing no intention of interacting with Zane at all.

Sophia awkwardly nodded, without stopping him.

Zane sat by the bed and held her hand, still reeling from shock.

Sophia told him everything that had happened, leaving nothing out.

Once sure she was alright, Zane’s expression turned icy cold.