Chapter 21

I turned around just in time to see Ethan Winslow standing not far away.

The thermos in his hands clattered to the ground, hot porridge splattering everywhere. His delicate face instantly paled, his lips trembling slightly.

"Ryan..." His voice shook.

I narrowed my eyes, studying him. That wounded expression—was it genuine, or just an act?

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Vivian beside me. She was clearly flustered. Though she quickly regained her composure, that split-second panic was unmistakable.

Interesting.

"What are you doing here?" Vivian asked, forcing calm into her voice.

Ethan's eyes reddened. "You just recovered, so I made some porridge and wanted to bring it to you..." He bit his lip. "When I saw you drive off, I got worried and followed."

He crouched down to clean up the mess, ignoring how his fingers burned red from the heat.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have interfered." His voice cracked. "Ms. Lancaster should be with Ryan."

The way he said it made him sound like some pitiful, abandoned creature.

Vivian frowned slightly, hesitating as if she wanted to say something.

"You two talk," I said, turning to leave.

"Wait!" Vivian grabbed my arm. "I promised to drive you."

Suddenly, Ethan broke into violent coughs, the lid of the thermos rolling away with a clatter.

"I'm fine..." He forced a weak smile, only to clutch his chest and collapse forward.

"Ethan!" Vivian gasped.

I watched coldly. The angle of his fall was calculated—just enough for Vivian to catch him.

Sure enough, she instinctively let go of my arm.

"He has a heart condition!" Vivian panicked as she steadied Ethan, looking up at me with guilt in her eyes. "Ryan, I—"

"Go," I said calmly. "The patient comes first."

Ethan weakly opened his eyes. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to..."

His fingers subtly tightened around the hem of Vivian's coat.

I turned and walked toward my car. In the rearview mirror, Vivian was struggling to support Ethan.

He leaned against her shoulder, glancing in my direction.

That look in his eyes—there wasn’t a trace of weakness left.