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Chapter 183.
The doctor stood at the foot of the bed, clipboard pressed against his chest like a shield. His eyes flicked between Ethan and Victoria, careful, measured.Victoria’s fingers tightened around Ethan’s hand. Her pulse jumped under his thumb. She suspected the doctor was about to reveal her secret.She cleared her throat. Voice thin. “I’m… I’m tired, Doctor. Can we talk later?”The doctor’s brows lifted slightly. He glanced at Ethan, then back to her.Ethan caught it—the quick look, the hesitation. His head turned slow. Eyes narrowed. He glanced from Victoria’s pale face to the doctor’s guarded expression.“No,” Ethan said. Flat. Final. “You talk now.”Victoria’s breath hitched. She tried to pull her hand free, but Ethan held on. Not rough. Just steady.“Ethan—” she started, her heart pounded. He didn’t look at her. Kept staring at the doctor. “Speak.”The doctor shifted a bit. Opened his mouth. but before he could speak, Victoria started coughing. Sudden. Hard. Wet. Her whole body
Chapter 182
Chapter 182. Hand on the knob. His chest tightened. He could see her through the gap—pale face, closed eyes, tubes snaking from her arm to the IV stand. Machines beeped steady. He stepped in. Closed the door quietly. Pulled the chair close to the bed. Sat. Watched her chest rise and fall. Remorse hit him like a gut punch. He dragged a hand over his face, fingers rough against stubble. Foolish. So damn foolish. He had thought she was betraying him. Hiding phones. Meeting shadows. But here she was—broken because of his world, his enemies. He had dragged her into the fire, and now she burned. "I'm sorry," he whispered again. Voice broke. He leaned forward, elbows on knees. Head bowed. "I should've protected you better. Should've seen it coming." Victoria stirred. A small sound escaped her lips. Her eyelids fluttered. Ethan straightened fast. Reached for her hand. Gentle. His thumb stroked her knuckles. Her eyes opened. Focused on him. Tears welled up instantly. "Ethan..." We
Chapter 181
Ethan stood there—right behind her—arms loose at his sides, face calm as stone.Victoria’s eyes widened. The gun jerked back up for half a second before she forced it down again.“You—” Her voice cracked. “You were supposed to come through the door.”“I changed the plan.” Ethan’s tone was even. Almost gentle. “You need to be more alert, Victoria. If I can slip up behind you that easily, Jack will eat you alive.”Victoria’s shoulders dropped. A long, shaky sigh slipped out of her—like she’d been holding her breath underwater for minutes. The pistol trembled in her hands. She lowered it slowly, barrel pointing at the carpet.The room stayed silent. Too silent.Ethan stepped past her. “I need to use the bathroom. Stay here. Don’t move.”He walked into the attached bathroom and closed the door. The lock clicked.Victoria stood frozen in the middle of the dark bedroom. The Glock felt heavier now. Her pulse still hammered in her ears.She turned toward the vanity again, trying to steady her
Chapter 179
“One of my men just told me something interesting.” Victoria’s stomach dropped but she kept her face still. Her heart pounded as she hoped her secret had not been leaked out. Ethan watched her eyes. Searching. “Jack escaped.” She let out a big sigh of relief she never knew she was holding. Victoria blinked once. “Escaped?” “Three hours ago. He took a pistol and vanished into the scrub.” She swallowed. “How?” “Doesn’t matter how. He’s out. And he’s coming.” Ethan reached inside his jacket. Pulled out a small, matte-black Glock 43. The tiny pistol looked almost delicate in his palm. He glanced around and then pressed it into her hand. Her fingers closed around the grip automatically. Cold metal. Familiar weight. “Hide it,” he said. “Waistband. Small of your back. Easy draw.” Victoria stared at the gun, then at him. “Why are you giving me this?” “Because tonight, when we get home, you’re going to pretend.” With that, they got into the car and drove off. The
Chapter 180.
The black SUV rolled through the capital streets at 6:12 p.m. Rain streaked the tinted windows.Ethan sat in the back, arms crossed, staring straight ahead. Victoria sat beside him. Red dress still on from the night before. Makeup perfect. Expression blank.Neither spoke.The driver didn’t dare look in the rearview.They pulled up to the mansion gates. Iron swung open without a sound.The car stopped at the front steps.Ethan got out first. Didn’t offer a hand.Victoria stepped out behind him. Heels clicked on wet stones.Secret Service agents stiffened when they saw him. They parted without a word. Inside the ballroom, crystal chandeliers threw light across two hundred suits and gowns. The President’s party fundraiser was in full swing. Laughter. Clinking glasses. Fake smiles. Ethan walked straight through the crowd. People stepped aside. Whispers followed him like smoke. He stopped at the center table. The President sat there, flanked by the Party Chairman and three advisors.
Chapter 177.
Ethan pushed the bedroom door open without knocking. The room was quiet. He glanced around. Victoria’s silk robe lay crumpled across the foot of the bed. Her dress from dinner was folded neatly on the chair. He stepped inside and closed the door with his heel. His eyes swept the space once, twice. Bathroom door shut. Water running. He moved fast. He lifted the robe first—nothing underneath. Then the dress—pockets empty. He crouched, checked under the bed, under the mattress edge. His fingers found the hidden compartment in the vanity almost by instinct. It was empty. He straightened, jaw tight. His gaze landed on the nightstand. Her phone sat there, screen dark, charging cable coiled beside it. He picked it up. The lock screen showed the time: 11:47 p.m. He swiped. No passcode. She never bothered with one on this phone. Arrogant. Or maybe she wanted him to look. He opened the messaging app. Nothing unusual. Weather updates. Calendar reminders. A dry-cleaning confirm
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