Chapter 3

Lorraine's whole body trembled as she turned to run, but Elene's sharp eyes caught her immediately. "Ms. Reid?" Elene called out in a sweet voice. "What a coincidence! I didn't expect to see you here. By the way, are you feeling better? I was planning to visit you at the hospital, but lately, I've been—" Before she could finish, her phone rang. She smiled apologetically and stepped aside to answer. Luca's expression turned gloomy instantly. "Were you following me again?" His voice was low, and his gaze was as sharp as a knife. "I told you, Lene and I are just ordinary friends. Stop imagining things." Lorraine looked at the man she had loved for eight years and suddenly laughed. "Luca, listen carefully. I don't care what kind of relationship you have with her," she said softly but clearly. "Just like how you have your cleanliness obsession, I have my own boundaries. "I've respected your habits all these years, but I also hoped you'd respect me. At least be honest with me." His brows furrowed. "What exactly are you trying to say?" Lorraine opened her mouth to speak when a sharp fire alarm suddenly cut through the air. "Fire! Everyone, run!" Panic erupted instantly as thick smoke surged from every direction. Luca and Lorraine were separated by the panicked crowd, and they were now several meters apart. Lorraine struggled to steady herself, trying to move, but someone behind her shoved her hard. She crashed to the ground, hitting the back of her head on the cold marble. Darkness clouded her vision. Agonizing pain shot through her back as countless feet trampled over her. Her ribs felt like they were being crushed, and her palms were mangled and bloodied. She struggled to get up, only to be knocked down again. Through her blurred vision, she saw Luca pushing through the crowd with all his might. For a moment, she thought he was coming to save her. But the next second, he ran straight toward Elene without looking back. "Lene!" She watched helplessly as he cradled Elene in his arms, using his own body to shield her from the crushing crowd. Lorraine lay on the cold floor, staring at their retreating figures with red-rimmed eyes. Her ribs were likely broken, and every breath tasted of blood, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the suffocating agony in her heart. The smoke thickened as the flames bathed the entire mall in a fiery red glow. Lorraine's consciousness gradually blurred until she finally passed out completely. … When she woke up, her entire body stung with pain. "Ms. Reid, you have multiple burns. We need to gather several surgeons for surgery immediately," the doctor said gravely. "Otherwise, there could be permanent disfigurement. At worst, you'll have organ failure." She forced herself to sit up, her voice hoarse. "Book the entire hospital and mobilize all medical resources." The doctors acted quickly, but as she was being wheeled toward the operating room, a commotion erupted at the end of the hallway. "Are you saying the hospital's been reserved for one patient?" The voice made Lorraine freeze. Through the gap in the stretcher, she saw Luca holding the unconscious Elene, confronting the medical staff. "Yes, Mr. Frey. We'll only be serving one critical patient today…" "My girlfriend was in a car accident. She must have surgery today!" Luca's voice was sharp and commanding. "Public hospitals being bought off to concentrate resources on one patient is a serious violation of the law!" He suddenly flashed his business card, the glossy surface catching the light. "Either you operate immediately, or I'll see you in court!" The doctors exchanged uneasy glances. Everyone was aware of his reputation for being an attorney who never lost a case. Five minutes later, Lorraine's surgery was canceled. "I'm sorry, Ms. Reid…" The attending physician stood by her bed, guilt etched on his face. "Mr. Frey said if we refused, he would expose the hospital. Since the number of available surgeons is limited, and your operation requires multiple senior specialists, you'll have to wait until that lady's surgery is completed…" As Lorraine lay on the stretcher, the scorching pain all over her body couldn't compare to the agony of her heart being torn apart. She watched Luca pacing anxiously outside Elene's operating room. He constantly checked his watch, walked back and forth, and even stopped every passing nurse to ask for updates. Even the untouchable ones could fall from their pedestal. But the person he was ever willing to fall for was never her.