Her hand trembled as she dialed a number from her contacts. It was only then that she realized it was Lucas' number.

She thought about hanging up but hesitated.

Deep inside, two voices clashed.

One urged her to hang up and call the police, while the other pleaded with her to keep the call, to tell Lucas and ask for his help.

They had lived together for a year, surely there were feelings. between them. That voice tempted her to take a gamble, to see if Lucas valued her more than Sophia. The busy signal interrupted her thoughts.

Aveline quickly canceled the 18th floor button and pressed the

button for the 1st floor instead. She couldn't stay in this building any longer!

Meanwhile, at the hospital.

Sophia had just finished her surgery. Seeing Lucas, a smile spread across her face.

"Lucas, I'm so glad you're here with me. I feel safe with you," Sophia said weakly.

Lucas had already arranged for a caregiver, who had just arrived. Hearing her words, he replied, "The caregiver will take care of you now. If you need, I can also contact your family." "No," Sophia immediately refused, "Don't contact them. You know they don't like me. Two years ago, when that incident happened, they didn't even visit me. To them, I'm unimportant." She gave a bitter smile, then quickly looked at him again. "But luckily, I have you."

Lucas pressed his thin lips together, saying nothing.

At that moment, his phone rang. He took it out and saw that it was a call from Aveline.

Sophia noticed the call and her eyes flickered. "Lucas, I think I shouldn't just lie here.".

Lucas' attention shifted to her. "Yes, the doctor said you need to pass gas before you can rest."

Sophia's face turned red, and as she reached out to him, she accidentally knocked his phone out of his hand. The phone fell to the floor and the screen went black.

Lucas instinctively bent down to pick up the phone, but when he tried to turn it on, it wouldn't power up. His brows furrowed deeply.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. Did your phone break? I'll buy you a new one," Sophia said, her face filled with guilt.

Lucas, however, was thinking about why Aveline had called him. He turned to the caregiver. "Can I borrow your phone for a moment?"

"Oh, sure," the caregiver replied, handing him her phone.

Lucas opened the dialer, thinking he didn't know Aveline's number. But a moment later, a string of digits appeared in his mind. He entered them and called. However, an automated voice informed him that the number he dialed was currently on another call.

What was going on?

Was she still trying to call him?

"Lucas?" Sophia's voice interrupted his thoughts.

Lucas said, "Let the caregiver help you. I have something to take

care of. I'm leaving."

Without waiting for her reaction, he left the room.

"Lucas!" Sophia tried to get up, but the movement pulled on her stitches, causing her to gasp in pain.

Lucas didn't look back as he walked away, leaving Sophia with a darkening expression.

Was he going back to Aveline?: owner of this content.

Sophia gripped the bedsheet tightly, her eyes growing colder.

#15 BONUS

When the call was disconnected, the voice shouting in Aveline's mind vanished.

Her face was filled with mockery. How foolish she had been to gamble her safety by making Lucas choose between her and Sophia. What a slap in the face.

She had completely lost all faith in him!