Liz looked toward the driver’s seat and was surprised to see Ethan behind the wheel.


    “What a coincidence. I didn’t expect to run into you here,” she said, slightly caught off guard.


    Ethan gave a small smile. “Yeah, what are the chances? Where are you headed?”


    “I twisted my ankle just now. I was about to head to the hospital.”


    “That works out. I’m heading in that direction anyway. Come on, I’ll give you a ride.”


    She hesitated. “Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to trouble you.”


    “It’s no trouble at all. We’re ssmates, aren’t we? And there’s no good ce to park here, so get in first and we’ll talk.”


    After a brief pause, Liz nodded. “Alright. Thank you.”


    She got into the car and buckled her seatbelt. Only then did Ethan start the engine.


    The hospital wasn’t far, just a little over ten minutes away.


    As they pulled up, Liz turned to him. “Thanks again for today. When you’re free, let me treat you to a meal. I still haven’t properly thanked you for what you did back in the Maldives.”


    Ethan smiled. “I’m free anytime.”


    “How about Friday night?” she offered. Her ankle should be better by then, and she wouldn’t have to limp through dinner.


    “Sounds good.”


    They settled on the time. Liz opened the car door and stepped out slowly. “Thanks again.”


    Ethan nced at her swollen ankle, concern shing in his eyes. Without saying anything, he turned off the car and got out.


    “I’ll walk you in.”


    Liz was taken aback. She quickly waved her hand. “No need. I can manage. You probably have work to do.”


    Before she could finish, Ethan had already walked around to her side.


    “Your ankle’s really swollen. It’ll be hard to get medicine or anything on your own.”


    “Okay… thank you.”


    He let out a softugh. “You don’t have to be so polite. I’m free this afternoon anyway. Just think of it as helping me kill time. Here, lean on me.”


    He held out his arm.


    Liz pressed her lips together, then gently rested her hand on his arm. With his support, she slowly made her way toward the outpatient entrance.


    With Ethan beside her, the pain in her ankle felt a little more manageable, and their pace picked up slightly.


    Neither of them noticed the man standing nearby, frozen mid-step with a bag of supplements in hand.


    Jeff hadn’t expected to run into Liz at the hospital.


    But what really caught his eye was the man helping her.


    He narrowed his eyes, raised his phone, and snapped a photo. Then he sent it to Zac.


    Momentster, Zac called.


    “Where did you see her?”


    “Right outside the hospital. Looks like she hurt her ankle. But who’s the guy with her? I don’t think I’ve seen him before. Do you know him?”


    The line went dead without a word.


    Back inside, Ethan helped Liz into a seat in the outpatient lobby, then went to register her. When he returned, he handed her the appointment slip.


    “Orthopedics is on the third floor. I’ll help you up.”


    “Okay.”


    Just as Ethan reached out to steady her, another hand suddenly appeared and blocked him.


    Ethan turned and found himself face-to-face with someone he hadn’t expected.


    Zac.


    Zac didn’t even spare him a nce. His eyes were locked on Liz, his brows furrowed in a deep frown.


    “Liz, who is this guy?”


    He thought with a sneer, “So now she was bringing in other men to y games? She really had some nerve.”


    Liz stared back without expression. “What does it matter to you?”


    Zac’s face darkened. He grabbed her wrist and yanked her up.


    The sudden motion sent a sharp wave of pain through her ankle. Her face tightened, and her brows knitted instinctively.