Felicia urgently needed someone she could trust. Standing before the convenience store's glass window, the metallic taste of blood lingered from biting her tongue. She had to speak slowly; otherwise, her words would be garbled. "I have a job. Be my personal bodyguard. I'll pay you one million dollars. Deal?"

Scarlet's laughter echoed through the phone. "Send me your location."

After hanging up, Felicia sent her location. Scarlet replied instantly: "Okay." She didn't specify when she'd arrive, but Felicia felt assured.

Felicia sighed and bought bread. She walked back to the hospital, retracing her route through the parking lot, remaining on high alert. Nothing unusual occurred.

Back at the hospital, Imogen was still in the delivery room, and Stephan remained unconscious. Two of his men guarded his door. Upon seeing Felicia, they greeted her: "Mrs. Russell."

"Get some rest and eat," Felicia said, handing them the bread and water bottles. Her voice was muffled and strained, but they didn't notice.

After they left, Felicia checked Stephan's pulse. The toxins persisted, but he was stable. She estimated he'd wake by morning, though his eyesight wouldn't recover soon.

Exhausted, Felicia considered finding a more comfortable place to rest, but eventually curled up on a couch near the door. Wrapping the charging cable around her hands, she closed her eyes and slept.

An itch on her face roused her. Stephan was awake, his hand gently caressing her cheek. She was no longer on the couch but in the hospital bed; someone had moved her.

Felicia waved a hand before Stephan's eyes. He caught it immediately. "Stop waving. I'm blind." His pupils were veiled in a grayish haze, his mysterious air now tinged with an enigmatic allure. He could only see vague shapes and shadows.

"Do you regret it?" Felicia asked, trying to sound carefree. "You could have just thrown me out. Wouldn't that have solved everything? Instead, you hurt yourself. How foolish."

Stephan propped himself up, lying next to Felicia. Their bodies touched, close enough to feel each other's warmth, heartbeat, and scent. He traced her face with his fingertips, gently outlining her brows and eyes. "I'll never let you go."

It wasn't a choice. To Stephan, Felicia was more important than life itself.