Chapter 367

Ethan Sullivan's ears turned crimson instantly. His gaze darted away in flustered panic.

His Adam's apple bobbed. His heart pounded like war drums.

How could this woman say such things without hesitation?

Evelyn Laurent tilted her head with an innocent expression. "Doesn't menstruation count as an injury?"

Ethan drew a sharp breath, his fingertips trembling slightly.

"Yes."

Memories surfaced of a girl fainting from cramps in the ER. A pang of tenderness twisted his chest.

So she endured this too.

Evelyn nodded thoughtfully and continued walking ahead.

An awkward tension lingered in the air.

"This rabbit..." Ethan cleared his throat, grasping for a subject change.

Evelyn crouched and lifted the creature by its scruff, examining it closely.

"It's from the production crew." Her tone was certain. "Wild cottontails aren't this easy to catch."

Ethan froze.

What life had his girl lived to recognize such details at a glance?

"Hold this." Evelyn suddenly shoved the squirming rabbit into his arms.

He fumbled to catch it. The limp body thudded to the ground.

The cottontail thrashed violently—

Its hind legs kicked out in a powerful jerk—

"!"

Warm liquid soaked through his camouflage pants.

Ethan stood rigid, his face turning ashen.

The acrid stench hit his nostrils. He nearly choked on the spot.

"Ethan?" Evelyn called from a short distance away.

Clenching his jaw, he gripped the damp rabbit, statue-still.

A conspicuous wet stain bloomed across his trousers.