Chapter 448

The air in the hallway seemed frozen.

The hospital door suddenly swung open. The attending physician removed his surgical mask.

"Doctor!"

Vincent Sullivan stood abruptly, his voice carrying an imperceptible tremor.

"The bullet penetrated the left lung lobe and lodged in the third rib." The doctor wiped sweat from his brow. "The surgery was successful. No major blood vessels were damaged."

He paused before adding, "One more centimeter, and it would have nicked the pulmonary artery."

A chorus of sharp inhales echoed through the corridor.

Vincent suddenly barked out a laugh. "That stubborn brat's got nine lives!"

He braced his hands on his knees to stand. Richard Langley immediately steadied him. Feeling the older man's arm tremble, Richard's expression darkened.

Evelyn Laurent had already explained everything.

That bullet had been aimed directly at her temple.

Ethan Sullivan had taken the fatal shot for her.

The hospital room was so quiet you could hear the IV drip.

Ethan's pallid face showed no trace of color. Only the steady beeping of the heart monitor proved he still lived.

Vincent studied his son for a long moment before turning to Evelyn.

"Evelyn."

She looked up instantly. "Mr. Sullivan."

The older man rubbed his hands together, looking slightly abashed. "That boy's lying here because he saved you."

He cleared his throat. "Don't you think... you should stay to care for him?"

Vincent's ears turned red the moment the words left his mouth.

For once, none of the six Langley brothers objected.

Their gazes lingered on the hospital bed, remembering Ethan's words that day.

He truly had been willing to die for Evelyn.

Evelyn didn't hesitate. "I'll take care of him."