Sophie heard a noise at the bedroom door, her heart skipped a beat.


    Was it Colby? No, she couldn’t let him see her like this.


    Sophie quickly leaned against the bathroom door, and sure enough, Colby’s voice came from outside.


    “Sophie?” His tone was full of concern.


    Trying to sound casual, she replied, “I have a stomachache. You followed me all the way to the bathroom? Please, just go away.”


    There was a hint of yful annoyance in her voice, but Colby furrowed his brows outside, “Did you eat something badst night?”


    “Yeah… I think so.” Struggling with the difort, Sophie hurriedly said, “Colby, could you please leave for now and get me some painkillers for my stomach?”


    Colby’s tone finally softened. “Okay, just give me a moment.”


    Once he agreed, she sighed in relief. Laboriously, she crawled to the bathtub and sshed cold water on her face, trying to stay alert. But her trembling hands caused the water to soak her entire body.


    Outside, Colby returned quickly. He knocked gently, his voice full of gentleness and care, “I left the meds on the table. Gordon called me to the study, I’ll be back soon.”


    “Okay… go ahead, I’ll be okay.”


    Sophie barely kept her sanity, waiting until she heard Colby’s footsteps fade away before she staggered to open the bathroom door.


    But the next second, her legs gave out from under her, and she copsed. Just as she thought she was going to hit the floor, a pair of strong arms caught her.


    Smelling the familiar scent of tobo, her heart skipped again.


    “Colby…”


    “I’m not that easy to fool.”


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    There was a barely detectable choke in his deep voice as he tightened his grip


    on her arms.


    “Colby… I’m fine, I’ll be fine soon… really


    Sophie repeated over and over, as if saying it would make the pain go away But in reality, she was in so much pain she couldn’t stand. Her entire went pressed down on Colby.


    As Sophie moaned in pain, Colby clenched his fists, the veins on his forehead bulging. He tried to control his emotions and said softly, “Sophie, I’m here


    Holding the nearly delirious Sophie close, he ced her on the bed. Tim here, right here with you.”


    “Don’t go…”


    Her consciousness was already blurring, her face deathly pale, almost devoid of any color.


    Colby held her hand tightly, “I’m here, always here.”


    Seeing him, she managed a weak smile. But soon, the intense pain overwhelmed her, and she couldn’t help but cry out.


    In her mind, a voice kept taunting her, convincing her that just a little of the powder, just a bit, would take the pain away.


    The thought was even stronger than before, she couldn’t control her desire to knock herself unconscious to escape the pain.


    “Sophie!”


    Colby blocked her head from hitting the wall with his hand, but she had already lost consciousness, biting down on his arm, almost tearing his flesh.


    He just grunted without withdrawing his hand. If he pulled away now, she might bite through her own tongue.


    “What’s happening? What’s going on?”


    Downstairs, Adler and Jenna heard themotion from upstairs.N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content.