The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 174

Rayna sank to her knees beside Ethan, her whole body trembling as she took in the sight of him. Blood seeped from a gash on his forehead, pooling under him, and his arm lay twisted at an unnatural angle. His breathing was shallow, barely there, and her heart clenched in terror.

"Ethan, please... stay with me. Don't leave me"" she whispered, her voice thick with desperation. Her hands fluttered helplessly over him, afraid to touch, afraid to cause more pain, but unable to pull away.

She fumbled for her phone, her fingers shaking so badly it took three tries to unlock it. She dialed emergency services, her voice coming out in gasps as she gave their location, pleading with them to hurry.

Within minutes, the distant sound of sirens filled the air, but each second stretched endlessly, and she felt as though time was slipping away. "Come on, come on.." she murmured, squeezing his hand as if her grip alone could anchor him to life.

Finally, the ambulance pulled up, its lights flashing red and blue across the dark parking lot. Paramedics rushed out, their faces set in focus as they approached, assessing Ethan quickly. Rayna stepped back just enough to give them room, but she couldn't take her eyes off him.

"We'll take him to Ludus General," one of the paramedics informed her, his tone brisk yet kind. "Are you coming with us?"

Rayna nodded, her voice too choked with fear to respond aloud.

As they attended to Ethan, she hurriedly went in to lock her bakery and picked up her purse before joining them in the ambulance. She clutched her purse in one hand and held onto Ethan's hand with the other. As the doors closed, she glanced at his pale face, and her heart twisted painfully.

Once they were on their way, she pulled out her phone again, scrolling down to find Melvin's number. Her fingers hovered over Evelyn's name, but she hesitated, knowing Evelyn was going through her own troubles. With a deep breath, she pressed Melvin's contact instead.

The line rang, and her heart thumped with every ring. Finally, Melvin picked up. "Rayna?" His voice was filled with curiosity as he wondered why she was calling so late at night.

"Melvin... it's Ethan. He-he's been in an accident," she stammered, swallowing the lump in her throat. "We're on our way to the hospital now. Please... meet us there."

The other end of the line went quiet for a second before Melvin's voice came back, steady but laced with concern. "I'll be there as soon as I can."

She hung up, placed her phone back in her bag, and turned her attention back to Ethan. His face was still, his breathing so faint it was almost undetectable. A tear slipped down her cheek as she gripped his hand even tighter. "Please, Ethan... you have to be strong. Don't... don't leave me. Not like this."

The ambulance pulled up to the hospital, and the paramedics wasted no time getting Ethan out on a stretcher. Rayna followed close behind, her heart racing and her legs wobbling with each step.

to a waiting area as they wheeled Ethan through a

before a police officer approached her, a small notepad in hand, his expression gentle but businesslike. "Miss, we'll need a statement from

who was driving," she began, her voice shaky. "The car... it looked familiar. I noticed it earlier. It was intentional. The car was aiming for me, but Ethan saved me. I saw it before it happened,

briefly, trying to recall every detail. "And I think... I think

officer gave a reassuring nod. "Thank you. We'll ask around for the footage and come back if we

talk to the victim

nodded, barely registering his

she resumed her pacing, her hands twisting nervously as she glanced toward the ER doors every few

her thoughts swirled. Why had

her? Why had he risked himself to save her? The questions echoed in her mind, unanswered, leaving her heart heavy with

stupid deer. If only she had acted fast, Ethan would not have had to throw himself into harm's path for her. "Ethan, please be fine.." she whispered to herself, a new wave of tears stinging her

then, she heard hurried footsteps, and she turned to see Melvin entering the waiting room. "Rayna!" He

tried to explain, fresh tears streaming down her face. "Ethan... he got hurt... because of

pushed me out of the way and got hit by the car. He

her shoulder. "It's okay, Rayna. Ethan

car to keep him down," he

the paramedics said he might have

her into a gentle hug, letting her cry into his shoulder as he rubbed her back soothingly. "He's strong.

than he looks, and he will pull through. I know

words sink in, clinging

parked her car far away from the accident scene but not so far away from her home. She switched off the engine, her fingers trembling as she withdrew the key. Silence engulfed her in the car, but her heart continued to thunder in her chest, each beat a reminder of her foolishness and recklessness. "Stupid," she muttered under

Evelyn and Rayna together, laughing and so carefree in the parking lot, had been the final straw,

the gravity of her mistake settled heavily over her. Who was that idiot who stepped in? Sandra mused angrily, thinking of the stranger who'd thrown himself

she realized her impulsive act

jeopardy. They would trace the car; it was only