Sophia pushed open the hospital room door.
Ian stood at the entrance.
He gave her a gentle smile.
"Don't worry, Sophia. I told you everything would be fine."
He waved the medical report in his hand.
"Ethan's bleeding has stopped. He's out of danger."
Sophia exhaled in relief.
"That's good."
Ian's sharp eyes noticed something.
A faint smile lingered at the corners of Sophia's lips.
She seemed in unusually high spirits.
Apparently, she'd enjoyed Ethan's company.
Ian raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Sophia, do you like Ethan?"
Sophia frowned.
"Of course not."
The words came out automatically.
"We're just friends."
Just friends?
They'd met through a one-night stand.
The deeper their connection grew, the more their souls resonated.
Yet Ethan kept insisting they were only friends.
Sophia refused to read too much into it.
Ian chuckled softly.
"You're so relaxed around him."
"Joking, teasing - you're completely at ease."
He'd known Sophia for years.
Her behavioral changes didn't escape him.
Especially not for a trained psychologist like himself.
Every microexpression on Sophia's face spoke volumes.
Sophia paused.
"People change."
Her voice softened.
"These three years exhausted me. Now I'm finally being myself again."
"Teasing the unattainable is quite entertaining."
Ian shrugged.
"I hope you mean that."
A pang of melancholy hit him.
He'd pursued Sophia before.
Been rejected repeatedly.
Now she discussed Ethan with such ease.
Perhaps she truly saw him as nothing more than a friend.
Ian smiled bitterly to himself.
Isabella came rushing over.
She threw her arms around Sophia.
Tears choked her voice.
"Sophia! You scared me to death!"
Her hands trembled.
"I saw the live broadcast overseas and flew back immediately."
"Thank God you're okay. I should've been here with you."
Sophia patted her head.
"Don't blame yourself."
"Nobody could've predicted that madman's actions."
She studied Isabella's face.
"You must be exhausted from your trip. Get some rest."
Isabella shook her head.
"Seeing you safe is all the rest I need."
She linked arms with Sophia.
"Didn't you want to try extreme sports?"
"I signed you up for short track speed skating - highest prize money."
Always decisive.
She never forgot Sophia's wishes.
"The competition's in a month. Want to scout the competition early?"
Sophia smiled.
"No need, thank you."
Isabella glared.
"No 'thank yous' between best friends!"
As they laughed, Julian arrived at the hospital.
He eyed Isabella.
"Miss Robinson can act cute too?"
Isabella scoffed.
"Only with genuine people."
"With foxes, one must be cunning."
Sophia exchanged glances with Ian.
The tension between the two was palpable.
Sophia intervened.
"Isabella and I should head home."
In the car, Sophia asked curiously.
"What's between you and Julian?"
Isabella shrugged.
"Dad wants us to marry."
"At the blind date, he claimed to be marriage-free. Perfect - so am I!"
Sophia laughed.
"You'd better mean that."
Her best friend's moods changed like the weather.
Today against marriage, tomorrow might sing a different tune.
Isabella vowed solemnly.
"I absolutely mean it!"