I hitched a ride to my "love coach" studio, leaping out like a fugitive on fumes.

Charles waited at the door, gray hair neat, face pale as a ghost—my only anchor in this madhouse novel.

Real world? 

I didn't even have a dad's shadow.

Poor guy must've been freaking out.

Charles stumbles toward me, hands shaky. 

I lunged for a hug—he pushed me back, voice cracking.

"Miss Taylor, Mr. King's tearing this place down!"

"What?!" My gut sank. 

I bolted upstairs, snagging my spare phone to dial.

Alexander's roar blasted through. 

"Sophie, where the hell you been? Hanging up on me?!"

I sucked in air, keeping it smooth. 

"Phone's toast, Mr. King. I'll find Emma—swear it."

"Now!" he barked, all rage and panic. 

"Or you're coughing up double the penalty!" Click.

I gripped the phone, knuckles white, eyes stinging like my escape ticket was ash.

Charles paced, muttering, "Miss, I dug something up. Mandy Lane's back from Paris—Alexander's crew says she's hunting him."

"Mandy? Already?" I frowned, gears grinding.

 The ex who screws everything up—way too early.

"No clue," Charles said, shaking his head. 

"But Emma vanished right after she landed. Smells off."

"Keep looking?" he asked. 

"Your account could eat that fine ten times over."

I bit my lip, shaking my head. 

"It's not the cash, Charles."

Someone's waiting back home—face blurry, tugging my chest.

The system's cold voice sliced in: "Host, five years stuck. Deadline's ticking. Fail, you're trapped forever." 

My throat locked.

Charles straightened, firm. 

"I'll call in backup, but Emma's a ghost this time—no tracks."

"No," I said, spine stiff, "I'll find her. Just back me up."

The receptionist crashed in, tripping hard. 

"Mr. King and Mr. Blackwood outside—they're pissed and want you now!"

My legs wobbled, temples throbbing.

 Both lunatics? Together?

***

I raced down.

Ethan leaned on a black Hummer, cigarette smoke curling, face dark as thunder.

His hand trembled, danger rolling off him. 

"You ran, Sophie," he growled, voice a steel cage.

I licked dry lips, grinning. 

"Just popped home."

He stomped the cig, gray-green gaze slicing me. 

"Get over here."

Alexander rolled down his Cadillac window, tapping the frame, all icy fury. 

"Sophie, with me. Triple pay this time."

Easy pick. 

I grinned at Alexander. "Deal, Mr. King."

Ethan stepped up, a wall of heat and rage.

 "Back with me, and I'll let it slide."

What's his deal?

 I barely know him—Alexander's my exit key.

 But Ethan... why's he obsessed? Emma?

My head spun. 

His face drained gray, glasses fogging, lips bloodless—like he was breaking apart.

"Quiet, Sophie," he rasped, choking.

I blinked. 

I didn't say squat.

"You okay? Need 911?" I grabbed his arm, frowning.

Hotel lobby flashback.

Alexander burned through seven condoms in a night, author's golden boy. 

Ethan's young—some secret disease?

He flung my hand off, clutching his chest, then charged the Cadillac.

He dragged Alexander out, fist flying—weak, but wild.

I gaped, brain blank. 

Alexander kneed Ethan's gut—fists clashed like rabid wolves.

Ethan pinned him to the Hummer, throttling, then took a jaw-cracking hit.

Five minutes later, they split, bloody and panting.

Ethan's glasses hung cracked, lens red, trembling like a broken god.

His eyes locked on mine, raw and deep, slicing my core.

Why's that look tearing me up?

Alexander slumped into his car, wiping blood, snorting. "Sophie, five minutes to sort your crap."

Ethan's gaze burned, throat bobbing, voice low. "I'm not sick, Sophie. I just..." He trailed off, eyes flickering with pain.

"Just what?" I muttered, heart skipping. 

How'd he know I thought he's sick?

He reached for me, knuckles bloody. I flinched—his hand froze, hurt flashing.

"I'm working," I said soft. "We'll talk later, okay?"

"Okay," he whispered, breath steadying.

I turned to go. 

He grabbed my wrist, grip tight, voice heavy. "Sophie, what if we're meant to be?"

I froze, throat dry. "What?" 

Cheesecake sweetness hit me—chestnut curls, a warm hug. With him?

My hazel eyes flared, burning into his.

He forced a bitter smile. 

"You forgot someone big."

He yanked me into his arms, blood and sweat flooding my senses. 

"Remember. If you can't, KingTech can keep climbing. I'd even gift him my company."

"Ethan, what'd I ever do to you?" 

I shoved him, voice cracking with desperation.

His face waxes. Eyes drown. 

"Remember, Sophie. This world's not what you think."