Protection money

"Who is it?" Emily asked curiously.

"Isabella," Ethan answered honestly.

"Your girlfriend, Isabella?" Emily pouted slightly but remained understanding. "Go ahead and take it."

Ethan answered the call with a teasing grin. "Hello? Is this the one and only, unbelievably adorable Isabella?"

But to his surprise, the voice on the other end sounded distant.

"Ethan, I… Can you come over? I'm not feeling great." Isabella's voice was hoarse, as if she had been crying.

Ethan's brows furrowed. "What happened? No, never mind—where are you? I'm coming right now!"

"I'm at…" Isabella's voice was weak.

"Stay put, I'll be there soon!" Ethan hung up immediately.

"What's wrong?" Emily had noticed the shift in his expression and couldn't help but ask.

"Something's happened to her. I don't know the details yet, but I need to go check on her," Ethan said seriously.