Chapter 389

"Why do you keep bringing it up?"

Seeing Nathan's smirk, Sophia felt even more flustered.

Luckily, despite receiving the generous salary Ethan Blackwood provided, Nathan remained fiercely loyal to his boss's wife. He smoothly changed the subject. "Madam, Mr. Blackwood suggests you take tomorrow off. If you do, he’ll take you for driving practice."

"Um..." Shouldn’t you ask about Julian?

Best not to.

After all, she had nothing to do with Julian Montgomery.

"I’ll rest tomorrow," Sophia replied, glancing at Ethan.

Ethan remained silent, his expression unreadable.

Sophia couldn’t decipher his thoughts. Since he wasn’t speaking, neither did she. It wasn’t until they arrived at the kindergarten to pick up Lily that laughter finally filled the car again.

"Mom," Lily chirped as she climbed in, "Emily’s mom wants to add you on social media. Should I tell her yes?"

Sophia hesitated. She didn’t want to.

Victoria Thompson was the epitome of a nouveau riche socialite—flashy, gossipy, and obsessed with luxury brands.

Besides, hadn’t they clashed before? What was the point now?

Sophia cupped Lily’s face gently. "Sweetheart, Emily’s mom and her friends are part of that wealthy ladies' circle. I don’t have time for daily mahjong games or discussions about designer handbags, so let’s not add her, okay?"

"Okay, Mommy." Lily, ever obedient, never pushed her mother into uncomfortable situations. She understood how hard Sophia worked.

The rest of the ride home was filled with Lily’s animated retelling of her day.

Dinner passed quickly, followed by Ethan’s daily playtime with Lily—a ritual Sophia secretly adored. No matter how ruthless he was in the business world, at home, he transformed into the most devoted father.

A total daughter simp.

Watching them play, Sophia didn’t have the heart to interrupt. Instead, she slipped away for a long, indulgent bath, planning a little self-care session afterward.

But just as she stepped out of the tub, wrapped in a towel with droplets still glistening on her skin, she caught sight of Ethan in the bathroom mirror.

He leaned against the doorframe, watching her with that lazy, predatory gaze.

Sophia’s cheeks burned.

She cleared her throat. "Uh… where’s Lily?"

"Do you even remember you have a daughter?" His voice was low, rough with amusement.

Sophia stiffened. "What’s that supposed to mean?"

"Lately, aside from picking her up, have you considered what she wants? What she enjoys? What’s on her mind?"

Sophia’s jaw tightened.

How dare he—

She always put Lily first. If she hadn’t, who would’ve raised her alone for five years? The only reason she hadn’t been as involved recently was because he monopolized Lily’s attention!

"And why refuse Emily’s mom’s friend request?" he pressed.

"Those women only talk about jewelry and designer bags. I—"

"You’re more qualified to discuss those things than they are."

Sophia opened her mouth to protest, but Ethan closed the distance in two strides and scooped her up effortlessly.

"Ethan! It’s late—what are you—?" Her heart hammered against her ribs.

His mind worked in baffling leaps. One second, they were debating social media etiquette; the next, she was in his arms.

He smirked. "It’s late. What do you think I’m going to do?"

By the time he carried her into the bedroom, Sophia realized Ethan’s thought process wasn’t erratic—it was strategic.

At the office, they’d discussed Julian, then pivoted to her day off. In the bathroom, it was about social circles. Now, behind closed doors, he circled back to Julian.

"Tell me," he murmured, pinning her beneath him. "Who’s better—me or Julian?"

"I… don’t know." She barely knew Julian—how could she compare them?

"Don’t know?" His grin turned dangerous. "Then you’ll have to be punished."

"You—! Fine, you’re better!"

"Better than who?"

"My… my husband is a hundred times better than Julian," she relented, breathless.

Only as sleep claimed her did Sophia grasp Ethan’s true nature—a man who always collected his dues. His silence earlier? Just the calm before the storm.

That night, she slept deeply, dreamlessly.

Until morning.

When she woke, blinking at the velvet-lined box on the nightstand, her breath caught.

Even half-asleep, she recognized the treasures inside—emeralds, rubies, sapphires, pearls, and strands of blood-red coral beads. The collection could buy a small neighborhood.

"Now you’ll have something to show off to those kindergarten moms," Ethan drawled behind her, voice thick with satisfaction.

Sophia was speechless.

The usually composed woman, indifferent to material things, suddenly felt a childish spark of possessiveness. She turned to Ethan, who lounged bare-chested, watching her with lazy amusement.

"Is this your way of bribing me for Lily’s happiness?"

Ethan’s smirk faltered.

She tilted her head, feigning innocence. "So if I… give you more children… do I get a box like this for each one?"

His eyes darkened.

The cool, restrained Sophia was gone—replaced by this teasing, maddening version.

Wordlessly, he flipped her onto her back and claimed her lips in a searing kiss.

Some questions didn’t need answers.

By the time they surfaced again, it was nearly noon.

Blushing, Sophia wriggled free, dressed hastily, and rushed out calling, "Lily?"

Silence.

Their daughter was nowhere in sight.