Chapter 397

Help Him Dress?

Sophia had never dressed a man before. She hesitated, unsure where to begin.

Alexander stood with his arms raised, waiting. She grabbed the house shirt and carefully slid it over his left arm, then his right. Only the buttons remained.

Buttoning them required closeness—so close she could smell the crisp, clean scent of his shower. Despite the cold weather, he always preferred icy water.

Yet his skin radiated warmth.

Every time her fingertips brushed against him, a jolt of electricity shot through her, making her flinch back. The top buttons were the hardest.

At 6'3", he towered over her. Even on her tiptoes, she struggled.

Then—she lost balance.

Her body collided with his.

His iron-like arms locked around her waist. Instinctively, she pushed against his chest, but his grip only tightened.

Before she could break free, his lips crashed onto hers.

Then—his phone rang.

The sound came from his discarded clothes. A flicker of irritation crossed his face, but he released her to answer.

Sophia seized the chance to escape.

The call was from his father, Richard Blackwood. "Ethan, it's been weeks since you last brought Lily to the manor. Your grandfather, your aunt, and I miss her. Come home this weekend."

His tone was half-pleading, half-demanding.

"Understood." Ethan didn’t refuse.

After hanging up, he glanced at his half-buttoned shirt and smirked. He fixed it himself, pulled on his house pants, and stepped out just as Margaret returned with Lily.

What he had planned for Sophia would have to wait—but not for long.

Tonight, she would repay him for his driving lessons.

Later, after her reward, he mocked her with a dark chuckle. "I must be cursed to marry you. Teaching you to drive day and night, and you’re still hopeless. I have to hold you steady every damn time."

Sophia smacked his chest.

He caught her wrist, wrapped an arm around her, and turned off the lamp with a single command. "Sleep."

The Next Morning

She woke early, dressed in comfortable casual wear, assuming they’d resume driving practice.

But Ethan said, "Not today."

Sophia exhaled in relief. She hated driving. Even if he bought her a car, she couldn’t afford the lifestyle that came with it.

Her priorities were clear:

Find Noah Whitmore.

Visit her mother’s grave.

A luxury car meant nothing to her.

But then Ethan dropped the bombshell. "After breakfast, change. We’re taking Lily to Blackwood Manor."

Sophia froze. "Again? Last time caused enough trouble. Do I really need to go?"

"Don’t you want to meet your in-laws?" he challenged.

She shook her head firmly.

She knew her place.

Even now—married, sharing a bed—she never forgot she was just the mother of his child. His kindness was for Lily, not her.

She had learned young not to crave what wasn’t hers.

Isabella Thornton had taunted her with chocolates she could never have. Sophia never begged.

She wouldn’t start now.

With a cold smile, she said, "Lily visiting her grandparents is enough. I don’t need to go."

Ethan’s grip on her arm turned punishing. "You will go. Dress Lily nicely. Or do you want her father showing up alone every time, as if she has no mother?"

His voice dropped to a lethal whisper. "Last time, she defended your place. Think of her, if not yourself."

Damn her.

After everything—teaching her, claiming her—she still acted like Blackwood Manor was beneath her.

Did she still dream of Liam Sterling? Of Noah?

Sophia’s defiance wavered.

Maybe he was right. For Lily’s sake, she should go.

Swallowing her pride, she murmured, "I’m sorry. I’ll get ready."

For Lily, she would face the lions’ den again.