Chapter 81

Sophia Montgomery stood frozen in the doorway.

Ethan Blackwood preferred solitude. Since Sophia usually ate her meals outside, Eleanor Quinton rarely visited.

She never expected to find the housekeeper waiting for her in the dining room with a warm meal.

Eleanor carried a small clay pot into the kitchen, smiling. "This is free-range chicken from the countryside. I've been stewing it all afternoon. It's still hot—perfect for you and the baby."

Sophia's lips curved slightly. "Thank you, Eleanor."

It had been so long since she'd tasted home-cooked food. The rich aroma of the stew made her stomach growl.

She hadn’t realized how hungry she was until now.

Her earlier argument with Benjamin Thornton had left her too agitated to notice.

The meal was comforting, filling the hollow ache inside her. The warmth of the food, combined with Ethan’s unexpected kindness earlier that day, eased the loneliness that had clung to her.

For the first time in weeks, she slept deeply.

The next morning, Sophia hesitated before leaving her room.

Things between her and Ethan had shifted. Before, their indifference had made coexistence simple—no forced smiles, no awkward exchanges.

But now?

She had no idea how to face him.

Still, life went on. She washed up, dressed, and prepared for another day at the hospital and work.

The penthouse was silent.

She glanced around. Empty.

Ethan must have already left.

Despite being the most powerful man at Blackwood Enterprises, he never seemed burdened by his responsibilities.

At Grandview Medical Center, Sophia visited Victoria Blackwood before heading to Montgomery Designs.

With the design director absent and yesterday’s public humiliation still fresh in everyone’s minds, the office was hostile territory.

She spent the day running errands and enduring petty tasks. When yet another colleague "suggested" she visit the construction site, Sophia didn’t call Liam Sterling.

She wasn’t the type to chase after wealthy men, no matter how charming they claimed to be.

Liam could spin pretty words all he wanted.

Sophia had her own principles.

Today, he wasn’t waiting at the bus stop.

The bus was agonizingly slow compared to Liam’s chauffeured car. By the time she returned from the site, she was nearly an hour later than usual.

She assumed she wouldn’t see Ethan tonight.

But the moment she stepped inside, there he was.

"Sophia, you're finally here!" Victoria took her hand. "Ethan’s been waiting. You didn’t buy those clothes yesterday, did you?"

Sophia shook her head. "Work ran late."

"Then go now. Plenty of time to shop. And don’t forget—dinner first." Victoria’s eyes sparkled with insistence.

Even if this motherly affection was part of an act, Sophia couldn’t help but cherish it.

"Rest well, Mom," she murmured before turning to leave.

Outside, she stole a glance at Ethan.

His demeanor toward her had shifted completely. Yesterday, she’d thought it was temporary.

But today?

He still wanted to buy her clothes.

Her chest tightened with something dangerously close to hope.

The car ride was silent.

Ethan wasn’t a talker. Neither was she.

Unlike Liam, who filled every quiet moment with teasing remarks or playful nudges, Ethan exuded calm.

He didn’t look at her. Didn’t acknowledge her.

As if she were invisible.

Her fingers twisted in the fabric of her skirt—until his voice cut through the quiet.

"Mind if I smoke?"

Startled, she nodded. "Of course not."

He rolled down the window, lit a cigarette, and inhaled deeply.

But no smoke escaped his lips.

Sophia blinked. Then she realized—he was exhaling through his nose, the smoke curling out the window in slow, controlled streams.

The motion was effortless. Commanding.

She’d never seen anyone smoke with such quiet dominance.

Heat crept up her neck.

When the scent of tobacco reached her, she coughed lightly.

Ethan immediately stubbed out the cigarette and closed the window.

Nathan Carter’s eyes flicked to the rearview mirror.

Ethan noticed. "Problem?"

"Someone’s following us." Nathan’s military training made him hyperaware.

"Lose them."

The car accelerated onto a deserted road.

Ethan turned to Sophia. His gaze was steady. "Scared?"

She shook her head. "No."

A pause. Then, softly, "I’ve survived worse."

Ethan’s jaw tightened. To Nathan, he said, "Find out who they are. Handle it."

The car stopped on a secluded stretch.

Nathan stepped out.

Through the mirror, Sophia saw two cars behind them. Six men emerged, surrounding Nathan.

Ten minutes later, all six were on the ground.

Nathan slid back into the driver’s seat. "Done."

Ethan nodded. "Let’s go."

Just then—

A bloodied face slammed against Sophia’s window.

She screamed.

Ethan’s arm wrapped around her, pulling her tight against him.