Chapter 255

The whispers followed them like shadows.

"Those two beauties—mother and daughter—must be the president's lifelong treasures!"

"The boss is feeding us dog food again. Should I even bother with dinner tonight?"

The murmurs weren’t quiet. Some reached Sophia and Ethan’s ears, but Ethan pretended not to hear.

They walked a few steps ahead, the chatter growing louder behind them. Then, Sophia suddenly turned around.

The gossiping employees froze.

That single glance held more power than a thousand spells.

Sophia’s beauty wasn’t just in her delicate features. It was in the quiet strength, the unshakable calm, the way she carried herself—like a storm wrapped in silk.

Her gaze silenced them all.

But she hadn’t turned to scold them.

She wasn’t Ethan’s lover. She wasn’t his wife.

Their relationship was… complicated.

Sophia knew the rumors would never stop. She didn’t care.

What she did care about was whether their heated moment in Ethan’s office had been on display for the entire company.

That damn glass wall.

Except—when she looked back, she didn’t see glass.

She saw a solid wall.

From the outside, Ethan’s office wasn’t transparent at all.

What?

All this time, she’d been terrified their intimacy had been broadcast to the entire floor. But it had been a projection screen the whole time?

Ethan smirked, reading her thoughts. "It’s a holographic display. Not glass."

Sophia’s cheeks burned.

"Even if you wanted to put on a show," he added dryly, "I wouldn’t allow it."

Then he tugged her forward, his strides long and impatient.

Sophia stumbled to keep up. Lily, barely reaching his knee, had to jog beside them, her tiny legs struggling.

Ethan stopped abruptly, scooped Lily into his arms, and kept walking—still gripping Sophia’s wrist.

The picture-perfect family.

The entire company watched, envy thick in the air, as they left Blackwood Enterprises.

Nathan drove them home.

The moment they stepped inside, Margaret, the housekeeper, exhaled in relief. "Madam, you’re back. You shouldn’t overexert yourself."

Sophia didn’t correct her.

What was the point?

She couldn’t fight Ethan. So she’d take it one day at a time.

Maybe she’d even find work in architecture again. Like that man in Ethan’s office had suggested.

Dinner was light—Ethan’s orders. Sophia barely touched hers, but Lily devoured every bite.

As Sophia stood to take Lily upstairs, Ethan caught her wrist.

"What now?" she muttered.

"Eat." He pushed a bowl of seafood chowder toward her.

Then, to her shock, he lifted the spoon to her lips.

Sophia froze.

The soup was perfect—warm, savory, just the right temperature.

For a fleeting second, it felt… domestic. Like they were a real couple.

Then Ethan ruined it.

"You’re too thin," he muttered, fingers brushing her arm. "No meat at all."

Her heart sank.

Right.

He wasn’t being tender. He was fattening her up—like livestock.

She forced down the rest of the soup, then the steamed greens he demanded.

By the end, she was uncomfortably full.

Exhaustion hit hard. She barely made it through Lily’s bedtime story before dozing off.

Lily, still wide awake, giggled and reached for her phone—

Only for Ethan to appear in the doorway.

"Smelly—" Lily caught herself, glancing at Sophia. "Smelly Daddy."

Ethan’s eyebrow twitched.