Chapter 48

Sophia didn't respond to Isabella's words. Instead, she met Ethan's gaze with unsettling calm.

"I'll go inside to put my bag down," she said evenly. "I'll leave immediately and return in three or four hours. You... carry on."

There was no hesitation in her voice, no flicker of emotion on her face. Just cold, detached resolve.

But Ethan sensed something beneath that icy surface—distance, indifference, a quiet desperation to shield herself.

It stirred something primal in him.

Even knowing she had deceived his mother, even knowing she carried another man's child as part of her scheme—he still wanted her.

His expression darkened, jaw tightening as he fought back the fury simmering beneath his skin.

Sophia walked inside, dropped her bag, and counted the meager coins in her pocket. She pulled out five dollars before stepping back out.

This time, she didn’t spare Ethan or Isabella a single glance. The door slammed shut behind her.

Isabella scoffed. "She's probably running off to meet some man again. She does this all the time—"

"Leave."

Isabella froze. "Ethan... what did you just say?"

Not even half an hour ago, he had personally driven her to buy desserts, purchasing every flavor because he didn’t know her preference.

Now, he was dismissing her?

"Go home," Ethan bit out, his voice lethally quiet.

Isabella knew exactly what Ethan was capable of. He had dismantled the entire Blackwood empire without hesitation.

Her hands trembled as she forced a smile. "O-of course, Ethan. Don’t forget to drink the soup. I’ll... I’ll leave now."

She scrambled to her feet and fled.

Only when the elevator doors closed did she dare to breathe again, pressing a hand to her racing heart.

Yet, the more ruthless and unpredictable Ethan became, the deeper her obsession grew.

I will marry you, Ethan Blackwood, she vowed silently. I will give you a child. And Sophia Montgomery—I will make sure you die watching me live the life you could never have.

Sophia, oblivious to Isabella’s venomous thoughts, sat on a park bench, devouring three discounted buns from a nearby stall.

The food was dry, but it dulled the gnawing hunger in her stomach.

The evening air was chilly, but she couldn’t return yet. She refused to be the unwanted third wheel in Ethan’s penthouse.

After sitting in silence for over an hour, she pulled out her phone and dialed a familiar number.

The line crackled with noise before a brusque voice answered.

"Mr. Sterling—"

"Yeah, yeah," Liam interrupted impatiently. "You skipped work again. Relax, they won’t fire a lowly errand girl like you. Now stop bothering me."

The call ended abruptly.

Sophia exhaled, a faint smile touching her lips.

Liam was as rude as ever, but at least he had her back.

Her eyes stung, but she blinked the moisture away.

When she finally returned, the penthouse was dark.

Then his voice cut through the shadows like a blade.

"Come here."