Chapter 91

Sophia couldn't help but smile shyly when Ethan's piercing gaze met hers.

Her smile was genuine, radiating an energy she hadn't felt in years.

Work had gone smoothly today—perhaps because of the high-performance laptop Ethan had given her. Her efficiency had skyrocketed. The design drafts she submitted left the office designers speechless.

They had assumed she was just a delivery girl, someone who barely knew how to operate a computer. Yet, the professionalism of her work and the meticulous annotations accompanying them silenced any doubts.

For the first time, no one dared to belittle her.

Leaving work early, Sophia headed straight to Victoria’s hospital room. As they chatted, she confided in her about Ethan’s recent kindness—not just the beautiful clothes, but the top-tier laptop as well.

Victoria squeezed her hand warmly. "Sophia, I told you. My son is a good man. He may not say much, but he’s deeply responsible. I promise you, he’ll grow to care for you. Do you know why?"

Sophia tilted her head, curious.

Why had Ethan’s attitude toward her shifted so drastically?

Victoria continued, "Ethan has always wished for someone to carry on my passion—someone who loves architectural design as much as I do. If he finds that in a woman, he’ll cherish her."

She paused, her voice softening. "For years, everything he had—his education, his survival—was funded by my design commissions. He knows the value of this craft."

Sophia’s breath hitched.

Now she understood.

When she met Ethan’s eyes again, her gratitude shone through her smile. She was thankful for his kindness, his unexpected warmth, and the opportunities he’d given her.

Ethan, ever the man of few words, simply watched her.

But Sophia had learned—his silence wasn’t coldness.

After half an hour with Victoria, they left together. Outside the hospital, Nathan stood by the car, stomping his feet against the chill.

Sophia dug into her bag and pulled out a tiny hand warmer, barely the size of her palm. She offered it to him with a bright grin. "Here."

Nathan blinked, stunned.

The Sophia before him—cheerful, warm, alive—was nothing like the reserved woman he’d known.

She laughed. "I’ve noticed you always wait outside, never in the car. You’re dedicated, but you should take care of your hands too."

Nathan’s throat tightened.

He wasn’t just a driver. He was Ethan’s most trusted bodyguard, standing guard for a reason. Gloves were a liability in a fight.

Yet no one had ever thought to give him something like this.

Swallowing hard, he opened the car door. "Sir. Madam."

Sophia’s cheeks pinked, but she smiled. "Thank you."

In the car, Ethan worked silently on his laptop. Sophia didn’t disturb him.

But once home, she turned to him. "Are you hungry?"

Ethan arched a brow. "You can cook?"

She nodded eagerly. "Nothing too fancy, but if you’d like, I can make something."

Ethan studied her.

In just days, she’d transformed—brighter, more open. Like sunlight breaking through storm clouds.

"Yes," he said.

Sophia disappeared into the kitchen. Unfamiliar with the space, she kept it simple: tomato egg noodles with shredded shiitake mushrooms. Ten minutes later, she set a steaming bowl before him.

Ethan took a bite, then looked up.

"Good?" she asked hopefully.

He nodded.

She beamed. "The mushrooms add depth."

He ate in silence, finishing the entire bowl. Without a word, Sophia cleared the dishes, scrubbing the kitchen spotless.

Ethan watched, realizing something new about her—she wasn’t just talented. She was diligent, alive in a way he hadn’t expected.

That night, Sophia worked late, sketching designs with renewed vigor.

For the first time in years, hope flickered in her chest.

Ethan’s kindness. Her growing career. The child she carried.

Life hadn’t abandoned her after all.

The Next Day

Sophia woke early, tending to Victoria before heading to work.

At lunch, her phone buzzed.

Isabella’s voice dripped with venom. "Meet me outside the hospital. If you don’t, you’ll regret it."