Chapter 101

Ethan's lips curled into a cold sneer. "Did you really think I'd be here waiting for you?"

Sophia remained silent.

She hadn’t expected him to come.

She just didn’t know how he would react—whether he’d punish her, humiliate her, or worse. After witnessing his ruthless dealings with others days ago, she knew escape was futile. Ethan Blackwood had the power to find her anywhere, anytime.

Unless she planned meticulously.

But she wasn’t running.

Not when Aunt Victoria still needed her.

She would endure. For now.

Ethan’s piercing gaze bore into her. "Playing the innocent victim to gain my trust, only to strike at Isabella? Your acting is flawless. She’s no match for you—her jealousy is transparent, childish even. But you? You’re calculated. Manipulative."

Sophia smiled faintly. "I already confessed everything after the Blackwood family banquet. I told you—I approached Aunt Victoria to get close to you. I carried your child to secure my position. What more is there to explain?"

Ethan’s jaw tightened.

She had confessed. And yet, he’d softened toward her afterward.

After a tense pause, his voice turned icy. "Then you remember my warning?"

Sophia lowered her eyes. "I do."

"Yet you still framed Isabella? Used my influence to threaten her family? Did you think my kindness made you untouchable?"

She didn’t argue.

There was no point.

The way he’d looked at Isabella earlier—protective, possessive—spoke volumes. She was carrying his child. A man like Ethan, who valued family above all, would always choose her.

Sophia had nothing.

No status. No leverage.

The brief warmth between them had been nothing more than a fleeting mood.

She lifted her chin, meeting his gaze calmly. "I won’t make excuses. I was wrong. I’ll leave immediately. I don’t need the clothes, the computer—nothing. But I’ll still visit Aunt Victoria. Our contract stands. I comfort her; you pay me. That’s all."

Her voice didn’t waver. "If my actions today were because I misread your kindness, I won’t repeat the mistake."

Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked into the bedroom. Minutes later, she emerged with a worn snakeskin bag—her few belongings inside.

She didn’t glance back as she stepped into the night.

Ethan stood at the window, watching her disappear into the fog.

She left without hesitation. Without looking back.

It struck him then—how alike they were.

Both capable of warmth.

Both capable of cutting ties without remorse.

Sophia checked into a budget motel, grateful for the one person who’d helped despite his mocking words—Liam Sterling. His loan of three thousand dollars had covered meals for Aunt Victoria and a small heating pad for Nathan.

The night Ethan gave her the computer, she’d ordered something online—a small gift, now en route to his address.

It didn’t matter.

It wasn’t for her anyway.

Without the computer, she couldn’t finish the design drafts she’d promised her colleagues. The next morning, she planned to visit Aunt Victoria early, then rush to work.

But fate had other plans.

Aunt Victoria’s fever had spiked overnight. The ICU’s strict no-visitor policy meant no one had alerted Ethan. After the Blackwood family gathering, her condition had deteriorated rapidly.

"The patient has lost the will to fight," the doctor said quietly.

Sophia’s vision blurred with tears.

She’d known this was coming.

But Aunt Victoria was the only person who’d ever treated her like family.

Sophia stayed by her side, wiping her brow, whispering reassurances—until Ethan arrived.

When the doctor began explaining, she slipped away unnoticed.

Work was a disaster.

She was late.

Her unfinished drafts had stalled the team.

The design department’s stares were venomous.

"Sophia," Linda sneered, "two days of favor went to your head? Skipping work? Missing deadlines?"

Sophia bowed her head. "I’ll start now."

"Too late. The construction site needs grunt work. Go."

She obeyed without protest.

On the bus ride to the site, dread coiled in her stomach.

And then she saw her.

Isabella, smirking triumphantly.

"Sophia," she purred. "I’ve been waiting."