Chapter 107

It's been two days since the truth came out, and I still can't stop thinking about that kiss.

When I leaned in to kiss Sophia, I fully expected her to shove me away. Or worse—slap me. The shock of her letting me kiss her was overwhelming. That shock quickly melted into pure, unadulterated happiness.

I can't believe I spent years denying myself the taste of her lips. They were soft, intoxicating, like a drug I couldn't get enough of. I could spend eternity kissing her and still crave more.

God, I was such a fool. Every time I rejected her during our marriage, I thought I was punishing her. I never realized I was punishing myself. I missed out on so much, and the regret eats at me.

Right now, I'm in my office, but my mind is anywhere but work. I have meetings lined up for the next few days, yet all I can replay in my head is that kiss.

I feel like a damn teenager again. The way she kissed me back—it was like the first time all over again. The rush, the thrill, the way my heart pounded like I'd conquered the world.

"What's got you grinning like an idiot?" Sebastian's voice cuts through my thoughts.

I glance up as he drops into the chair across from my desk.

"Nothing," I mutter, clearing my throat.

"That's definitely something. Let me guess—Sophia?"

I don't answer, but he already knows he's right.

"So? What happened?" he presses, curiosity lighting his eyes.

I debate keeping it to myself, but he's my twin. What's the point in hiding it?

"I kissed her. And she let me," I say, unable to keep the pride out of my voice.

It felt like a goddamn miracle. For those few seconds, she was mine again.

Sebastian grins. "That's progress."

"It was—until she remembered something I said and pushed me away."

The thing about hurting someone is that when you try to fix it, you're fighting against their pain. Their scars. Their memories.

That's what happened with Sophia. My own cruel words came back to haunt us. The pain I caused her resurfaced, reminding her I was the enemy. The one who broke her.

And like any sane person, she told me to leave.

"What did you say to her?"

I don't want to repeat it, but I do. I tell him everything—how Isabella lied, how I stormed to Sophia's house and spat those vile words at her.

When I finish, Sebastian stares at me, expression unreadable.

"You're a selfish, stupid asshole," he says bluntly.

I drag a hand down my face. "Tell me something I don't know."

"I won't bother listing how wrong you were. The fact that you're tearing yourself up says enough."

I don't know how she ever tolerated me. Just thinking about what I put her through makes me sick. It only makes me admire her more—most women wouldn't have lasted a year with me, let alone as long as she did.

"On the bright side, she was receptive. That's gotta mean something, right?" he says after a pause.

I'm about to agree when a terrifying thought hits me.

"What if it's just the hormones?" I rake a hand through my hair. "Pregnancy hormones can mess with libido. What if that's all it was?"

The hope inside me withers. Will I ever get a real chance to fix this? Can I even win her back?

Sebastian shakes his head. "Doubt it. We both know Sophia. If she didn't want it, she wouldn't have let you. Hormones or not."

Before I can respond, the door swings open. Nathan walks in, looking like hell. He collapses into the chair beside Sebastian.

"You look like shit," Sebastian informs him.

Nathan exhales heavily. "Feel like it too."

Ever since we found out Isabella had been hiding a child for eight years, everything's been a mess.

"How are things?" I ask.

"Bad. I can't even look at Isabella right now. Mom gave her an ultimatum—either she builds a relationship with Oliver, or she's cut off."

Sebastian and I exchange stunned glances. I never thought Victoria would threaten to disown her own daughter.

Even when Sophia and I messed up, she never went that far. She and William gave her the cold shoulder, but they never cut ties.

"Seriously?" Sebastian asks.

"Dead serious," Nathan mutters. He rubs his temples. "Anyway, I don't want to talk about it. What were you two discussing before I walked in?"

"Sophia," Sebastian answers.

Nathan's expression darkens, the way it always does when her name comes up. He still carries guilt over how he spoke to her that day.

"Sebastian thinks Ethan might actually have a shot with her," Sebastian says.

Nathan blinks, confused. Then it hits me—he has no idea about my feelings for her.

"Wait—you're pursuing her?" He looks like he's piecing together a puzzle.

"Yeah," I growl. "Got a problem with that?"

Nathan sighs. "No. I'm guessing you have feelings for her?" He shrugs. "Good. She deserves happiness. And we all know you were always her dream."

Sebastian raises a brow. "You're not mad at him?"

I hold my breath. Not that it matters. Even if he were furious, it wouldn't change a damn thing. If being with Sophia costs me his friendship, so be it.

"Why would I be mad?"

"Because of Isabella. You were the one pushing them together."

"Yeah, before I realized he didn't love her anymore. When she came back, something was off. The spark was gone. It was obvious—he was fighting it, but his actions spoke louder than words." He pauses. "It's time we all let go of the past. You, Sophia, Isabella—even Lucas. You've all suffered because of a love that wasn't meant to last. My advice? Don't waste time. Life's too short."

A heavy silence falls over us. His words carry an eerie weight, sending a chill down my spine.

"Since when did you get so wise?" I force a laugh, trying to lighten the mood.

They chuckle, but it's hollow. The tension lingers.

I don't know why, but I have this gut feeling—something bad is coming.

Nathan's right. I'm not wasting another second.

I'm leaving for this trip soon, and the moment I get back, I'm telling Sophia the truth.

It's time she knows how I really feel.