Chapter 110

The note had consumed my thoughts for days. I needed to uncover who was behind it—only then could I finally breathe easy again.

This constant fear was suffocating. Even Liam had noticed my jumpiness. Every time he asked, I lied through my teeth, claiming I was fine when I was anything but.

Life had been simpler married to Ethan. Back then, my biggest worries were whether he’d come home for dinner or if he’d ever love me. The heartache had been brutal, but at least it wasn’t life-threatening.

Since the divorce? Chaos. Three attempts on my life—my car exploded, my house burned down, and I’d been kidnapped twice. After letting Damian Slade into my world, I’d hoped for peace. Instead, another shadow loomed over me.

"Mom, can I go to Hunter’s?" Liam’s voice startled me so badly I nearly dropped my coffee.

I forced a steadying breath. See? This is what I mean.

He gave me a weird look, but I ignored it, plastering on a smile. "Sure. Use the back door, okay?"

I stood, following him to ensure he crossed safely to Lucas Montgomery’s house.

"Hunter thinks he’ll beat me at games today. Last time, I crushed him," Liam said, grinning.

"That’s great, sweetheart."

I hadn’t seen Lucas since that awkward kitchen encounter. Was he avoiding me out of embarrassment or hurt? Either way, I’d given him space. The last thing I needed was more tension.

"Bye, Mom!" Liam called as he dashed inside.

Once he was safe, I turned back—just as a knock echoed through the house. My pulse spiked. Please, not another note.

I opened the door to Ethan Blackwood. Shit. I’d forgotten we were supposed to talk. With everything happening, our "chat" had slipped my mind.

"Hey," he murmured, hands shoved in his pockets.

Nervous? That was new.

"Come in," I said, scanning the street. The last thing I needed was a stalker delivering a threat while he was here.

His brow arched. "What?"

"I thought you’d fight me on this."

"Do you want to come in or not?" I snapped.

He stepped inside, and I shut the door fast, paranoia prickling my skin. These days, every shadow felt like a threat.

I sank into my recliner—a recent purchase to ease my aching back. Even my mattress had been replaced.

"So, what’s this about?" I met his gaze. "You made it sound urgent. Is it Liam?"

He exhaled sharply. "No. It’s about us."

I stared. Had he lost his mind? "There is no 'us,' Ethan. You keep forgetting that."

I didn’t have the energy for this. Not now.

"Just listen," he pleaded, voice raw.

Something in his tone made me pause. I bit back my retort and waited.

He struggled for words, the silence stretching. Then—

"I love you."

My jaw dropped. I gaped at him, then reached out to feel his forehead. "Are you high? Sick? Or did I hallucinate?"

He glared but softened instantly, catching my hand and pressing a kiss to my palm. "I don’t know when or how it happened, Sophia. But I love you. I was too blinded by anger to see what I had. These months without you? Hell. Seeing you hurt destroys me. I’m begging you—give me a chance to love you the way you deserved all along."

He dropped to his knees.

This had to be a dream.

"Ethan," I whispered, scrambling for coherence. "You don’t love me. Isabella has your heart. Remember?"

Pain flashed in his eyes. I almost pitied him—maybe he was just confused.

"You’re not listening," he growled, frustration replacing the hurt.

"I am. But how can you love me now? For nine years, you hated me. You broke me, over and over, for 'ruining' your life with Isabella. Now, suddenly, you expect me to believe that’s changed?"

The old ache threatened to resurface, but I shoved it down. No more heartbreak. Not today.

"I regret everything," he whispered hoarsely. "Give me one chance. I’ll spend my life making it up to you."

"Words aren’t enough. You had nine years, Ethan. Nine years of cruelty. Why should I believe you now?"

His shoulders slumped. If my ankles weren’t killing me, I’d be pacing.

Then his gaze hardened with resolve. He cupped my face. "I know you don’t believe me. But I won’t give up. I’ll prove this is real, Sophia—even if it takes forever."

He kissed me, quick and fierce, then left before I could react.

I sat frozen.

He loves me?

Was it true? Or was this another path to devastation?

One thing was certain—whether I believed him or not, the choice might not be mine to make much longer.