Chapter 141

The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow across the room. Sophia stretched beneath the silk sheets, her body still humming with the remnants of last night’s passion.

Ethan’s side of the bed was empty, the sheets cool to the touch.

She frowned, sitting up.

The scent of coffee drifted from the kitchen, mingling with the faint sound of hushed voices.

Sophia slipped into her robe and padded barefoot down the hallway.

Ethan stood near the island, his back to her, phone pressed to his ear. His shoulders were tense, his voice low but sharp.

“I don’t care what it takes. Get it done.”

A chill ran down her spine.

He turned, his expression shifting instantly when he saw her. The hardness in his eyes melted into warmth.

“Morning, beautiful.”

She forced a smile. “Who was that?”

“Just business.” He dismissed the question with a wave of his hand, crossing the room to kiss her forehead.

The gesture was tender, but the unease in her stomach lingered.

Liam bounded into the kitchen, his backpack slung over one shoulder. “Mom! Dad! Can we get pancakes today?”

Ethan chuckled, ruffling his son’s hair. “Of course. Whatever you want.”

Sophia watched them, her heart swelling despite the nagging doubt.

Then her phone buzzed.

A message from an unknown number.

You think you know him? Think again.

Her breath hitched.

Ethan glanced over. “Everything okay?”

She quickly locked the screen. “Just Natalie confirming our lunch.”

He nodded, turning back to Liam.

But Sophia’s fingers trembled as she gripped the phone.

Who sent that?

And what did they know?

"What? It's true, and I'm so proud of you!"

Ethan gives me that devilish smirk, and I know he’s got me exactly where he wants me.

"Can I play video games now that I'm a math genius?"

Of course. He’s been buttering me up for this.

I sigh. "Fine. One hour."

Liam bolts up the stairs, shouting "Thank you!" over and over, making me smile despite myself.

"Hey, Gabriella. You can head out," I tell our nanny as I step into the kitchen.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive. Go enjoy your evening."

She flashes me a grateful smile before gathering her things. Fifteen minutes later, she’s gone—and I immediately regret insisting she leave.

With Liam occupied in his room, I’m alone. Too alone. My thoughts spiral unchecked.

I’m just debating whether to start dinner early when the front door swings open.

"Yoohoo! Sophia, where are you?"

Amelia’s voice instantly lifts my mood.

"Kitchen!" I call back.

Seconds later, she strolls in—followed by Natalie.

"Look who I ran into! Perfect timing," Amelia says, hopping onto a stool at the island.

After I’d told Amelia how Natalie defended me against Cassandra, she’d instantly approved. Anyone who stood up for me earned her respect.

"What brings you here?" I ask Natalie.

She grins. "You gave me an inch at the restaurant, so I took a mile. I’ve always wanted to be your friend. So… here I am."

A part of me hesitates, whispering to shut her out. But I silence it. It’s time to stop pushing people away.

"Welcome to my humble abode, then."

Her smile is warm, and I return it, genuinely glad she’s here.

Amelia leans forward. "Okay, but I came for a reason. Have you seen the gossip column? It dropped an hour ago."

"No. Why?"

She hands me her phone. The headline makes my stomach drop.

[Billionaire Ethan Blackwood Spotted on Lunch Date with Ex-Wife Sophia Sterling—Months After Divorce, Weeks After Dating Rumors with Her Sister, Isabella Sterling]

Beneath it: a photo of Ethan guiding me into the restaurant, his hand resting possessively on my lower back.

"Shit," I mutter. "This is going to cause chaos."

Isabella will lose it. I’m not afraid of her, but I don’t need the drama. The photo screams intimacy—something that wasn’t there. To anyone looking, it’d seem like we’re tangled in something more.

"Is there something you’re not telling me?" Amelia asks, while Natalie watches us silently.

"Nothing happened. He showed up unannounced at my appointment, then asked to talk over lunch." I recap everything, including his apology.

By the end, I’m more confused than ever. None of it makes sense, no matter how I twist it.

"What if he’s actually sorry?" Amelia presses.

That question has haunted me since he apologized. I’ve shoved it aside because I’m not ready to face it.

"I don’t know," I admit, defeated. "Forgiveness isn’t free. He hasn’t earned it. All he’s done is leave me with more questions."

How do I move on? For nine years, he made sure I knew he despised me. Now, suddenly, he’s remorseful?

His whiplash-inducing change doesn’t feel real. People don’t transform overnight.

Amelia turns to Natalie. "Thoughts? You’ve been quiet."

Natalie studies me. "I think this is what a man does when he doesn’t realize he’s in love."

I burst out laughing. "Good one, Natalie. Ethan doesn’t love me."

Please. He made that crystal clear when he stormed into my house, defending his precious Isabella.

"Think about it," Natalie insists.

Amelia nods. "She might be right. Why else would he suddenly care? Unless he always did but never knew. And why chase you now that you’re divorced? Maybe losing you forced him to face his feelings."

I refuse to entertain this. Instead of answering, I change the subject. Thankfully, they drop it.

The rest of the evening is perfect. Laughter, easy conversation—Natalie slots seamlessly into our circle.

But despite the joy, their words linger.

Ethan Blackwood, in love with me? Impossible.

They have to be wrong.

Because Ethan has only ever loved one woman.

And her name is Isabella Sterling.