Chapter 150
The morning sun streamed through the curtains, casting golden streaks across the bedroom floor. Sophia stretched lazily, her fingers brushing against the empty space beside her.
Ethan had already left.
Again.
She sighed, sitting up and running a hand through her tousled hair. The scent of his cologne lingered faintly on the sheets, a bittersweet reminder of his presence.
Downstairs, Liam was already at the breakfast table, shoveling cereal into his mouth with the enthusiasm only a child could muster. Gabriella, his ever-patient nanny, stood nearby, refilling his juice.
"Morning, Mom!" Liam grinned, milk dribbling down his chin.
Sophia chuckled, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "Morning, sweetheart. Slow down before you choke."
The doorbell rang.
Gabriella moved to answer it, returning moments later with a puzzled expression. "A package for you, ma'am."
Sophia frowned. She hadn’t ordered anything.
The box was small, wrapped in plain brown paper with no return address. A prickle of unease crawled up her spine as she carefully peeled back the tape.
Inside lay a single black rose.
And a note.
"Did you really think it was over?"
Her breath hitched. The handwriting was unmistakable.
Damien Slade.
The phone in her pocket buzzed, startling her. A text from Daniel.
"We need to talk. It’s urgent."
Sophia’s fingers trembled as she typed a reply.
"What’s wrong?"
His response was immediate.
"He’s out."
The world tilted.
Ethan.
He was free.
And he was coming for her.
The weekend had been perfect. Nothing extraordinary happened, but I cherished every moment with Alexander and Eleanor.
They were everything I had ever wished my biological parents could have been—warm, nurturing, and present. Unlike Victoria and William, who had only ever shown affection to Isabella and Nathan.
Even Sebastian and Ethan Blackwood received more kindness from them than I ever did, despite their claims that I was their daughter.
The more time I spent with Alexander and Eleanor, the deeper my love for them grew. The easier it became to accept them as my true parents. Being around them made me understand why Daniel adored them so much—why he spoke of them with such reverence. They were extraordinary, and no one needed convincing of that.
"Where the hell is she?" Natalie snapped, pulling me from my thoughts.
We were at a café, waiting for Scarlett, who, as usual, was late. The woman worked as a secretary, yet she had zero concept of punctuality.
"She’ll be here. Probably just stuck in traffic," I mumbled around a bite of my blueberry muffin.
My pregnancy cravings had officially taken over. Right now, all I wanted were muffins and cupcakes. I ate them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Everything else tasted like cardboard.
"We agreed to meet at two," Natalie grumbled, irritation twisting her elegant features.
I chuckled at her frustration. "You’ll learn quickly that Scarlett is never on time. The sooner you accept it, the less stress you’ll have."
She fumed silently, and I knew why. Natalie hated waiting. She was the type who’d rather arrive an hour early than a minute late.
As she stewed, I devoured another muffin. I was constantly hungry.
With Liam, my first pregnancy had been brutal. No anti-nausea medication worked, and I didn’t get relief until I was six months along.
That’s why Ethan’s abandonment had cut so deep. While I was barely surviving, he was too busy mourning Isabella to care that I was losing weight, that our baby’s health was at risk.
I’d been hospitalized multiple times because my doctor feared for Liam and me.
I understood his grief, but seriously? Did that excuse neglecting his unborn child?
Shoving the bitterness aside, I focused on Natalie. She was tapping her foot impatiently.
"What’s wrong?" I finally asked when the silence became unbearable.
"I have a business proposal for you and Scarlett, but since she’s still not here, I’ll just tell you. It’s driving me crazy," she admitted after a pause.
"Okay…?"
"It’s unconventional. Not the kind of venture people in our social circles usually consider."
That piqued my interest. If Natalie thought it was unconventional, it had to be something bold.
"Go on."
"I want us to start a sex toy company," she announced, dead serious.
I choked on my muffin. Surely, I’d misheard.
"Excuse me?" I sputtered.
"A sex toy company," she repeated. "Think about it. The market is booming. Seventy percent of women own at least one, single or not. Even men are embracing them to spice things up."
I gaped at her, speechless.
"What’s got Sophia so shocked?" Scarlett’s voice cut in as she slid into the seat beside us.
I hadn’t even noticed her arrival. That’s how stunned I was.
She glanced between us. "What did I miss?"
"Natalie just suggested we start a sex toy business," I said weakly.
I expected shock. Instead, Scarlett’s eyes lit up.
"That’s brilliant!" she squealed.
"Are you both insane?" I demanded, but they ignored me.
"It’s genius. What woman doesn’t own at least one?" Natalie challenged.
"Me," I admitted.
They both turned to stare at me like I’d grown a second head.
"You don’t?" Scarlett gasped.
"Nope. Never have."
"You’re missing out," Natalie said bluntly.
I’d considered it once, but my sex life with Ethan hadn’t exactly been… experimental. For him, it was about release. For me, it was about desperately trying to bridge the emotional gap between us.
"I say we do it. Like Natalie said, it’s profitable. We just need a unique angle," Scarlett declared.
"Then it’s settled. I’ll draft a proposal and email you both once I’ve finalized everything," Natalie said, finally looking satisfied.
I sat there, still reeling, as they excitedly brainstormed branding ideas.
What had I just agreed to?