Chapter 153
The morning sun streamed through the curtains, casting golden streaks across the bedroom floor. Sophia stretched beneath the silk sheets, her body still humming from the intensity of last night.
Ethan Blackwood’s side of the bed was empty, but the lingering warmth suggested he hadn’t been gone long.
She exhaled, running a hand through her tousled hair.
Memories of their argument resurfaced—sharp words, accusations, the way his jaw had clenched when she’d thrown his past in his face.
Then, the way he’d silenced her with a kiss that burned hotter than their anger.
A knock at the door startled her.
“Come in,” she called, pulling the sheet higher.
Liam poked his head in, his dark eyes hesitant. “Mom? Are you okay?”
Sophia softened. “I’m fine, sweetheart. Just… thinking.”
He shuffled inside, clutching a sketchbook. “Dad left early. He looked mad.”
She sighed. “We had a disagreement. But it’s nothing for you to worry about.”
Liam frowned, unconvinced. “You always say that.”
Before she could respond, her phone buzzed. A message from Daniel Carter lit up the screen.
We need to talk. It’s urgent.
Her stomach twisted.
Daniel had been a complication she hadn’t anticipated—a man who made her question everything.
And now, with Ethan’s temper already on edge, this couldn’t be worse timing.
Liam tilted his head. “Mom?”
She forced a smile. “Just work stuff. Go get ready for school, okay?”
Once he left, she stared at the message, her thumb hovering over the screen.
A part of her wanted to ignore it.
But the other part—the reckless, curious part—whispered that maybe Daniel held answers she wasn’t ready to face.
Downstairs, the front door slammed.
Ethan was home.
And from the sound of his footsteps, he wasn’t in the mood for more lies.
"For pushing. I keep pushing the issue about Ethan not realizing how much it’s hurting you. I just want you to be happy, and part of me still believes Ethan could be that happiness. You’ve loved him for so long—it’s hard to imagine all of it just disappearing."
"Amelia…" She was on a roll, not giving me a chance to interrupt.
"I want you to have a shot at happiness. You told me you used to wish Ethan would feel something for you. Now that it seems he does, you don’t believe it, and you’re fighting it. I don’t understand."
I sighed. Again?
I was exhausted from hearing about Ethan and his so-called feelings. Every mention grated on my nerves. Ethan had no place in my life anymore, and neither did his emotions. He could take them and shove them where the sun didn’t shine, for all I cared.
"I’ll explain this once, and then I never want to hear about it again," I said, steadying my breath before continuing.
"I loved Ethan. A part of me probably always will. You don’t just get over that kind of love—but it can be poisoned by the actions of the one you love. Ethan hurt me in ways that turned my love into something toxic. A slow-acting poison, eating away at me from the inside. That love became too painful, so to protect what little of myself I had left, I buried it so deep it can never be unearthed again."
My chest ached as I spoke. The love was still there, perhaps, but buried beneath years of his cruelty. The pain he caused outweighed the love I once felt.
He never laid a hand on me, but sometimes I wished he had. Physical wounds heal. The ones inflicted on the heart and soul? Those fester.
"Ethan hurt me in ways I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. Burying that love was the only way I survived the storm that was him."
I heard her quiet sobs. It hurt, but she needed to understand.
"I’m sorry, Sophia. I didn’t mean to dredge up painful memories."
"I know, Amelia. And I know you want me to be happy. But Ethan isn’t the answer. If we were never happy in nine years of marriage, what makes you think we’d be happy now?"
Like I kept telling her, I doubted Ethan felt anything for me except resentment. And even if, by some miracle, he did—too much had happened. There was no going back.
"I’m really sorry. I promise I won’t bring it up again."
I exhaled in relief.
"Thank you. And besides, did you forget? I swore off men. Love isn’t for me. History has proven I have terrible taste." I chuckled.
She let out a small laugh. She’d had a field day when I declared myself done with men.
"Yeah, I remember. I guess the business idea came at the perfect time. Free sex toys for you." This time, her laugh was fuller, and I was glad to pull her out of her melancholy.
"Speaking of which…"
I filled her in on everything we’d discussed with the lawyer—why I had to be a silent partner. Just as I’d expected, she was on board.
"I get it. No problem. I’m sure Natalie will understand too."
"I’ll talk to her later."
"Which reminds me—did you buy from the list we sent you?" she asked after a pause.
"I was planning to go after the meeting with the lawyer."
"Well, get your butt moving. Your feedback is crucial." She paused as someone spoke to her in the background. "I have to go. Impromptu meeting."
"No worries. Have a good day."
"You too. And let me know once you’ve got the toys."
We hung up.
I finished my chores, showered, got ready, and left—straight to the mall. It didn’t take long to get there.
After parking, I headed inside, nerves twisting my stomach. Excited, yet guilty, like I was doing something illicit. Like everyone would judge me for stepping into a sex shop, let alone buying from one.
I followed the directions to Natalie’s favorite store, relieved to find it tucked away in a discreet corner.
I hesitated outside, debating whether to go in—when his unmistakable voice cut through my thoughts.
"Sophia?"
Oh, hell no.
What the hell was he doing here?