Chapter 177

The morning sun cast golden streaks across the bedroom as Sophia stirred beneath the silk sheets.

Her phone buzzed insistently on the nightstand.

She reached for it, squinting at the screen.

A message from Daniel.

Her breath hitched.

"We need to talk. Meet me at the café near the precinct at noon."

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard.

What could he want now?

She exhaled sharply and typed a quick reply.

"Fine. Noon."

The weight of uncertainty settled in her chest.

Downstairs, Liam was already at the breakfast table, shoveling cereal into his mouth with the enthusiasm only a child could muster.

"Morning, Mom!" he chirped, milk dribbling down his chin.

She smiled despite herself, grabbing a napkin to wipe his face.

"Slow down, sweetheart. You’ll choke."

Ethan stood by the counter, pouring coffee into a travel mug.

His gaze flicked to her, unreadable.

"Going somewhere?" she asked, trying to sound casual.

"Meeting with a client," he replied curtly.

The tension between them was thick enough to cut with a knife.

She bit her lip, debating whether to say more.

But he was already striding toward the door.

"See you tonight," he muttered before disappearing into the garage.

The silence that followed was deafening.

Liam, oblivious, slurped the last of his milk.

"Can Jacob come over after school?"

Sophia forced a smile.

"Of course, baby."

Her phone buzzed again.

This time, it was Isabella.

"Call me ASAP. It’s important."

Her stomach twisted.

What now?

She excused herself and stepped into the hallway, dialing her sister’s number.

Isabella picked up on the first ring.

"Sophia, we have a problem."

Her voice was tight, urgent.

Sophia’s grip on the phone tightened.

"What is it?"

"It’s about Ethan."

A cold dread slithered down her spine.

"What about him?"

Isabella hesitated.

"I think he’s hiding something."

Sophia’s pulse spiked.

"What do you mean?"

"I can’t explain over the phone. Meet me at my place in an hour."

The line went dead.

Sophia stared at the screen, her mind racing.

First Daniel, now Isabella.

Something was wrong.

Terribly wrong.

And she had a sinking feeling it was all connected.

She glanced at the clock.

Two hours until her meeting with Daniel.

Plenty of time to find out what her sister knew.

She hurried upstairs to get dressed.

Whatever was coming, she needed to be ready.

Because this time, the storm wouldn’t pass quietly.

This time, it would destroy everything in its path.

Two days had passed since Isabella and I were taken. The police had hunted for Damian Slade, but he'd vanished like smoke. Those of his men they'd caught refused to talk.

Fear had become my shadow since then. I couldn’t shake the dread of it happening again. Worse—being targeted for something I had no part in.

"Mom, can I play video games?" Liam’s voice pulled me back to the present.

I’d thrown myself into chores, desperate to quiet my racing thoughts. Now, folding laundry was the last task left. After this, I’d have nothing to distract me.

"Sure. What time did Hunter say he’d be here?"

Those two were inseparable now. School, games, everything—they did it together. Their bond reminded me of the one Ethan, Sebastian, and Tristan had shared since childhood.

"Around three."

"Okay. I’ll make snacks for you both."

He kissed my cheek. "You’re the best."

Then he was gone, and silence swallowed me again.

For days, my mind had been a storm. Even sleep brought no relief.

Everything felt tangled. Especially where Ethan was concerned. He’d called, but I couldn’t bring myself to speak to him. Instead, I handed the phone to Liam. I wasn’t ready—not for him, not for this sudden shift in him.

His behavior these past months made no sense. How could I matter now when I hadn’t for nine years? What had changed?

Nothing. I was still Sophia. The same woman whose love he’d rejected over and over.

If this had happened years ago, I’d have leaped at the chance. But now? Too much had been said. Too much broken. Some wounds never heal. Some words can’t be unsaid.

But isn’t this what you wanted? A whisper in my mind. For him to see you. Want you.

I couldn’t deny it. Once, I’d dreamed of Ethan craving me the way I’d craved him. But that dream was dead. Buried by the woman I’d become—the one who knew love wasn’t enough.

Hurt was stronger. It shattered you until you were nothing but fragments. And some things, once broken, could never be fixed.

Falling for whatever game Ethan was playing would be foolish. He’d destroyed me once. I wouldn’t let it happen again.

Protecting my heart and being there for my children was all that mattered now. The love around me—even if it wasn’t romantic—had to be enough.

Fairy tales were lies. Ethan and Daniel had taught me that.

A knock at the door jerked me from my thoughts. I checked the time—nearly three. I’d been lost inside my head for over an hour.

I stood, sighing. It was probably Hunter. I’d make their snacks, then collapse into a nap.

But when I opened the door, Hunter wasn’t alone.

Lucas Montgomery stood beside him.

"Hey," I managed after hugging Hunter.

The boy didn’t wait for an invitation. He bolted upstairs the second I let go.

Leaving Lucas and me standing there.

Awkward. Silent.

Staring.