Chapter 22

I had planned a perfect evening with Isabella, but everything went to hell the moment I spotted Sophia on a date with Daniel Carter.

"Ethan?" Isabella calls my name, but my brain short-circuits.

There she was—Sophia—wrapped in another man's arms. At first, I thought my eyes were deceiving me. I had been smug, thinking Daniel was just another snake, until I realized the woman he was with was her.

She looked breathtaking. A vision I'd never seen before. Her flawless skin glowed under the soft lighting, and that little black dress clung to her curves in ways that made my pulse spike.

Sure, I'd seen her naked before, but this was different. She had dressed up—something she never did for me. Probably because I never took her out, never gave her a reason to.

My jaw clenches as Daniel tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Then he caresses her cheek and kisses her forehead, and something inside me snaps.

She smiles at him—a smile so radiant it nearly brings me to my knees.

"Ethan, you're hurting me!" Isabella snaps.

Only then do I realize I've been crushing her hand in mine. I release her immediately, but my gaze locks onto Sophia. Our eyes meet for a split second before she looks away, sliding into Daniel's car without a backward glance.

Rage burns through me. I want to destroy something—someone. Preferably Daniel, preferably with my fists.

Isabella yanks her arm free and storms off before I can stop her. She hails a cab and disappears, leaving me standing there like an idiot.

I don’t understand this fury. But one thing is clear—something is happening between Sophia and Daniel, and I hate it.

My mind is a warzone. Isabella doesn’t deserve this, not after everything I’ve put her through. But I can’t explain why the sight of Sophia with another man guts me like this.

I get in my car and drive straight to Sophia’s condo. I know she’ll be there.

Parking outside her building, I take the elevator up. She gave me a spare key once, so I let myself in.

She’s sitting on the couch, staring blankly at the wall.

"Isabella?" I say softly.

She turns, her blue eyes red and swollen. Guilt twists in my gut. This is the woman I’ve loved since I first understood what love was. And yet, here I am, breaking her heart all over again.

"What are you doing here?" she asks, her voice steady despite the pain in her eyes.

"I’m sorry about earlier—"

"Are you?" she cuts in, her gaze sharp. "Do you have any idea how it felt watching you lose your mind over my sister? Seeing you drool over her, then lose your shit when you realized she was with someone else?"

The guilt is suffocating. But even now, I can’t deny how seeing Sophia affected me. I should’ve controlled myself—could’ve—but I wasn’t prepared for that sight.

"Isabella—"

She stands abruptly, pacing like a caged animal. "Did you fall in love with her during your marriage? Is that it? Then why the hell did you ask me for another chance if you knew you didn’t love me anymore?"

"I’m not in love with Sophia," I growl.

I would know if I were.

"Really?" She scoffs. "Because from where I’m standing, the way you act around her says otherwise."

"We were married. Of course I care about her, but that’s it."

If that’s true, then why does the thought of her with another man make me want to commit murder?

"You’re a liar," she snarls, hurling a book at me. I dodge just in time. "Just admit it—you’re in love with her!"

"Calm down and let me explain!" I snap.

"I don’t want your explanations! They’re all lies!" She collapses onto the couch, tears streaming. "Just leave, Ethan. I can’t deal with you right now."

I should stay. But I don’t.

I drive aimlessly, my head a mess. Torn between two women. I have everything I ever wanted—Isabella, the love of my life. So why am I destroying it over Sophia?

She was always the wrong sister. The unwanted one. So why does she suddenly have this hold over me?

I slam on the brakes, realizing I’ve parked outside Sophia’s house. I don’t even remember driving here.

Now that I’m here, the need to see her consumes me. I knock urgently, my pulse wild.

The door opens. "Did you forget something?" Sophia blinks at me in surprise.

I don’t let her speak. I push inside, lock the door, and crush my lips to hers.

The kiss is desperate, hungry. She gasps, and I deepen it, my hands gripping her waist, pulling her flush against me.

I need more.

But then she shoves me away—and slaps me.

"What the hell, Ethan?" Her lips are swollen, her eyes wide. She looks wrecked.

The sting brings me back to reality. She’s just as shocked as I am.

Without a word, I storm out, slamming the door behind me.

I drive off, my hands shaking.

What the fuck am I doing?

Because I sure as hell don’t know anymore.