Chapter 40

"How dare you?" Sophia's voice trembled with barely contained fury.

Penelope rolled her eyes, as if the entire situation was beneath her. "It's not my fault the little brat wasn't watching where she was going. This is a limited-edition Chanel gown, and she nearly ruined it with her sticky fingers."

The tension between Sophia and Penelope was nothing new. I knew Penelope had tormented Sophia relentlessly in school, and even now, years later, the animosity lingered.

The child in question—no older than five—was hiding behind Sophia, her tiny hands clutching the hem of Sophia's dress. She was adorable, with rosy cheeks, a heart-shaped face, and dark curls cascading down her back.

For a fleeting moment, I imagined a little girl with my storm-gray eyes and Sophia’s rich chestnut hair.

I stiffened.

What the hell was that? Where had that thought come from? Shaking my head, I forced myself to focus on the scene unfolding before me. Sophia was finally standing up to Penelope, and it was glorious.

"Are you serious?" Sophia snapped, her voice sharp. "That’s your excuse for berating a child? Especially when we’re all here for them?"

Penelope huffed, stomping her foot like a spoiled toddler. "It’s not an excuse! I won’t let some orphan who’s never even seen wealth ruin a dress worth more than her entire future!"

Gasps erupted around the room. Penelope paled as she realized the entire crowd had heard her venomous words—and none of them were pleased.

"That’s not what I meant—" she backpedaled frantically.

Sophia cut her off with a chilling smile. "You know what? Leave. If this is how you treat these children, you have no place here." She signaled to one of the security guards stationed nearby.

Penelope’s jaw dropped. "You’re kicking me out?"

Sophia arched a brow. "Obviously."

"You can’t do this! I’ve donated millions to this foundation!"

Sophia’s smirk turned dangerous. She gestured to Elizabeth, who immediately pulled up the records on her tablet.

"One million, to be exact," Elizabeth announced.

Sophia turned back to Penelope, her gaze icy. "What we don’t need is someone like you—someone arrogant enough to think we can’t survive without their money." She nodded at Elizabeth. "Transfer it all back."

The room fell silent.

A moment later, Elizabeth confirmed, "It’s done."

Sophia crossed her arms. "Now that you have your money, get out. And consider yourself banned from every event I or my foundation hosts."

Penelope shrieked curses as the guard dragged her out, her heels scraping against the marble floor.

Just like with Vanessa, this would destroy Penelope’s social standing. And Sophia had orchestrated it flawlessly.

She turned to the crowd, her voice steady and commanding. "Does anyone else share Penelope’s sentiments? Because let me be clear—we are here for these children. And I will remove anyone who disrespects them."

In that moment, she looked like an avenging angel—ready to strike down anyone who dared harm those under her protection.

When no one spoke, Sophia smiled. "Good. Enjoy the rest of the evening."

My gaze locked onto her as she strode toward the balcony. Isabella said something to me, but I barely registered it. All I saw was Sophia.

I stood abruptly, ignoring Isabella’s call as I followed Sophia outside.

She stood at the railing, the wind tousling her hair as she stared at the darkening sky.

Now that I was here, I had no idea what to say. We hadn’t spoken since that day at her house. Every call, every text—ignored.

She tensed as I approached. "What do you want, Ethan?"

I moved closer until I stood beside her. "Why didn’t you tell me?"

"Tell you what?"

"About the Hope Foundation. About the fact that you never needed my money. Why let everyone look down on you?"

She scoffed, turning to face me fully. "When exactly was I supposed to tell you? You barely tolerated my presence. You went out of your way to avoid me."

Her brown eyes held something new—something fierce. And yet, something was missing.

She continued, her voice softer now. "Besides, would you have even cared? You made it clear that nothing about me mattered to you."

She was right. I’d been a cold bastard. I’d convinced myself I didn’t owe her anything—not after what she’d supposedly done to me.

But now? Now I saw the truth.

"About Isabella—" I started, but she cut me off.

"Don’t. I don’t want you, Ethan. Whatever love I had for you is dead. You killed it." She took a steadying breath. "Loving you was my biggest mistake. And I won’t repeat it."

Her words hit like a sledgehammer to the chest.

"But I’ll always be grateful for Liam," she added softly. "He’s the only good thing you ever gave me."

Then she turned, her gaze locking onto Daniel.

"I’m sorry," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "For everything. I was drunk that night. I never meant to come between you and Isabella."

Daniel turned, his lips curving into a smile as he met her eyes.

The sight made my blood boil.

"I’m staying out of your life," Sophia continued, still looking at him. "Don’t come to my house. Don’t call me unless it’s about Liam—and even then, go through our lawyers."

She finally faced me. "Goodbye, Ethan."

She walked away.

My heart screamed for her to stop.

Then she paused. "One last thing. If you want things to work with Isabella, you should ask her for the truth. A relationship built on lies won’t last."

With that, she left.

Daniel met her halfway, taking her hand and leading her into the garden.

I turned away just as he kissed her.

This was what I wanted, wasn’t it? For her to move on. For her to leave me alone.

So why did it feel like I’d just lost everything?