Chapter 46

The moment I pulled into the driveway of my new house, my anger still simmered beneath the surface. Calling this place "home" would take some getting used to.

I stepped out of the truck and froze.

Ethan Blackwood—of all people—was lounging on my front porch.

I marched toward him, my glare sharp enough to cut glass.

"If you're here to lecture me about Isabella, turn your ass around and leave," I snapped, jabbing a finger at his sleek black Aston Martin.

If he thought he could come here and start trouble, I’d send him flying into orbit.

His brows furrowed. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"That conniving bitch must’ve called you with some sob story, didn’t she?" I hissed, my blood boiling just remembering her words.

I tapped my foot impatiently, waiting for confirmation. Why else would he show up right after my fight with Isabella?

"I have no damn clue what you’re ranting about," he growled, dragging a hand through his hair. "I’m not here for whatever drama went down between you two."

"Then why are you here?"

"Nathan called. Said you might need help moving furniture." He took a step forward, and I instinctively retreated.

At the mention of my brother’s name, my fury reignited. Those two were unbelievable. Sometimes I questioned how I was even related to them.

"Don’t you dare say his name to me," I spat.

He’d known Liam since birth. How could he just stand there while Isabella threatened him? And then have the audacity to scold me for reacting?

"What did he do?"

"He stood there like a damn statue while Isabella threatened Liam, then had the nerve to lecture me when I nearly put her through a wall."

I braced for his usual explosion, for him to take her side.

But he didn’t.

Instead, his voice dropped to something lethal. "She did what?"

The air crackled with tension. I swore the ground trembled beneath his rage.

I swallowed hard. This wasn’t the reaction I’d expected.

"I walked away to avoid a fight. Then she stopped me, saying she’d make Liam pay for ‘stealing’ you from her."

His eyes darkened, a storm brewing in their depths. "If she so much as looks at him wrong, it’ll be the last thing she ever does."

The threat wasn’t empty. The murderous glint in his eyes confirmed that.

"Calm down," I said cautiously. "After the warning I gave her, she won’t dare go near him."

I’d seen the fear in her eyes. She knew she’d crossed a line—one that would cost her.

Our sisterly bond had died long ago. She knew I wouldn’t hesitate to destroy her if she hurt my son.

Ethan struggled to rein in his temper, his jaw clenched so tight I thought it might crack.

Before I could say more, his gaze snapped over my shoulder. The fury in his eyes multiplied tenfold as a car door slammed behind me.

I sighed. Daniel.

Daniel despised Ethan, and judging by Ethan’s expression, the feeling was mutual.

"What’s he doing here?" they snarled in unison.

I stepped between them, watching as they squared off like two wolves ready to tear each other apart.

"Since you’re both here to help, let’s get this over with," I said, turning toward the truck before they could argue.

Unlocking it, I glanced back. Neither had moved.

"Are you two done with your pissing contest? We have work to do."

Ethan grunted and stomped forward. Daniel followed, his expression just as sour.

They worked in tense silence, carrying heavy furniture while shooting daggers at each other.

Then—crash.

I rushed inside to find them brawling on the floor like teenagers.

"Stay the hell away from her!" Ethan roared, landing a punch.

"Like hell I will!" Daniel shot back, striking Ethan’s ribs.

"STOP!" I shrieked.

They ignored me.

Grabbing a bowl of water, I dumped it over their heads.

They froze, blinking up at me like I was the crazy one.

"What the hell is wrong with you two?" I screamed.

"He started it," Daniel muttered like a petulant child.

"I don’t care who started it!" I turned to Ethan. "What’s your damn problem?"

His glare could’ve melted steel. "My problem is you dating this bastard!"

I gaped at him. Since when did he care who I dated?

"That’s none of your business. Shouldn’t you be happy he’s keeping me occupied so I’m not ‘bothering’ you?"

"If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t give a damn. But him?" He scoffed. "Wake the hell up, Sophia."

"Stop insulting him!"

"Why can’t you see he’s using you? Are you so desperate for love that you’ll ignore the truth staring you in the face?"

His words sliced through me like glass.

"Get out," I seethed. "I won’t let you disrespect me or him."

His glare turned deadly. "Fine. But mark my words—he will hurt you. And when he does, you’ll have no one to blame but yourself."

With that, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

Ethan was wrong.

Daniel would never hurt me.

Unlike Ethan, he actually cared.