Chapter 9

Liam tugged at my sleeve, his stormy grey eyes filled with defiance. "I still don’t get why I have to go alone. Why can’t you come with me?"

He’d been sulking ever since I told him about the trip with his grandparents. At first, he’d been thrilled—until he realized neither Ethan nor I would be joining him.

His school had been accommodating, even arranging for his lessons to be sent ahead so he wouldn’t fall behind.

"This is a special trip just for you and your grandparents, sweetheart," I said, ruffling his hair.

After speaking with the chief, I’d made sure they were being sent somewhere warm.

"You’re going to the beach. Isn’t that what you’ve been begging for?" I teased, watching his expression shift.

The word beach worked like magic. His pout vanished instantly.

Liam was obsessed with the ocean. After our last trip to the Maldives, he’d cried for a week when we left, begging us to move there—or at least leave him behind.

The memory made me smile. He brought so much light into my life.

"You’re not lying, right?" he asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Would I ever lie to you?"

"No," he admitted, his frown melting into a grin. "Okay, fine. I’m not mad anymore."

"Why were you mad?"

"Because you wouldn’t come with me. But it’s okay. You can visit later."

I bit my tongue before I could say I wouldn’t be joining him. No need to ruin his mood again.

"Come on, let’s go or we’ll be late," I said, grabbing my purse with my good arm while he snatched up his duffel bag and bolted downstairs.

Just as I was about to order a ride, the doorbell rang. I rushed to answer it before Liam could—he had a bad habit of flinging the door open without checking who was there, no matter how many times I warned him.

I groaned when I saw who stood on the other side.

Of course. The moment I decided to move on from Ethan, he was suddenly everywhere.

"Dad!" Liam barreled past me, launching himself at Ethan.

"Hey, champ," Ethan murmured, pulling him into a tight hug. He inhaled deeply, as he always did—once, he’d told me Liam’s scent calmed him, like how some people found peace in fragrances.

Setting Liam down, Ethan turned to me. Our son darted back to the living room, buzzing with excitement.

"What are you doing here?" I asked—a question I’d been asking far too often lately.

He shrugged. "I’m driving you to the airport." He gestured to my injured arm.

I stared at him. As usual, his expression gave nothing away. He reserved that icy detachment just for me—even his business partners got friendlier looks.

"No need. I already called a car."

Lie. The last thing I wanted was to be trapped in a confined space with him.

"Cancel it," he ordered, his voice sending a chill down my spine.

Sometimes I wondered why I’d ever fallen for him. Cold. Arrogant. A complete jerk—especially to me. I should’ve run the other way the second I felt anything for him.

"Not happening, asshole," I hissed. "I’ll meet you at the airport."

Who did he think he was, barking orders in my house?

He stepped into my space, chest to chest, eyes flashing. "I’m not leaving. Cancel the damn ride and get in my car."

My temper flared. Normally, I’d bite my tongue to avoid provoking him—but not anymore.

"You arrogant bastard," I snapped. "I’m not some damn pet you can order around."

For years, I’d let him dictate everything. For years, I’d swallowed my words, desperate to keep what little we had. And what had it gotten me? Nothing but pain.

"Sophia," he warned.

"Are you guys fighting again?" Liam’s voice cut through the tension.

I turned to find him watching us with sad eyes. Damn it. He shouldn’t have to see this.

"No, sweetheart. We just disagree on something." I shot Ethan a look. "Right?"

Like me, his anger had vanished. We’d both do anything for Liam—even tolerate each other.

"Your mom wanted to take a car since she can’t drive," Ethan said smoothly, flashing a lazy smile. "But I wanted to take you myself."

"Why can’t we just go with Dad?" Liam asked, blinking up at me.

I exhaled sharply. Traitor.

"Fine," I muttered.

The things I did for love.

Liam cheered, grabbing his bag while I snatched up my purse. I gave the room one last check before turning—only to crash into Ethan’s chest.

His arm shot out, steadying me before I could stumble. I jerked away, putting distance between us.

"I told you to wait by the door."

"I don’t take orders," he shot back.

"Let’s just go."

I reached for my bag, but he grabbed it first, then Liam’s suitcase, and strode out without another word.

What the hell had gotten into him? He’d never helped me before.

By the time I locked up, Ethan and Liam were already in the car. Reluctantly, I slid into the passenger seat.

Ten minutes in, the silence was suffocating. Liam was glued to his tablet, oblivious. Another ten, and I was ready to fling myself out of the moving vehicle.

I reached for the radio, but Ethan spoke first.

"How’s the arm?"

His eyes stayed on the road, but he glanced at me briefly.

Why did I find one-handed driving so damn attractive?

"Fine."

"Could you give me more than one word?"

"Why? You’ve never cared what I had to say before. You’d go out of your way to ignore me."

He clenched his jaw but said nothing. He knew I was right.

I turned to the window, praying the drive would end soon.

"Your mother’s been asking about you. Have you spoken to her?"

I groaned. "Since when are you so chatty? Just pretend I don’t exist like usual."

His grip on the wheel tightened. He hated that I wasn’t the meek little wife anymore.

Good.

The rest of the ride passed in silence. An hour later, we arrived at the airport.

"I can’t wait to see the ocean!" Liam bounced excitedly.

"Then let’s not keep you waiting," Ethan said, ruffling his hair.

Liam dragged me toward his grandparents, where several officers waited. I recognized a few.

Noah greeted everyone—I didn’t. No point pretending with people who despised me.

Ethan handed the bags to an officer, then joined Isabella, Tristan, and Sebastian. He hugged them before pulling Isabella close and kissing her forehead.

I ignored it. Refused to let it hurt me.

"Five minutes till departure," the pilot announced.

Everyone stared, waiting for me to grovel like I used to. Instead, I acted like they didn’t exist.

Liam said goodbye to Ethan, Tristan, and Sebastian—but completely ignored Isabella.

"Noah, say goodbye to Isabella," Ethan ordered, irritation creeping into his voice.

"I don’t know her," Liam said bluntly, shrugging.

Before Ethan could argue, Liam barreled into me.

"I’ll miss you, Mommy."

"Me too, sweetheart. I’ll call every day."

The officer led him away.

"Bye, Mommy! See you soon!"

"See you soon."

I watched the plane take off, my heart heavy but certain this was best for him.

The second I stepped outside, my phone rang—Ethan Blackwood flashing on the screen.

I declined, hailed a cab, and turned off my phone.

Time to be alone.