Chapter 90

I stood frozen at the door, my knuckles hovering inches from the wood. What the hell was I doing here? Sophia needed space—that much was obvious. But damn it, I couldn’t stay away. There was something about her that pulled me in, an invisible force I couldn’t fight even if I wanted to.

I knocked, my impatience growing with every second that passed. When the door finally swung open, Liam’s bright eyes greeted me.

"Dad!" He launched himself into my arms, and I caught him effortlessly, his small frame fitting perfectly against mine. "I thought I had to wait until Saturday to see you!"

I held him tighter, the tension in my shoulders easing. "Hey, buddy."

How had I ever resented Sophia? The thought clawed at me. She’d given me the greatest gift—Liam. I should’ve cherished her instead of punishing her. That night, the one I’d spent years regretting, had brought me the one thing I’d never trade.

I’d been too blind to see it then. Too wrapped up in my own bitterness. But now? Now it was crystal clear. Sophia had been right. I’d spent so long hating that night, not realizing that without it, there would be no Liam. And I would never regret my son.

"Come in," Liam said, pulling back. "Mom’s in the shower. She said she needed to soak her tired bones."

He led me to the kitchen, hopping onto a stool and pointing to the food. Without hesitation, I grabbed a plate and piled it high.

I’d taken so much for granted when we were married. Now, the simple taste of her cooking hit me like a punch to the gut. I’d missed this. Missed her.

"So… Mom’s kind of a catch, huh?" Liam said between bites, his tone far too innocent.

I raised a brow. "Yeah."

"A lot of guys think so," he continued, feigning nonchalance. "Just the other day, some guy came by to see her. Wonder who’ll end up marrying her."

The smirk he tried to hide didn’t escape me.

"What guy?"

I fought to keep my voice steady, but jealousy burned through me like wildfire. The urge to roar that Sophia was mine nearly choked me.

"Don’t remember his name," Liam mused. "Mom said he was a new friend. Scary-looking, but cool. Tattoos everywhere. Women love that, right? Plus, he had abs."

I glared. He chuckled.

Little shit. He was baiting me, and it was working.

"Liam, who was at the door?" Sophia’s voice cut through the tension before I could respond.

She stepped into the kitchen, wrapped in nothing but a robe, her damp hair curling at the ends. No makeup, just her—flawless. The robe clung to her curves, and every instinct in me screamed to rip it off.

"Ethan?" Her expression shuttered, walls slamming into place. "What are you doing here?"

I hated that. Hated how she hid behind indifference now. Once, I could read her like an open book. Now? She was a locked vault.

"Ethan?" she repeated when I didn’t answer.

What could I say? That I missed her? That I just needed to see her?

"I’m out," Liam announced, sliding off the stool. "Don’t forget to say goodbye, Dad."

He bolted before either of us could stop him, leaving us alone in the thick silence.

"Who’s the guy Liam mentioned?" I demanded, closing the distance between us.

She stepped back, but the counter trapped her. "What guy?"

"The one in your long line of suitors," I bit out, jealousy turning my voice rough.

Her eyes flashed. "I have no idea what you’re talking about. And it’s late. You should go."

"Why? So you can entertain one of your admirers?"

I was pushing. I knew it. But I didn’t care. Not when the thought of another man touching her made me see red.

"What is wrong with you?" she hissed.

I moved closer, my hands finding her waist, pulling her against me. Her body molded to mine, soft and warm. The hardened peaks of her breasts pressed into my chest, and I groaned.

This wasn’t just want. It was something deeper. Something terrifying.

"Get your hands off me," she snapped, shoving at my chest.

I didn’t budge. Couldn’t. She felt too damn good.

"Not happening, Sophia. You’re mine."

"The hell I am!" She twisted, but I held firm. "Let me go before Liam sees us and gets the wrong idea!"

"Liam would be thrilled," I growled. "And you are mine. I’m not letting you whore yourself out to other men when you belong to me."

Her hand moved faster than I expected. The slap stung, shocking me enough that I released her.

"Whoring myself?" she seethed. "First of all, I was a virgin when we first slept together. Second, I can sleep with whoever I want. I’m free, Ethan. Free to be with men who actually want me—not men who fantasize about another woman while they’re inside me!"

The words were a knife to the gut. I’d brought this on myself.

"Sophia—"

"No!" Her voice cracked. "What do you want from me? You made it abundantly clear that I was just a stand-in for Isabella. That I’d never be the woman you loved. So why are you here? Why won’t you leave me alone?"

I opened my mouth, but the words lodged in my throat. How could I explain something I barely understood myself?

"I want you," I admitted, my voice raw. "So damn much."

Her laugh was hollow. "Why now? After nine years of marriage? How can you suddenly want me when you spent nearly a decade ignoring me?"

She had a point. But how could I explain the storm inside me?

"Is it so hard to believe I want you?"

"Yes," she spat. "You hated me. So yes, it’s impossible to believe you suddenly want me."

The truth hovered on my tongue. The emotion I’d been too blind to name.

"Please leave," she whispered. "You’re confused. Even if you think you want me, it doesn’t mean anything."

"It does," I insisted, desperation clawing at me. "It means we have something to fight for."

"No, it doesn’t." Her voice broke. "Not when I can still hear you telling me I was just a replacement for Isabella."

I wanted to argue, but the exhaustion in her eyes stopped me. She was done.

"Fine," I relented. "Call Liam so I can say goodbye."

She nodded stiffly and left. When Liam returned, I ignored his questioning look, ruffled his hair, and left.

This wasn’t over. Not even close.

As I drove away, the realization hit me like a truck. I had to pull over, my hands shaking on the wheel.

Because suddenly, I knew.

I loved her.

Fuck. I loved Sophia.

And I’d destroyed any chance she’d ever believe me.

Karma was a vicious bitch.