Chapter 457

Sophia sat up with difficulty, her body aching. Ethan grabbed her wrist. "Take the week off."

She bit her lip. "I can't. This job wasn't easy to get, and I don’t want to keep asking for leave."

"Fine." His voice was cold. "What happened at work yesterday? Did those women give you trouble?"

Sophia hesitated.

How could she answer?

Last night had been a brutal reminder—Ethan might have healed Noah's leg, but he was still the same ruthless man.

She stumbled out of bed, forcing a smile. "No."

"Lying?" He pulled her back, his grip unyielding.

She shook her head. "I keep to myself at work. They think I’m cold, that’s all. It’s nothing serious. I like this job."

She couldn’t tell him the truth. What good would it do? Losing this job wasn’t an option.

Ethan let her go.

She bent to pick up last night’s ruined pajamas, her face burning. With a frustrated huff, she threw them at him before grabbing his discarded shirt from the floor and pulling it on.

"That’s dirty," he remarked.

"Then you shouldn’t have ripped mine!" She stormed out, her walk unsteady.

Ethan watched her, amused.

No wonder men at her office couldn’t resist her.

After showering, he emerged to find Sophia dressed for work—a sleek black ruffled blouse paired with a fitted pencil skirt and knee-high boots. Elegant. Powerful.

"Change," he ordered.

Sophia glared.

"You were exhausted last night. That skirt is too tight. Wear jeans."

She turned toward the closet, but he added, "Keep the blouse. Just switch the bottom."

She ignored him, opting for the loosest jeans she owned and comfortable sneakers. The outfit made her look younger—almost like a college student.

"Better," he said, satisfied.

Sophia resisted the urge to kick him.

But every muscle ached.

After breakfast, Nathan arrived to drive them. First stop: Lily’s kindergarten.

Ethan stayed in the car while Sophia walked Lily inside.

At the gates, she ran into Emily’s mother, Victoria.

"Mrs. Montgomery! I’ve been trying to reach you," Victoria said, her smile strained.

Sophia checked her phone—still off from yesterday. She’d silenced it to avoid calls from her coworkers.

"What’s wrong?"

Victoria’s expression turned judgmental. "You work?"

Sophia nodded. "Yes."

Work was honorable. Necessary.

But in Victoria’s world, women like Sophia—who actually earned their living—were oddities.

"Anyway," Victoria continued, "the parent group is organizing a gathering. We’re discussing how to keep certain families from contaminating our children’s environment."

Sophia frowned. "What do you mean?"

Victoria scoffed. "You know—those who pretend to be wealthy but are drowning in debt. One mother was carrying a fake designer bag! Can you imagine?"

Sophia’s stomach twisted.

This wasn’t about protecting children. It was about exclusion.

"I’m sorry, I’m late for work," Sophia said tightly.

Victoria huffed. "The event is tomorrow. Don’t forget to RSVP."

Sophia walked away, her fists clenched.

She wouldn’t be attending.

But she would be keeping a closer eye on Victoria.