Chapter 73

Sophia looked up at Ethan, confusion flickering in her eyes.

Her voice came out quiet, detached, almost numb. "Mr. Blackwood, what exactly are you trying to say? My schemes, my deception—haven’t you already seen through them all? Now that you’ve exposed me, why bother asking what I’m doing?"

"Then you must have forgotten my warning." His tone wasn’t as harsh as before.

"I haven’t." Sophia lowered her head, a bitter laugh escaping her lips.

It wasn’t just Ethan’s warning about not getting involved with other men while still bound by their contract. Even if he hadn’t said a word, who would even look at her twice?

None of the people at the yacht party tonight had treated her like a human being. Not even Liam, who had been kind to her—his amusement was barely concealed beneath his politeness.

She was nothing more than a joke to them.

"I just wanted to earn a little extra money. That’s all. But even that path is blocked by you now." Her words were matter-of-fact, devoid of complaint or justification.

Just resignation.

Ethan paused, his dark, unreadable gaze fixed on her. Then, abruptly, he changed the subject. "You drew that architectural design?"

Sophia’s head snapped up, her long lashes fluttering in panic. The more she tried to hide it, the more obvious it became. "Wh-what design? I don’t know what you’re talking about."

"The sketch in your room. I saw it." His voice was low, magnetic.

Sophia froze.

What did Ethan know?

All she knew was that he despised deception. If he found out she had learned architecture from Victoria in prison, would he accuse her of another crime? She wasn’t afraid of much, but losing her job terrified her.

If Ethan decided to blacklist her, she wouldn’t just struggle in this city—she’d be ruined nationwide.

"That… that sketch was my design director’s. She didn’t have time to revise it, so she asked me to help…" The lie tumbled out clumsily.

"Really?" Ethan arched a brow, amused.

Sophia blinked. His tone today was different—less icy.

Was he not angry?

The tension in her shoulders eased slightly.

She dared to look at him again. The proximity between them was suffocating, forcing her to take in every sharp angle of his face.

He was breathtaking.

Cold. Ruthless. Devastatingly handsome.

But the way he watched her now was unreadable. She couldn’t tell if he was pleased or furious.

A man like him could make every socialite on that yacht weak in the knees, but he would never offer Sophia warmth or kindness.

He might not toy with her like the others, but he didn’t see her as a person either, did he?

Sophia, trapped in this world of the elite, was already numb. She didn’t want to engage further. Quietly, she said, "Mr. Blackwood, we have a contract. When it ends, you’ll give me what I need, and I’ll leave. That’s all."

With that, she slipped out from under his arm and retreated to her room.

The door clicked shut behind her.

Ethan stood frozen in the hallway.

Next Morning

Sophia woke early as usual. Just as she finished getting ready to leave, a deep voice stopped her.

"Wait."

She turned to see Ethan in a tailored suit, briefcase in hand.

She frowned. "…Yes?"

"I’m visiting my mother at the hospital this morning." His tone was casual.

Sophia hesitated but followed him silently.

They took the elevator down, stepped outside, and found Nathan’s car waiting. Sophia walked past it without stopping—until Ethan suddenly grabbed her arm.

She flinched.

"Get in." He opened the door for her, then slid in beside her.

The sudden closeness made her stiffen.

She was used to his coldness. This unexpected shift left her unsettled.

Ethan, however, seemed perfectly at ease. He worked on his laptop the entire ride, barely glancing at her.

Sophia twisted the fabric of her dress nervously.

She had thought herself composed around him—calm, unaffected. But the moment he acted differently, she crumbled.

She was still no match for him.

Nathan glanced at her in the rearview mirror, amused by how flustered she looked.

When they arrived at the hospital, Victoria was overjoyed to see them together. But knowing Ethan had work and Sophia had her job, she shooed them out quickly.

Outside, Sophia exhaled in relief.

She turned to leave for the bus—but Ethan spoke again.

"Breakfast."

"What?" She stared at him blankly.

His expression gave no room for refusal.

"I… already ate," she lied, immediately regretting it.

Ethan scanned the area. "Then we’re going to The Morning Sun Cafe."

He strode off without waiting.

Sophia had no choice but to follow.

Inside, he sat and ordered curtly, "Get me soy milk and two fried dough sticks. Order whatever you want."

Sophia obeyed, placing the food before him before sitting across from him, tense.

After a moment, she couldn’t take it anymore. "Mr. Blackwood… why?"

He took a bite, glancing up impatiently. "Why what?"

"Why breakfast together?"

He shrugged. "Husband and wife eat together. Why overthink it?"

Sophia’s lips parted—but no words came out.