Chapter 79

Alexander remained silent as he stood and walked out.

Margaret smiled warmly. "Don't mind him, Sophia. He's always been a man of few words. I know your marriage was sudden, and there’s not much emotional foundation yet, but you’ll see—he has a good heart."

Sophia nodded. "I understand, Mother. Should I go shopping for clothes with Ethan now?"

"Go ahead."

Sophia hurried after him, but just as she reached the door, Margaret called out, "Ethan, I know you're still standing there. Come back inside. I need to speak with you."

Ethan, who had indeed lingered outside, turned to Nathan. "Take her to the car first. I'll join you shortly."

"Of course, Mr. Blackwood."

Ethan re-entered the room. "Mother?"

"You foolish boy!" Margaret swatted his arm lightly. "You’ve been married to Sophia for over a month, and I’ve seen how cold you’ve been toward her. I know there’s no love between you yet, so I haven’t scolded you."

"Thankfully, Sophia is a wonderful girl. She’s never once complained about your neglect, even when she wears those cheap clothes I pretend not to notice. But today, I see you’re finally warming up to her. Make sure you buy her beautiful things—she’s the lady of the Blackwood family now!"

Ethan nodded. "Understood."

"Go. Don’t keep her waiting."

He left the hospital room and found Nathan and Sophia standing beside his car. When Sophia noticed him approaching, she suddenly mustered the courage to speak. "Mr. Carter…?"

Nathan blinked in surprise. "You’re… talking to me?"

Sophia had never initiated conversation with him before. He was almost flattered.

She bit her lip. "I… don’t understand him. Why is he suddenly treating me like this?"

Nathan chuckled. "The master is kind to those who are kind to his mother. Shouldn’t he be?"

Sophia fell silent.

"Don’t overthink it," Nathan added. "Mr. Blackwood’s coldness depends on who he’s dealing with. With enemies, he’s ruthless. With family and friends, he’s surprisingly warm."

"So… he considers me a friend?"

"You’ve been good to his mother. He’s noticed."

There was more to it, but Nathan didn’t know the full story.

When Ethan had seen Sophia’s architectural sketches—detailed, precise, with every steel beam and load-bearing calculation meticulously noted—he had been struck by her dedication. It mirrored his mother’s passion.

His mother was fading, but here was someone who carried on her craft. The realization had stirred something in him.

Now, as he approached, he caught Sophia’s shy smile toward Nathan. The innocence in her expression was unexpectedly endearing.

"Where to?" Nathan asked, opening the car door.

"The high-end boutiques in the city center. Call ahead—we’ll arrive in an hour." Ethan’s gaze lingered on Sophia as he motioned for her to enter.

She hesitated, but just then, her phone rang. She answered without checking. "Hello?"

"Sophia!" Benjamin Thornton’s grating voice hissed through the line.

Her expression remained calm, though her fingers tightened slightly.

"You’ll come to me immediately!" Benjamin snarled. "If you don’t, you’ll regret it!"

"Fine." She hung up.

Both Ethan and Nathan were watching her.

"My supervisor wants me back at the office," she lied smoothly. "I… should go. We can shop another day."

Ethan studied her. "Tomorrow, then."

Relief flickered in her eyes. "Thank you." She turned to leave.

"Let Nathan drive you."

"No need. It’s close." With that, she hurried off.

Once outside, she called Benjamin back. "I owe you nothing."

"You stole my daughter’s fiancé!"

Sophia’s voice was icy. "If Isabella has a problem with Ethan’s choices, she should take it up with him. Or does she not dare?"

"You little—"

"Where do you want to meet?"

"Harborview Coffee. Now."

She hung up.

Thirty minutes later, she spotted Benjamin through the café window, his glare venomous. She didn’t sit. "What do you want?"

"Leave Harborview City in three days."

"Why?"

"I raised you for eight years!"

"You were never a father to me," Sophia said coldly. "And I repaid that debt when I took the fall for Isabella. We’re even."

Benjamin’s face twisted. "Then watch your mother’s grave get dug up."

Sophia’s expression didn’t waver. "And Isabella will never marry Ethan. Not in this lifetime."

She turned and left.

She had come only to be crueler than him. To shut him down with one sentence.

Under the dim streetlight at the bus stop, she finally let the tears fall.

Why had she ever hoped he’d be a father to her?

Late that night, she dragged herself back to Ethan’s penthouse.

The door opened before she could reach for the handle.

"Madam," the housekeeper said gently. "Mr. Blackwood asked me to wait for you. Dinner is ready."