Chapter 93

Sophia's voice was icy as she demanded, "When and where?"

Isabella smirked. "Four o'clock this afternoon."

"Fine. I'll be there. But on one condition." Sophia's tone sharpened. "Leave Victoria Blackwood out of this, or I won't hold back."

Isabella burst into laughter. "Oh, Sophia! You talk as if she's really your mother-in-law. Don't forget—you're the fake. I'm the real fiancée. Victoria is my future mother-in-law. Why would I harm her? Your concern is unnecessary."

"Good. Then we understand each other. I'll be there at four." Sophia ended the call without another word.

Just as she was about to return to her desk to tidy up before heading out for lunch, her phone rang again. She frowned, expecting another call from Isabella—but the number was unfamiliar.

"Hello?" she answered cautiously.

"Mrs. Blackwood." The voice on the other end was deep and formal.

Sophia's cheeks warmed instantly, her tone brightening. "Nathan, please—you know this is just an arrangement. Don't call me that. Just 'Sophia' is fine. Did you need something?"

Ethan's assistant replied, "You're needed at the front desk on the first floor."

Sophia blinked. "Why? What's going on?"

A thought flickered in her mind—had Ethan come to her workplace? Did he want to have lunch together?

Her pulse quickened.

But no. She couldn't risk that kind of attention here.

"Mr. Blackwood is occupied today," Nathan clarified.

"Oh." Disappointment flickered, though she kept her voice light.

"He couldn't get away, so he asked me to arrange lunch for you. The delivery should be downstairs by now. Go collect it." Nathan paused. "This is my first time ordering for you. I hope it suits your taste."

Sophia's lips curved. Nathan's thoughtfulness touched her—though she knew Ethan hadn’t actually requested this. The man was too ruthless, too detached, to micromanage her meals.

This kindness was Nathan's alone.

And it meant more than he knew.

After years of being treated as just another shadow in Ethan's orbit, Sophia was the first to see him as human. She'd once given him hand warmers on a freezing day, a small gesture that had stayed with him.

To Nathan, she wasn’t just a temporary stand-in. She was Mrs. Blackwood.

"Please thank Mr. Blackwood for me," Sophia said warmly. "I’ll do everything I can for Victoria. Every extra day with her matters—even one."

Nathan’s voice softened. "I’ll relay that, Mrs. Blackwood."

Hanging up, Sophia practically skipped to the elevator.

At the front desk, a delivery awaited her—not extravagant, but generous. Shrimp, ribs, beef meatballs, sautéed greens, and okra. Five dishes in total.

She laughed under her breath.

How am I supposed to finish all this?

But her heart felt full.

Carrying the food to the staff cafeteria, she nearly collided with Liam Sterling and his ever-present companion, Noah Whitmore.

"Well, well." Liam blocked her path, smirking. "Who’s the new benefactor showering you with gifts?"

Sophia met his gaze, her smile radiant.

Liam faltered.

It was the second time he'd seen her like this—vibrant, almost glowing. The first had been days ago, eating lunch on a construction site.

"Mr. Sterling," she teased, "I haven’t seen you lately. Too busy?"

Liam nodded dumbly.

"Don’t forget—payday’s coming. I owe you dinner." Her eyes sparkled. "This is too much for me. Want to join?"

Liam shook his head.

"Suit yourself." With a breezy wave, she left him staring after her.

Noah whistled. "Since when does the Ice Queen smile like that?"

Liam exhaled. "I have no idea."

In the cafeteria, Sophia shared her feast with nearby coworkers. By 3:30 PM, cheeks still flushed from their gratitude, she approached her supervisor.

"Could I take my work home tonight? I have an appointment."

"Of course." Her boss waved her off. "Designers don’t keep strict hours."

Sophia knew the leniency came from the lavish lunch.

At 3:58 PM, she arrived at Grandview Medical Center. Scanning the entrance, she tensed at a mocking voice behind her.

"Looking for me?"

Sophia turned. Isabella stood there, phone in hand. "What do you want?"

"To show you something." Isabella swiped her screen, thrusting a video at her.

Sophia watched—and her blood turned to ice.

Then she struck.

The slap cracked through the air. Isabella staggered, clutching her face. "You—you dare hit me? I’m Ethan’s real fiancée!"

Sophia leaned in, voice low and lethal. "Not necessarily. Right now, I’m his legal wife."

She never noticed the watching eyes behind her.