Chapter 121

Sophia stood up, rubbing her tired eyes as she faced Ethan. "I know you've been preoccupied these days. With Victoria's condition worsening, you haven't had time for anything else. But… shouldn’t we discuss the contract now?"

Her throat tightened as she spoke, her gaze steady on him.

Today had been exhausting. After a long day of work, she had been dragged into a private room by that lecherous old man, Vincent Holloway. In a panic, she had stabbed him with a broken wine bottle.

In the heat of the moment, fear hadn’t registered. But now, with the adrenaline gone, dread settled in. Vincent was still hospitalized, and though Liam Sterling had managed to suppress the incident, the medical bills loomed over her.

The only place she could think of to get the money was Ethan—and the contract still hanging between them.

Ethan’s cold stare bore into her.

His mood was already foul.

Victoria had been comatose for three days, her fever relentless, her organs failing. Watching his mother slip away bit by bit was agony. Regret gnawed at him—he never should have allowed his grandparents to bring the Blackwood relatives to acknowledge her.

If he hadn’t, maybe she wouldn’t have given up. Maybe she wouldn’t be dying now.

Three sleepless nights had left him hollow.

And then, stepping out of his mother’s ward, he had seen Sophia—half-draped in the arms of a man old enough to be her grandfather.

He had almost softened toward her because of that cigarette holder.

Almost.

But reality kept slapping him in the face. This woman was a master of deception.

His mother, even in her unconscious state, whispered Sophia’s name.

And what was Sophia doing?

Clinging to another man.

Timing it perfectly, knowing he was too distracted to confront her.

Not only was she breaking their contract by seeing other men, but she had the audacity to ask him about it?

"Did you ever care about my mother?" His voice was eerily calm.

Sophia hesitated.

"Answer me."

"What do you want to hear?" She met his gaze evenly. "Even if I tell you the truth, you won’t believe me. So I might as well say what you expect—no, I never cared about your mother. I used her to get close to you. I thought the baby in my stomach would be my leverage, but it didn’t work. So now, I’ll settle for the contract."

She tilted her chin up. "When will you fulfill your end of the deal, Mr. Blackwood?"

His expression didn’t flicker.

That unnerved her more than anger would have.

Sophia had learned a few things about Ethan during their time together. He spoke little, acted ruthlessly, but his face rarely betrayed emotion.

Yet she had seen his cruelty firsthand.

His penthouse was a death trap for his enemies. He eliminated opposition without hesitation, without mercy.

Right now, she couldn’t read him. So she held her ground, feigning indifference.

His reply was chillingly detached. "The contract states I’ll pay after my mother’s passing. She’s still alive."

Sophia’s breath caught.

Before she could respond, Ethan turned, stepping inside and shutting the door in her face.

The moment it closed, the ice in his eyes cracked.

His fingers twitched with the urge to wrap around her throat.

But he restrained himself.

Memories flashed—her tender care for his mother, the rare moments of sincerity in her smile, the sharp elegance of her handwriting, her brilliance in architectural design.

And yet, she was also this—calculating, deceitful.

Outside, Sophia stood frozen before finally stumbling toward the elevator.

She was too exhausted to fight anymore. The baby needed rest. She needed rest.

But as she stepped out of the building, she saw Ethan sprinting to his car.

For a heartbeat, she thought he was coming for her.

Then she realized—he hadn’t even glanced her way.

The car roared to life, tires screeching as it vanished down the street.

"Something’s wrong."

Victoria.

Sophia’s blood ran cold.

Forgetting everything—even the man she had stabbed—she flagged down a taxi.

"Grandview Medical Center. Hurry!"

Fifteen minutes later, she reached Victoria’s ward.

The tubes had been removed.

Victoria’s skin was sallow, her lips parted in shallow, uneven breaths.

"Aunt Victoria…" Sophia pressed a hand to the glass, tears spilling silently.

At the bedside, Ethan knelt, his usual composure shattered. "Mom, what do you need to say?"

"Sophia…" Victoria’s voice was barely audible.

"I’m here." Sophia rushed forward.

"Sophia…" Victoria’s frail fingers twitched. "Take care… of Ethan… for me."

Tears blurred Sophia’s vision. "I will. I promise."

"Ethan…"

"Yes, Mom?"

"Don’t… bury me… with the Blackwoods." Each word was a struggle. "I don’t… want to be… alone. Put me… somewhere… lively."

Ethan swallowed hard. "I’ll move Grandmother and Grandfather’s graves beside yours. You’ll have family with you. You won’t be alone."

A faint smile touched Victoria’s lips. "Good… my sweet boy…"

Her chest stilled.

She was gone.