Chapter 129

Her words left him speechless.

"If you don't want my life right now, then I'll leave first. When you decide you do, you know where to find me." Sophia didn't look back at Ethan as she descended the steps.

She didn't glance behind her even once.

"Hey—!" Nathan called out, but she kept walking.

The rain had lightened, but the air was still heavy. Sophia held her umbrella, her pace steady, though not slow. Yet Ethan, with his long strides, caught up to her in mere seconds.

"Changed your mind about killing me?" Sophia asked flatly.

Ethan's voice was cold. "A contract signed by Ethan Blackwood doesn't just dissolve. The money is yours. And as for your life—it's worthless to me. Taking it would be more trouble than it's worth."

Relief washed over her.

He was still willing to give her the money. Still willing to let her live. That was more than she had expected.

She looked up, a faint, bittersweet smile on her lips. "I don’t need the money, Mr. Blackwood. Accepting it would dishonor the bond between Aunt Margaret and me. Besides, I..."

She trailed off, then lowered her gaze.

"I just want the divorce finalized as soon as possible. That’s all."

With that, she turned away again.

She wouldn’t take Ethan’s money. Not when she had already decided to be with Liam.

When Vincent Holloway had cornered her, it was Liam who had intervened. When she had been left with nothing, it was Liam who had stepped in.

Arrogant as he was, his kindness had been the only light in her darkest moments.

He had given her stability—a job, financial support, solutions when she had none.

Sophia had made up her mind. She wanted to be with Liam.

Whether he saw her as a fleeting affair, a plaything, or just a passing amusement—it didn’t matter.

She would give him sincerity, even if he never returned it.

After leaving the cemetery, Sophia drove to the private dining room where Liam was waiting.

He slid a cup of coffee toward her.

She shook her head with a small smile. "I don’t drink coffee, Mr. Sterling."

"Come on, country girl. It’s bitter at first, but the aftertaste is worth it. Trust me, you’ll love it." He smirked, pushing the cup closer.

Ever since she had stood her ground against Vincent Holloway—leaving him permanently scarred—Liam had looked at her differently.

He was almost... respectful.

If not for Aunt Margaret’s funeral, he would have already made his move.

Now, he could barely contain himself.

But Sophia met his gaze evenly. "Mr. Sterling... I'm pregnant."

His smirk froze. Then, slowly, it twisted into something darker. "Say that again."

Her expression didn’t waver.

She had made her choice. If she was going to be with him, she owed him honesty.

"Two years in prison. You know how it is in there. I don’t know who the father is. But I’m keeping this child."

She took a breath.

"My mother is gone. Aunt Margaret is gone. I have no one left. I won’t ask you for anything—not marriage, not support. I’ll repay every cent you’ve lent me. I just... wanted you to know."

She waited.

If he walked away now, she wouldn’t blame him.

Liam stared at her for a long moment. Then, abruptly, he barked out a laugh. "Who the hell do you think I am? So what if you’re knocked up? I don’t give a damn!"

A flicker of surprise crossed her face.

He was crude, reckless, spoiled rotten—but beneath all that bluster, there was a strange softness to him.

She had learned to ignore his vulgarity.

Liam stood abruptly. "I wasn’t even supposed to be here today. Got a project crisis. But I came anyway because it’s our first date."

He shoved his chair back. "I’ll deal with this mess, then come back for you."

Sophia said nothing.

She knew an excuse when she heard one. He wouldn’t return.

But it didn’t matter.

Deep down, she didn’t love Liam.

She was just... grateful.

He took two steps, then suddenly turned back, jabbing a finger at her. "Stay put in that shitty apartment of yours. When I’m done, I’m coming for you."

She smiled. "I’ll be waiting."

She watched him leave, then sat alone in the café for hours.

Melancholy? Regret?

She wasn’t sure.

Maybe tonight, she would have belonged to Liam.

But her heart—her traitorous heart—kept drifting back to him.

Why?

In that single month together, he had doubted her at every turn. Even when she had cared for his dying mother, he had shown no gratitude. He had nearly killed her.

So why couldn’t she forget him?

Sophia, you fool.

You can’t miss him.

You can’t.