Chapter 114
Ethan hadn’t gone far. He lingered by the staircase, his fingers digging into the railing as he listened to the chaos unfolding inside.
A sharp crash reverberated through the room, and his entire body tensed.
The unmistakable shatter of glass filled the air—Sophia had lost control, smashing every wine bottle in her fury.
Normally, Ethan would have taken a deep breath, swallowed his anger, and gone in to soothe her. Their arguments had always been fleeting, more playful bickering than anything serious.
But not this time.
The tension was thicker, sharper, like a blade pressed between them. Something had shifted.
Sophia wasn’t the same woman he remembered.
He could still recall those early days, when she’d blush and cling to his arm, laughing shyly whenever someone teased them about their relationship.
“Ethan’s like a brother to me,” she’d say, giggling.
Now, those words cut deep.
So she saw her ex-husband as a brother too? How many brothers did she have?
The comparison festered, spreading like a crack in glass, unstoppable.
His expression darkened. Irritation coiled in his chest as he snatched his car keys, ready to leave and clear his head.
But before he could take another step, Eleanor’s voice sliced through the air behind him, sharp and unyielding.
“Ethan, you can’t seriously be leaving alone on your wedding night. If anyone sees you, think of the scandal it would bring our family. This is your big day—we must show strength. Remember, as long as you hold your head high, no one will dare mock us behind our backs.”
She approached, placing a calculatedly gentle hand on his shoulder, her tone deceptively soft.
“Go calm Sophia down. This time, her ex-husband has brought a fortune—ten million dollars. Her parents may be shrewd, but they’re not particularly clever.”
A cold smirk curled at the edge of her lips.
“People like them are easy to manipulate. If we faced someone truly intelligent, our family would struggle to maintain control.”
Ethan hesitated, her words sinking in like poison. His jaw clenched, fingers tightening around the keys.
Behind the closed door, Sophia’s sobs still reached him, tugging at something deep inside. Against his better judgment, his resolve wavered.
This was the woman he had longed for all these years.
Maybe Sophia was innocent. Maybe her ex-husband was just trying to ruin their happiness.
“I understand, Mother,” he finally said with a resigned sigh. “I’ll go back and comfort her.”
“Good.” Eleanor’s eyes narrowed as she watched him retreat to the bedroom. A slow, mocking smile curved her lips, satisfaction flickering in her gaze.
Love?
It was nothing but an illusion.
She had learned long ago that only self-interest held real weight.
Inside the room, Sophia sat on the edge of the bed, her delicate face twisted with anguish. Of all nights, it had to be their wedding night.
When the door opened, fresh tears spilled down her cheeks, perfectly timed to amplify her desperation.
Ethan approached slowly, wrapping his arms around her from behind. He wiped her tears away with gentle fingers.
“It’s alright,” he murmured, his breath warm against her skin. “I only said those things because I care about you. That’s why your ex-husband bothers me so much. I’m sorry, Sophia. It won’t happen again.”
He pressed a soft kiss to the corner of her trembling lips.
She leaned into him instinctively, seeking his warmth. Her wide, tear-filled eyes met his, her voice a fragile plea.
“Ethan, all I want is for you to trust me. You’re the only one I care about. Please… don’t doubt me anymore. You break my heart.”
“I won’t,” he promised.
With that, Sophia exhaled in relief. The tension between them dissolved, and a small, satisfied smile curved her lips.
Her objective had been achieved.
If she could bend Ethan to her will once, she could do it again—for the rest of their lives.
They kissed, their argument forgotten. Soon, they were lost in each other, consumed by passion.
But as Sophia closed her eyes, lost in pleasure, she didn’t see the dark shadow that crossed Ethan’s expression.
