Chapter 133

"We're just here for a check-up. What scheme could we possibly have?" Victoria Roscente protested with a stiff neck, but her eyes darted nervously.

Ethan Roscente let out a cold laugh. "Do you take me for a fool?"

Victoria clenched the hem of her dress. "Brother, Vivian went too far this time. Look what she did to Sophia."

"Sophia's study abroad plan is final. You're welcome to join her if you miss her so much." Ethan's voice was glacial.

Victoria immediately fell silent. Being exiled overseas was the last thing she wanted.

In the hospital bed, Sophia Evans' eyelashes fluttered faintly. She had heard every word, her nails digging crescent moons into her palms.

It didn't matter. She still had an ace up her sleeve.

That child was her ultimate bargaining chip.

"Ethan..." She opened her eyes weakly, voice trembling with tears. "My foot hurts so much..."

"The scans show nothing wrong." Ethan remained impassive. "Theo's been asking for you. Go see him."

Victoria took the hint and slipped out of the room.

As the door clicked shut, Sophia's tears spilled over. "Ethan, I really just came for treatment. Dr. Laurent hates me, I know..."

She lifted her tear-streaked face. "In my whole life, only Alexander ever truly cared for me. If he were still here—"

Ethan's expression darkened instantly.

Alexander Roscente. His illegitimate half-brother. That unacknowledged name was his deepest wound.

Sophia's tears fell harder. "I know you find me repulsive. I'll leave."

She suddenly grabbed Ethan's hand. "But my feelings for you are real! I used to love Alexander, but now—"

"Enough!" Ethan wrenched his hand away.

"Then tell me," Sophia choked out between sobs, "what about Vivian? Do you love her?"

Ethan's breath hitched.

"No." The word left his lips before he could stop it.

Even he wasn't sure if it was the truth.