Chapter 172

Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Vivian Laurent stood at the corner of the hallway, catching a glimpse of Ethan Roscente's tender smile as he turned his head.

"I've missed you too," his deep voice carried clearly to her ears.

Her fingers tightened around the file folder in her grip.

Just ten minutes ago, this same man had promised to take responsibility for her—even mentioned marriage.

Now he was whispering sweet nothings to another woman over the phone.

A cold laugh escaped her lips as her nails dug into her palms.

What a bastard.

She spun on her heel and strode away, the sharp click of her heels echoing across the marble floor.

On the other end of the line, a little boy's voice piped up. "Uncle Ethan, when are you coming to see Theo? I miss you so much. Mommy misses you too."

Sophia Evans knelt beside her son, silently mouthing the rehearsed lines to him.

"Uncle Ethan, Mommy's been sick these days. She cries all the time," Theo said with a pout. "Did you and Mommy fight?"

Ethan's brow furrowed slightly. "We didn't fight."

"Then have you forgiven Mommy?" the boy pressed. "She said she did something wrong and you won't forgive her."

Sophia held her breath, eyes fixed on the phone screen.

"That's between adults," Ethan replied flatly.

Theo's voice suddenly trembled. "But Theo only has Mommy now..."

A smug smile curled Sophia's lips. She knew Ethan doted on his nephew.

Sure enough, after a brief silence, his voice came through. "Fine."

"Really? You forgive Mommy?" Theo's eyes lit up.

"Mhm." Ethan's response was curt.

Theo cheered and thrust the phone at Sophia. "Mommy! Uncle Ethan says he forgives you!"

Sophia took the phone, her voice instantly softening. "Ethan, Theo shouldn't have bothered you like this—"

"Take care of him," Ethan interrupted.

"Wait!" she hurried on. "I was wrong last time. I shouldn't have done that. You can yell at me, even hit me if you want—"

"It's in the past." His tone turned icy.

Sophia bit her lip. "That night...did you end up with someone else?"

Her greatest fear was that the spiked drink had gone to Vivian instead.