Chapter 30
The silent night was broken by a low murmur over the phone.
"Clara, I'm in pain."
A subtle tremor laced the man's voice.
Sophia Sullivan's heart clenched.
Ethan Roscente always pushed himself too hard, never admitting weakness.
Drinking until his stomach bled, skipping meals during overtime—these were routine for him.
Once, Sophia had poured her heart into nursing his health back.
She meticulously prepared three meals a day and even learned massage techniques specifically for him.
It took a long time to finally heal his stomach issues.
In return, he found her bothersome, even snapping that she was acting like his mother.
Those buried memories resurfaced, but her pang of heartache was fleeting.
Her voice was cold. "I'm not a doctor. Go to the hospital if you're in pain."
Ethan's knuckles were white, but he persisted. "I want the porridge you make."
Silence stretched between them, a quiet battle of wills.
Finally, Sophia ended the call.
Ethan remained frozen, phone in hand, his expression grim.
A nurse asked tentatively, "Sir, are you alright?"
He didn't answer, just closed his eyes wearily.
...
Early the next morning, Sophia was already up.
She called Charlie Lowell.
"Feeling better? Still want some oatmeal porridge?"
Half-asleep, Charlie jolted awake at her voice.
"Sophia! Your porridge was amazing. I'd love more!"
Sophia didn't expose his pretense, simply telling him to come by on time.
Her relationship with Ethan was over. This was all she could do.
...
Ethan rested at home for a few days, gradually recovering.
Isabella Langley visited his Beverly Hills mansion daily, bringing porridge each time.
He always told her to leave it, saying he'd have it later.
Today was no different. Isabella set down the porridge and snuggled close.
"Baby, I'm so glad you're better. I've been so worried."
Ethan smiled faintly. "No classes lately?"
She pouted playfully. "I skipped them. My boyfriend comes first."
Ethan froze for a second.
He remembered when he first started dating Sophia.
He had wanted her to skip class to be with him, but she had firmly refused.
They had given each other the silent treatment for three days before he finally apologized.
After that, their dates often happened during her lectures.
He would watch her study, never tiring of her focused expression.
How did two people who loved each other so much end up like this?
His gaze grew distant, as if looking through Isabella at someone else.
Noticing his distraction, she shook his arm. "Baby, what's wrong?"
He snapped back to reality. "I'm fine now. Focus on your classes. You don't need to come by anymore."
"The company is busy. I won't have time for you."
Isabella nodded with a smile, but it vanished the moment she stepped outside.
Hesitating briefly, she called Julian Winston.
"Julian, Ethan seems upset. Did Sophia do something again?"
Julian, busy flirting at a bar, answered offhandedly, "She just made porridge a couple times."
Isabella gritted her teeth, her eyes turning icy.
The next morning, she found Sophia in the library.
"Ethan is my boyfriend. Please keep your distance."
Sophia looked up from her problems, amused. "Don't worry. I have no interest in stealing him away."
After Isabella left, Sophia returned to her work.
At dusk, she ran into Henry Lorenz outside the library.
She still felt bad about their last meal being interrupted by Amelia Roscente.
"Let me properly treat you to dinner today. I'll cook."
Henry's face lit up with surprise. "I'd love that."
They walked away chatting and laughing, unaware of the black sedan watching from a distance.
Ethan gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles white.
He had waited all day, only to see her laughing happily with another man.
And it wasn't even the same man from the restaurant.
If her goal was to make him jealous, she had succeeded.
Ethan followed their car, trailing them to a shabby, narrow alley.
The walls were stained and peeling, moss grew in patches, the atmosphere was oppressive.
Charlie had mentioned she lived modestly, but he never imagined it was this bad.
The car couldn't fit down the narrow lane, so he got out and followed on foot.
The two ahead remained completely unaware.