ETHAN'S POV
I couldn't sleep. The image of Claire's face when she answered that phone call haunted me. She'd gone pale, her hand trembling as she whispered a name I never wanted to hear again.
Sophia.
It had to be a mistake. A prank call. Sophia was gone—had been for five years. She'd made her choice when she left me standing at the altar like a fool.
I paced my study, bourbon untouched on my desk. The grandfather clock ticked loudly in the corner, marking each second of this endless night.
Why did I care so much about Claire's reaction? This was just business. A contract. A solution to a problem.
Yet I'd kissed her hand in the car. I'd wanted to kiss more.
"Damn it," I muttered, running a hand through my hair.
My phone rang, startling me. Daniel.
"Do you know what time it is?" I answered.
"We need to talk." His voice was tight. "Now."
Twenty minutes later, Daniel burst into my study, looking like he hadn't slept either.
"Tell me Claire didn't get a call tonight," he demanded.
My stomach dropped. "How did you know?"
Daniel threw a crumpled photo on my desk. "Because I've been getting messages too. About Sophia."
I stared at the photograph—Sophia and me on my yacht, laughing into the camera. I remembered that day perfectly. Three months before she vanished.
"Where did you get this?" I asked, my voice dangerously quiet.
"Claire's trash."
"You went through her trash?" I stood up, anger flaring. "What the hell, Daniel?"
"That's not the point!" Daniel jabbed a finger at the photo. "Look at the back."
I flipped it over. In Sophia's loopy handwriting: "Remember what you promised. What we built won't last if you forget."
My blood ran cold. "What does this mean?"
"You tell me," Daniel said. "What did you promise her, Ethan?"
"Nothing!" I slammed my fist on the desk. "There was no secret promise. No hidden agenda. I loved her, she left. End of story."
Daniel studied my face. "Someone's playing games with us. With Claire."
I thought of Claire's pale face, her whispered "Sophia?" The sudden protectiveness I felt surprised me.
"I need to check on her," I said, moving toward the door.
Daniel raised an eyebrow. "At three in the morning?"
I stopped, conflicted. What was happening to me? Since when did I rush to anyone's side?
"She's fine," Daniel said more gently. "I texted Emily. Claire's asleep."
I nodded, relieved yet disappointed. "What do we do about these messages?"
"First, we find out if it's really Sophia." Daniel sat down, suddenly looking tired. "And if it is... we figure out what she wants."
"She can't have anything," I said flatly. "Not anymore."
Daniel gave me a long look. "Are you sure about that, brother?"
I didn't answer. I wasn't sure of anything anymore.
Monday morning came with a board meeting I couldn't postpone. Claire insisted on returning to work despite my objections.
"I'm fine, Ethan," she said, her voice firm as we rode the elevator to the executive floor. "I need to do my job."
"You need to rest," I countered, noting the shadows under her eyes. Had she slept at all after that call?
"I've rested enough." She straightened her blazer. "Besides, there are rumors about why I was gone. I need to show everyone I'm okay."
The elevator doors opened, and immediately all eyes turned to us. The office fell silent as we walked through.
Claire held her head high, smiling politely at her coworkers. I admired her strength, even as worry gnawed at me.
"Mrs. Carter, welcome back," my assistant, Ms. Peterson, said with a forced smile. She'd been filling in for Claire and clearly resented her return.
"Thank you, Ms. Peterson." Claire was nothing but professional. "I appreciate you holding down the fort."
As Claire settled at her desk, I watched her from my office doorway. Something had changed between us. Something I couldn't name and wasn't sure I wanted to.
The board meeting was brutal. Victor Reynolds, our main competitor and Sophia's father, sat across from me with a smug smile.
"Congratulations on your... hasty marriage, Ethan," he said during a break. "Quite a surprise to us all."
I kept my face neutral. "Thank you."
"Your assistant, wasn't she?" His eyes gleamed with malice. "Interesting choice after my daughter."
My jaw tightened. "Claire is my wife now. That's all that matters."
"Is it?" Victor leaned closer. "The board wonders about your judgment these days. First the Russell merger falling through, now this impulsive marriage..."
"My marriage is not up for discussion," I said coldly.
Victor shrugged. "When the CEO's personal life affects company stock, it becomes everyone's business."
I wanted to punch the smile off his face. Instead, I simply said, "Claire is the best decision I've made in five years. The board would be wise to remember that."
As the meeting resumed, I noticed Daniel watching me with surprise. Had I really just defended Claire so strongly? To Victor Reynolds, of all people?
Later that afternoon, I found Claire in the conference room, organizing files for tomorrow's presentation. She looked tired but determined.
"You should go home," I said from the doorway. "Get some rest."
She didn't look up. "I'm almost done."
"Claire." I moved closer. "About that phone call..."
Her hands froze. "I don't want to talk about it."
"We need to." I sat across from her. "If it was really Sophia—"
"It was." Claire finally met my eyes. "She wants to meet with me."
My stomach knotted. "Absolutely not."
"Don't I get a say?" Her voice was quiet but firm.
"No," I said, more harshly than intended. "Whatever game she's playing, I won't let her drag you into it."
Claire studied my face. "Are you worried about me, Ethan? Or yourself?"
The question hit too close to home. Was I protecting Claire, or was I afraid of facing my past?
"Both," I admitted.
Something softened in her eyes. She reached across the table, her fingers barely touching mine. "I can handle myself. I've been doing it for years."
The small contact sent warmth through me. I wanted to pull her into my arms, to shield her from whatever storm was coming.
Instead, I said, "Let me drive you home."
In the car, silence stretched between us until Claire said, "What did Victor Reynolds want today?"
I glanced at her, surprised. "How did you know about that?"
"Ms. Peterson talks." Claire smiled slightly. "A lot."
"He was being Victor." I focused on the road. "Trying to rattle me."
"Did it work?"
I thought about what I'd said to him. About Claire being my best decision.
"No," I said truthfully. "It didn't."
When we reached the mansion, I walked Claire to her door, just like after the gala. This time, though, something pulled at me—a need to be closer, to make sure she was safe.
"Thank you for the bracelet," she said suddenly. "It's beautiful."
I nodded, pleased she was wearing it. The key charm had felt right somehow.
"Ethan," she said hesitantly, "if Sophia is back... what does that mean for us?"
The question hung between us, heavy with unspoken implications.
"Nothing changes," I said firmly. "Our arrangement stands."
Claire's face fell slightly. Had she wanted a different answer?
I found myself stepping closer, drawn to her in a way I couldn't explain. My hand reached up, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Get some rest," I whispered.
She looked up at me, her hazel eyes filled with something that made my heart race. "Ethan..."
My phone shattered the moment, vibrating loudly. Daniel's name flashed on the screen.
"I should take this," I said reluctantly.
Claire nodded, disappearing into her room.
"What is it?" I answered, frustrated by the interruption.
"Ethan." Daniel's voice was deadly serious. "Someone broke into my apartment. They left something for you."
"What?"
"A sonogram." Daniel paused. "With your name on it. And
Sophia's."
My world tilted sideways.
"What are you saying?" I demanded, though I already knew.
"I'm saying," Daniel replied, "that Sophia might be back. And she might have your child."