Chapter 493

Nathaniel was barely holding on. His legs gave out, forcing him to lean heavily against Sophia's shoulder.

He'd known for a long time that his sins were unforgivable. There was no path back to her.

Death was his only escape. But before that, he needed to see her one last time. To hold her.

The poison he'd taken before this meeting was already working its way through his veins.

"Sophia... this is what I deserve." His voice was weak, broken. "I regret so much... but never you. Never knowing you."

He gasped, struggling to keep his arms around her. "At least... I get to die in your arms."

Sophia's eyes burned with unshed tears. "Nathaniel Carter," she hissed, gripping his shirt. "You're still playing games. What kind of trick is this? A pity act?"

She shook him. "Tell me where Adrian is. Now. Three... two—"

From her seat across the room, Vivian watched the scene unfold. Too far to hear their words, but close enough to see the raw emotion.

Sophia had beaten him. Then embraced him. Now he was sobbing like a broken man.

It was messy. Complicated.

Vivian didn't interfere.

Nathaniel had been a bastard, but if he'd truly changed—if he loved Sophia—she'd let them have this.

Love made fools of everyone.

Even when you knew better.

Even when it was toxic.

Vivian took a slow sip of her drink, forcing her thoughts away from Ethan.

Then a waiter appeared, placing a crystal glass in front of her. A shimmering blue cocktail.

"From the gentleman over there, miss. A Midnight Tides."

She barely glanced at it. "Leave it."

Men had been buying her drinks all night. She wasn't interested.

The waiter hesitated. "He insisted you'd like it. Said it was your favorite."

Vivian froze.

Her fingers closed around the glass. One sip—and her entire body went rigid.

That flavor. That exact blend of vodka, mint, and lime.

Only one person had ever known this recipe.

She stood so fast her chair nearly toppled. "Where is he?"

The waiter blinked. "He left."

"Description. Now."

"Tall. Handsome. Cold expression—"

Vivian didn't wait for the rest. "Which way did he go?"

Her pulse roared in her ears.

Because that drink?

She'd created it for one person.

Ethan.

And if he was here—

If he was alive—

She was going to find him.