Chapter 20

Sophia crouched down and poked the fluffy head of the calico cat with her fingertip.

"Little troublemaker, following me in secret?" She widened her eyes in mock anger.

The cat tilted its head, amber eyes darting mischievously before suddenly pouncing toward her shopping bag with a loud "Meow!"

"Greedy thing!" Sophia laughed, tearing open a packet of cat treats.

The calico immediately raised its tail, pink tongue lapping eagerly as it happily devoured the snack.

After feeding the cat, Sophia hummed a tune on her way home. But the moment she inserted her key into the lock, her smile froze.

The light seeping through the door crack sent a chill down her spine.

She distinctly remembered turning it off before leaving.

Her fingers trembled as she pushed the door open. Rustling sounds came from the living room. Holding her breath, she reached for her phone to call the police.

"Had enough fun?"

A deep male voice startled her, sending her phone clattering to the floor.

Ethan Roscente stepped out of the shadows, his long fingers toying with a photo frame. Inside it, Sophia and Daniel Clementson smiled brightly—a sight that now felt painfully mocking.

"Breaking into someone's home is illegal," Sophia forced out, feigning composure.

He smirked coldly before the frame shattered in his palm.

"That programmer isn't worthy of you."

Shards of glass reflected a cold glint, mirroring the icy look in his eyes. Sophia instinctively stepped back, only to press against the unyielding wall.

"Stay away from him," Ethan gripped her chin, his voice low and dangerous. "Or I can't guarantee what I'll do."

The familiar scent of cedarwood wrapped around her, laced with unspoken threats. Her eyes burned, but she stubbornly lifted her chin.

"We're over."

"Over?" He chuckled darkly, his thumb brushing the reddened corner of her eye. "The moment you saved me that night, you should've known you could never escape."

Memories flooded back—the rainy night five years ago when she had inexplicably dragged a bloodied man into her home. Now, she realized that was when the nightmare truly began.

"Ethan, you're absolutely—"

"Deranged?" He finished for her before abruptly sweeping her into his arms. "Then behave."

As the bedroom door slammed open with a deafening crash, Sophia shut her eyes in despair.

She should've known—once you invite the devil in, there's no easy way out.