Chapter 381

Sophia was packing her luggage when she caught sight of two familiar figures in her peripheral vision.

Isabella clung to Zachary's arm, pulling her suitcase toward them.

Sophia's fingers stilled.

So Ethan wasn't here to collect debts—he was traveling for business, with Isabella in tow.

"Ethan, why are you walking so fast?" Isabella pouted, settling beside him and casually draping her hand over his arm.

Ethan's gaze flicked to Sophia, his lips curling in amusement. "Did I ask you to keep up?"

"You could at least wait for me," Isabella whined.

Their banter resembled that of a couple deeply in love.

Sophia's grip on her suitcase handle tightened, her knuckles turning white.

"Oh, Miss Lowell is here too?" Isabella feigned surprise, covering her mouth with a delicate hand.

Sophia forced a smile. "Miss Valentine."

"What a coincidence, running into you here." Isabella's smile was saccharine, her eyes raking over Sophia. "Where are you headed?"

"Back to Seattle."

"Oh—" Isabella drew out the syllable. "I heard you were transferred back?"

Sophia nodded.

"Will you be returning?"

Unaware of Ethan's piercing stare, she murmured, "No."

The man's expression darkened instantly.

"What a shame," Isabella sighed theatrically. "I was hoping to invite you to our wedding. The timing is so unfortunate—people might think you're avoiding us."

Sophia's lips curved into a faint smile. "You're overthinking it, Miss Valentine. Whether an outsider attends or not makes no difference."

She stood and walked toward the restroom, her back rigid.

Another second in their presence, and she might have suffocated.

Behind her, Ethan's low voice carried. "So eager to have her at the wedding?"

"Of course," Isabella cooed. "I still need a bridesmaid. Someone as beautiful as Miss Lowell would be perfect."

She playfully shook his arm. "You wouldn't object, would you?"

Ethan chuckled. "Beautiful women should be brides, not bridesmaids. What if I accidentally held the wrong hand?"

Isabella's face paled.

"Y-you're joking," she stammered, forcing a laugh.

The man regarded her with a smirk. "Test me."

Isabella's fingers trembled.

Sophia lingered near the platform until the boarding announcement echoed overhead. As she turned back, Isabella blocked her path.

"Something wrong?" Sophia eyed her warily.

Isabella's stare dropped to Sophia's abdomen, her lips twisting into a sneer. "Must be exhausting, running around in your condition."

Sophia's pulse spiked. Instinctively, she moved to shield her stomach.

"I don't know what you mean," she said evenly.

"Stop pretending." Isabella stepped closer. "Women like you always use cheap tricks to seduce men. Too bad Ethan won't even spare you a glance."

Seduce?

Sophia barked a laugh.

"Your imagination is impressive, Miss Valentine." She turned to leave.

Isabella seized her wrist. "Don't think I don't know your filthy schemes!"

Sophia wrenched free, her voice icy. "Control yourself."