Chapter 395

Ethan Roscente's slender fingers gripped her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.

"Sophia, you're lying."

His piercing eyes seemed to see through every layer of her facade.

Sophia Lowell's lashes fluttered, her throat tightening. She was hiding something from him—a secret that could change everything between them.

"I..."

Before she could speak, her phone rang sharply.

Ethan frowned at the caller ID—Isabella Valentine. He gave Sophia's hand a reassuring squeeze before rising to answer by the window.

"Yes. Noon."

Three words. That was all it took to freeze Sophia's blood. She hugged her knees, nails digging into her palms.

So close.

She'd almost confessed the secret that would ruin her.

When Ethan returned, she'd curled into herself like a wounded animal.

"What were you going to say earlier?" He leaned down.

Sophia forced a brittle smile. "The medicine tastes bitter. I don't want it."

His brow furrowed as he reached for her forehead. "You're still feverish. Take it."

She jerked away. "I know my own body. You've done enough babysitting for one night, Mr. Roscente."

His eyes darkened. "Because of that call?"

"Don't flatter yourself." Her laugh was ice. "I just realized something."

"What?"

"That we should've never been anything more than debtor and creditor."

She met his stare head-on. "After all, who could love a creditor who treats them like a plaything?"

Ethan's expression turned dangerous. He seized her wrist. "Say that again."

She struggled uselessly against his grip.

"I said you disgust me." Each word was a dagger. "Now. Let. Go."

The air turned to glass.

Ethan studied her defiant glare—and suddenly smiled. "Sophia Lowell, you're a terrible actress."

He closed the distance, breath hot against her ear. "The harder you push me away, the more I will uncover what you're hiding."