Chapter 488

Sophia clenched the hem of her blouse. The bodyguard had been tailing her for three days straight. If this continued, he'd inevitably discover her pregnancy. Worse still, the constant surveillance made her skin crawl.

She had to confront Ethan Roscente.

The phone rang endlessly as she counted each tone. Just as she was about to hang up, his lazy voice dripped through the receiver. "What an unexpected call, Miss Lowell."

"We need to talk."

"That depends on the topic." His chuckle was infuriating. "If you're missing me, I'm free right now."

She bit her lower lip. The man was incorrigible.

"About that bodyguard—"

The line went dead.

Sophia hurled her phone onto the couch.

At dusk, knuckles rapped against her door. Peering through the peephole at the persistent guard, she yanked it open.

"Mr. Roscente requests your presence."

"Who does he think he is?" she scoffed.

Learning Ethan was in Seattle gave her pause. She changed into a flowy dress that concealed her bump.

The car stopped before an upscale restaurant. Sophia frowned at the neon sign—the most exclusive couples' venue in town.

"You're sure he's here?"

The guard nodded silently.

Pushing through the doors, her breath caught. The entire space had transformed into a sea of weeping jasmine blossoms, candlelight flickering between petals. A piano melody floated from the corner.

"Surprised?"

Ethan materialized behind her. She startled backward, only for his hand to steady her waist.

"Have you lost your mind?" She twisted free.

Instead of answering, he offered a jasmine bouquet. "Happy anniversary."

Sophia froze. She'd forgotten the date entirely.

"Do you like it?" His fingers brushed stray hairs behind her ear.

Candlelight sculpted his sharp features, mirroring their first meeting years ago. Dizziness washed over her. She gripped the nearest chairback.

"Are you unwell?" His gaze sharpened.

She evaded his reaching hand. "Call off your watchdog first."

Ethan's eyes darkened. "So that's what this is about?"

The piano's melody twisted abruptly—an ominous shift in the air.