Chapter 489

Sophia wrinkled her nose in distaste. "This setup looks like a funeral parlor."

Ethan's expression darkened instantly. "Since when do funeral parlors use red candles?"

"That's what makes it creepy."

"..."

A vein throbbed at Ethan's temple. "Sophia, I must have been out of my mind to plan a surprise for you."

This woman had zero appreciation for romance.

His carefully arranged candlelit dinner was completely wasted.

Damn Zachary and his terrible single-guy advice.

After the waitstaff cleared the decorations, Ethan finally noticed Sophia's outfit as she took her seat. His pupils constricted sharply. "This is what you wear to a date?"

Sophia glanced down at her loose sundress. "Problem?"

"It's practically a nightgown!" Flames of anger flickered in his eyes. "Any woman would dress up for someone she cares about. But you? You deliberately wore this to provoke me?"

Sophia scoffed. "Only if that someone is worth dressing up for."

Ethan's face changed. "Then who is worth it for you?"

She leisurely cut into her steak. "That's not a question your surveillance team has the right to ask."

His brows knitted tightly. "They're bodyguards, not spies."

"I don't need them."

"Forgotten about last time you got hurt already?"

Sophia's face remained impassive. "Turns out I'm safer when you're not around."

"Are you saying I'm the danger?"

"Aren't you?"

"..."

Ethan's expression turned stormy.

Watching him seethe, Sophia cheerfully polished off her steak.

The restaurant really was excellent.

She continued devouring her meal, utterly ignoring the man across from her.

Ethan slammed his cutlery down with a sharp clang. "Keep eating like that and you'll balloon into a whale."

Pregnancy had given Sophia a ravenous appetite. She eyed Ethan's untouched steak. "Not hungry?"

"..."

He swallowed back the word "no" and gritted out, "Too rare."

"Medium-well is perfect."

"I prefer well-done."

"Well-done is like chewing leather."

"My teeth are strong enough."

Sophia muttered under her breath, "Like a dog with a bone."

"What did you say?"

She dabbed her lips primly. "So you're not calling off the bodyguards?"

"No."

"Fine."

She nodded. "I'll file a police report tomorrow about suspicious stalkers."

Ethan laughed bitterly. "Sophia, you're ruthless."

"Better than being controlled."

Sophia rose to leave.

He grabbed her wrist abruptly. "Where are you going?"

"Restroom."