Chapter 492

"Go ahead. Try me."

"I will."

"..."

Sophia's chest tightened with suffocating frustration. Her nails dug crescent moons into her palms.

"You're being unreasonable."

Ethan Roscente's lips curled into a cold smirk. "My rules are absolute."

Her gaze turned glacial. "You always resort to intimidation."

"You started this." His eyes darkened like gathering storm clouds. "After everything I've done for you, you run to another man? What am I to you, Sophia?"

"That's not—"

"You'd rather I disappeared."

"Liar!" Her voice trembled. "You're the one twisting facts."

"Me?" His stare could flay skin. "When you complained to Sebastian about how I mistreat you, was that twisting facts too?"

A familiar ache bloomed in her ribs. Their arguments always followed this destructive script.

Perhaps their meeting had been a cosmic mistake.

"Was he wrong?" Her eyes glistened. "Forcing me into things I hate. Humiliating me for Isabella's sake. Having your guards stalk me—aren't these the gifts you've given me?"

"That was protection!" Veins stood out on his temples. "And don't drag Isabella into this."

A tearful laugh escaped her. "Right. A secret lover like me shouldn't mention your future Mrs. Roscente."

His expression turned murderous. "Say that again and get out."

"Gladly."

She sank her teeth into his wrist.

Ethan recoiled with a hiss.

Sophia wrenched free and fled toward the door.

Blood welled from the bite mark on his hand. Watching her retreating figure, he roared, "Walk out that door, and don't expect to return!"

The slam of the door was her only reply.

CRACK!

His fist shattered the floor-to-ceiling window. Shards rained down as crimson droplets bloomed across the marble tiles.

——

The night air carried a chill.

Sophia wandered aimlessly under streetlights that stretched her shadow into a lonely ribbon.

Everywhere, life mocked her—couples holding hands, young parents with strollers, elderly neighbors exchanging greetings. Each happy scene pierced her heart.

Two years of suppressed anguish erupted. She crumpled onto a bench, hugging her knees as sobs wracked her body.

"Sophia?"

A black sedan pulled over. Sebastian Valdemar emerged, his brow furrowed.

She hastily wiped her face, only to meet his concerned gaze.

"Sebastian..." Her voice broke.

He draped his coat over her shaking shoulders. "Where's Ethan? He just abandoned you here?"