They walked side by side for a few steps.

Sophia suddenly stopped.

Ethan turned to look at her. "What's wrong?"

Her gaze was calm as still water. "Divorce isn't child's play. Since we're already divorced, there's no turning back."

Ethan's brow furrowed slightly.

The words died on his lips.

Sophia took a deep breath. "Life is made up of countless fragments. Childhood is one fragment, youth another, and marriage yet another. Our fragment has ended."

Ethan's heart sank.

It felt like ice spreading through his chest.

There was no place for him in her life's blueprint anymore.

But what he wanted was to spend the rest of his life with her.

Not just be a passing figure in her story.

After a long silence, Ethan forced a smile. "You're only twenty-three. Why do you sound like some world-weary sage?"

Sophia ignored his teasing.

"Lingering attachments hurt the most. Better to make a clean break." Her tone was gentle but firm.

Each word cut into Ethan's heart like a knife.

He gazed at her quietly.

Those always-sparkling eyes now looked dull and lifeless.

So he was the only one who couldn't let go.

"Go ahead," he said, turning his face away, voice low.

Sophia nodded. "Goodbye."

"Goodbye." He couldn't bear to watch her walk away.

An assistant held an umbrella for Sophia as she got into the car.

"Mr. Sullivan has been working himself to the bone lately. On the surface he seems fine, but actually..." The assistant trailed off.

Sophia's heart clenched.

She looked at the figure standing in the rain.

The usually tall, straight-backed man now seemed slightly hunched.

How she wanted to run back and embrace him.

In the end, she just averted her eyes. "Time heals all wounds."

The assistant sighed. "Mr. Sullivan isn't the type to forget easily."

"Don't let him stand in the rain." Sophia closed the car door.

As the car started moving, Grace exhaled shakily. "The way your ex-husband looked at you just now—I didn't even dare breathe."

Sophia stared absently out the window. "He was just worried about me."

"He's cold to everyone else. Only you're different."

It was then Sophia realized.

The Sullivan mother and son kept others at arm's length, reserving their warmth solely for her.

The corners of her mouth lifted unconsciously.

But as she smiled, her eyes reddened.

In the rearview mirror, Ethan's car followed silently behind.

Only after seeing her safely home did it finally turn away.

Standing by the window, Sophia felt both warmth and ache in her heart.

After her shower, her phone rang.

"Sophia! Grant Auction House is having a Song Dynasty painting special next week!" Iris's excited voice came through.

Song Dynasty paintings represented the pinnacle of artistic achievement.

Sophia's heart raced. "Do we need tickets?"

"They're selling for astronomical prices! But you could ask Kyle Grant for help."

After a moment's hesitation, Sophia dialed Kyle's number.

"Mr. Grant, I heard you're hosting a Song Dynasty painting auction?"

His warm voice answered, "Would you like to attend?"

"Yes. May I bring a friend?"

"Of course. You don't need to repay me every time. Consider this normal between friends."

A week later, at the auction house.

Top collectors filled the venue.

Kyle had secured them prime seats.

The first lot was Emperor Huizong's "Birds on Blossoming Branches."

Twenty birds so lifelike they seemed ready to take flight, rendered in exquisite ink wash.

Bidding rose in a heated crescendo.

Starting at thirty million, it finally sold for eighty-eight million!

The room erupted in excitement.