The black sedan glided to a stop before the Vanderbilt estate.

Ethan adjusted his suit collar, his slender fingers tightening the cufflinks.

His assistant opened the car door with practiced deference.

Long legs unfolded as polished Oxfords gleamed coldly in the sunlight.

"Are the bags secured?" he asked without turning.

The bodyguard responded immediately. "Already in the trunk, sir."

Frederick Vanderbilt's mansion perched on the hillside, its courtyard alive with blooming magnolias.

Ethan stood at the entrance, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly.

He smoothed nonexistent wrinkles from his dress shirt.

The doorbell chimed three times before a servant answered.

"Mr. Sullivan!" Frederick greeted with delighted surprise. "You should have called ahead."

The corner of Ethan's mouth lifted. "I was in the neighborhood."

His gaze swept the living room, finding no trace of the person he sought.

Frederick chuckled knowingly. "Sophia's still in her studio. That girl forgets to eat when she's working."

Ethan's eyes darkened.

He lifted a teacup, his knuckles whitening around the porcelain.

After three cups, he rose and strode into the garden.

Beneath the magnolia tree, he stared at the dappled shadows.

That unborn child...

"Mr. Sullivan?"

A honeyed voice shattered his thoughts.

Zoe Riveron approached in stiletto heels, her designer dress swaying.

Ethan's expression frosted over.

"What a coincidence," Zoe purred, tossing her hair. "Fancy meeting you here."

He acknowledged her with a terse hum.

"This magnolia—"

"My wife loves them," Ethan cut in sharply.

Zoe's smile stiffened.

A breeze carried the familiar scent of gardenias.

Ethan whirled around.

Sophia stood on the veranda, her white sundress fluttering in the wind.

He closed the distance between them. "Sophia."

The urgency in his voice was unmistakable.

Zoe made a discreet exit.

Amidst the swaying shadows, Ethan caged Sophia between his arms.

"Why didn't you answer my calls?" he murmured.

She tilted her face up. "My phone died."

"Too busy to charge it?" His thumb brushed the shadows beneath her eyes.

Sophia laughed softly. "Is this an interrogation, Mr. Sullivan?"

"I came for an answer." His gaze burned. "What's the meaning of that sixteen million?"

Suddenly she rose on tiptoe.

Her warm lips grazed his ear. "Buying you."

Ethan's breath hitched.

"Everyone says I'm after your money." She stepped back, eyes shining like stars. "Now I'm returning it—I just want the man."

He crushed her against his chest.

His heartbeat thundered between them.

"Foolish woman." Sophia's muffled laughter vibrated against him. "You're all I've ever wanted."