The stainless steel kettle rolled twice across the floor before coming to a stop.

Willow Grant's fingers trembled slightly.

Richard Grant's gaze cut through her like a blade. "Just hearing his name makes you drop things now?"

"My hand slipped." She bent to pick it up, nails digging into her palms.

Her back remained rigid as she faced away from him.

Twenty years.

That name still burned like a branding iron, searing her insides.

The water dispenser hummed loudly.

Water overflowed, soaking her slippers.

"It's full," Richard's voice came from behind.

Willow jerked the switch off.

She mechanically wiped the floor, the spreading puddle mirroring her crumbling facade.

"I heard he's forcing some girl to marry within ten days." Richard stirred his tea leisurely. "I suggested she marry our Kyle instead."

The teaspoon clinked against the cup.

Willow's rag slipped from her fingers.

"Her name's Sophia Laurent." Richard blew on his tea. "Benjamin Laurent's granddaughter."

Willow's pupils contracted violently.

She turned and bolted upstairs, slippers slapping erratically against the steps.

Watching the shaking banister, Richard's lips curled into a cold smile.

Three days later, California beach.

Fine sand trickled between Sophia's toes, tickling her.

Ethan Sullivan suddenly grasped her hand.

The sea breeze lifted her skirt, revealing golden sand grains clinging to her ankles like glitter.

"See something interesting?" Sophia's ears burned.

Ethan thumbed the callus on her palm. "Thinking how to kidnap you home."

Sophia kicked up a spray of sand. "Since when did CEO Sullivan become so smooth?"

"Truth." He tucked windblown hair behind her ear. "The company might change hands soon."

Sophia froze mid-step.

"Because of me?"

Ethan squeezed her fingers. "Inevitable anyway."

Waves lapped at her cuffs.

Suddenly Sophia threw herself against his chest.

Amid the salty air, she caught his subtle agarwood scent.

"Worth it?" Her voice muffled against him.

Ethan nipped her earlobe. "You're worth more than money."

Hotel bathroom steamed with condensation.

Ethan stared at the blurred silhouette behind frosted glass, Adam's apple bobbing.

When the water stopped, Sophia emerged wrapped in damp rose fragrance.

He seized her nape and kissed her hard.

The kiss turned savage, her robe belt coming undone—

Until the bedside phone erupted in violent vibrations.

Caller ID: Kyle Grant.

Ethan froze mid-motion.

Snatching his cigarettes, he strode to the window. The lighter clicked three times before catching.

"Jade Nectar." Kyle's voice iced through the receiver. "For scar removal."

Sophia examined her left hand. "It's almost healed—"

"Delivery tomorrow."

After the call, tobacco drifted in from the balcony.

Sophia hugged Ethan from behind. "He's being excessively kind to me."

Ash dropped onto Ethan's knuckles.

He didn't feel the burn.

"Changing grooms?" His own voice startled him with its roughness.