Sophia turned her face away sharply, her wary gaze fixed on his approaching handsome features. "Don't come any closer."

Ethan's slender fingers lifted her chin as he chuckled lowly. "Why so nervous? I won't bite."

"You promised we'd divorce." Sophia pressed against his chest, her fingertips trembling slightly.

"Who was it that said 'no divorce' at the hospital today?" He leaned in, his warm breath brushing her ear.

The tips of Sophia's ears flushed pink. "I was just angry at Isabella."

Ethan's eyes darkened. "I took it seriously."

She averted her gaze. "I don't want to right now..."

"That's not what you said when you were teasing me earlier." His deep voice carried playful mockery.

"I wasn't!" Sophia's neck flushed pink with frustration, like roses blooming in snow—delicate yet radiant.

Ethan's thumb traced her slightly parted lips. "Like this, you're even more alluring."

Alluring?

The word made Sophia's heart skip a beat.

She shrank back. "Can you leave first?"

Ethan tucked a damp strand of her hair behind her ear. "Together."

Before she could react, he lifted her from the bathtub. Warm droplets slid down her smooth skin as he wrapped her in a towel and carried her to the bedroom.

The bed dipped under their weight. He gently pinned her injured hand above her head and nipped at her delicate collarbone. His kisses trailed downward, sending shivers through Sophia's body.

Her feeble resistance only fueled his desire, his kisses growing more fervent...

When the storm of passion subsided, Sophia lay breathless. "I thought you preferred women who were... bold."

Ethan twirled a lock of her hair around his finger. "What just happened was perfect." His voice carried post-coital satisfaction.

She didn't believe such sweet nothings, staring instead at his chiseled profile. Men could separate body from heart, while women couldn't.

"Mom's birthday is at the end of the month," he said suddenly. "You've been free lately. Come celebrate in the evening."

Sophia's lashes fluttered. "Wouldn't I be... boring like this?"

Ethan chuckled. "What just happened will keep me satisfied for a whole year."

"Stop it." She pretended to hit him, but he caught her wrist.

"I mean, you should smile more." He massaged her slender fingers. "You're too young to always be so tense."

"What should we get for your mom?"

"A purse. She's been obsessed with them lately."

"Okay."

After a moment of silence, Ethan took her bandaged hand. "Did I hurt you earlier?"

"No."

"Are your legs sore?"

Sophia shifted slightly. "Yes."

He pulled back the covers and began kneading her smooth calves with just the right pressure, working his way up from her ankles to her thighs, leaving no inch untouched.

Sophia flushed under his ministrations. They'd been married for three years—the first two marked by his brooding depression from his leg injury, her presence more out of obligation. Only in this past year had real feelings blossomed, only to be severed by his abrupt demand for separation.

Unbeknownst to her, tears welled in her eyes.

Mistaking them for passion, Ethan brushed his thumb across her damp lashes. "One more round, and the soreness will be gone."

"Nonsense..." Her protest was swallowed by his kiss.

The sudden ring of a phone shattered the moment.

Without looking, Ethan swiped to reject the call—but accidentally answered instead, broadcasting their intimacy to the caller.

Isabella hurled her phone onto the sofa in fury. "Mom, I can't take this anymore!"

Victoria touched the scar on her nose. "That Scarlet Lombardi is already sold to some backwater village, living a fate worse than death."

"Send Sophia there too!" Isabella's eyes gleamed with venom.

"No!" Victoria snapped. "We still haven't found the man who smashed your hand. This was his warning!"

Isabella clawed at her hair in frustration. "We've investigated for so long with no leads!"

"We even checked the call logs—Sophia has no idea who's protecting her." Victoria smirked. "What a fool, being guarded in the shadows without even knowing it."

"And she's just some country bumpkin!" Isabella sneered. "What does she have besides that pretty face?"

Meanwhile, the so-called "country bumpkin" lay exhausted in Ethan's arms, fast asleep.

Returning from his shower, Ethan gazed at her peaceful face for a long moment before finally pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"If you dream of someone else tonight..." he murmured, his fingers brushing her slightly swollen lips.