Ethan had waited three long years for this moment.

When Sophia slid her ID and household registration documents across the table, his fingers trembled slightly.

He forced composure as he flipped through the papers. "Where's the divorce certificate?"

The corners of Sophia's lips lifted. "Upstairs."

She started to rise, but he seized her wrist.

Her fingertips were ice-cold.

Ethan enveloped her hand in his palm. "No rush. We can deal with it tomorrow."

Sophia leaned against his shoulder.

His chest tightened at the silver strands barely visible in her hair.

She touched her cheek. "Have I gotten ugly?"

Ethan pulled her into his embrace, pressing his face against her chilled skin. "You'll recover."

"What if I never do?"

"Then I'll grow old with you." His low chuckle rumbled. "I'm three years older anyway."

Sophia's nose stung.

Ethan retrieved an iron supplement. "Drink this."

She obediently swallowed.

Late at night, Sophia curled under the blankets, limbs frozen.

Since the bone marrow donation, her body had become a sieve, warmth slipping through like wind.

"Is the heater on?"

"It is." Ethan added another quilt over her.

He pressed her icy feet against his abdomen.

"Don't—" Sophia tried to pull away.

"Stay still." His voice turned hoarse. "I need the cooling."

The needle marks on Sophia's waist began throbbing.

She bit her lip and burrowed closer. "Is it raining?"

Ethan's palm covered her lower back. "Mhm."

"Any regrets?" he suddenly asked.

Sophia shook her head. "Only that I failed you."

Ethan fell silent for a long moment.

"When my mother was pregnant with me, my grandfather needed a kidney transplant." His voice darkened. "My father chose to save me. After Grandpa died, they became strangers."

Sophia's heart clenched.

She kissed his jaw. "After I recover, I'll give you two children."

Ethan's Adam's apple bobbed. "Don't tempt me."

Sophia scrambled backward in mock alarm.

At dawn, Sophia called Vincent. "Dad, Ethan and I are remarrying. When will you and Mom get your license?"

"Evelyn's documents are being withheld by Theodore." Vincent's voice turned icy.

Sophia tightened her grip on the phone. "Leave it to me."

She headed straight to the lab.

Two hours later, she emerged clutching two small vials.

Before Valentine Corporation's towering glass facade, Sophia gazed upward with a cold smile.

Alexander had cleared her path—she reached the penthouse unimpeded.

Theodore didn't glance up from his furious writing when she entered. "What do you want?"

Sophia went straight for the jugular. "My mother's papers."

Theodore scoffed. "What does Vincent see in her? Her madness? Her age?"

"Weren't you once drawn to her youth and beauty?" Sophia fired back.

Theodore slammed the desk. "Get out!"

Sophia turned and locked the door.

"What are you doing?" Theodore's face contorted.