The sunlight was blinding on the day Theodore Valentine was discharged from the hospital.

He instructed his driver to stop outside Sophia Laurent's villa, then hobbled to the wrought-iron gate with a cane. The black ornamental bars fragmented his haggard face.

"Sophia!" His hoarse shout pierced the air. "Your father's come to see you!"

In the garden gazebo, Sophia's paintbrush stilled.

She set down her brush and walked slowly toward the gate. When her bodyguard moved to intercept, she raised a hand to stop him.

Theodore's eyes brightened. "Sophia, I was wrong!" Suddenly, he slapped himself hard across the face.

The sharp crack startled sparrows from the trees.

Sophia watched his performance impassively.

Slap! Slap! Slap! He struck himself repeatedly until stars danced in his vision. "I'm despicable! Choosing that bastard over you—I'm not human!"

A faint smile touched Sophia's lips. "Keep going."

Theodore froze.

His tactic had failed.

The growl of an engine approached.

Ethan Sullivan emerged from his Maybach, his tailored suit immaculate, expression icy.

"Ethan!" Theodore clutched at this lifeline. "Talk some sense into Sophia. All men make mistakes—"

"Don't speak for all men," Ethan cut him off. "Not everyone shares your flaws."

Theodore's face turned ashen. "I...I can give Sophia company shares."

Sophia laughed softly. "How's your kidney function these days, Mr. Valentine?"

His pupils contracted violently.

Without another word, Sophia turned away. This hypocrite wasn't worth another glance.

Evening wind swirled fallen leaves around Theodore's hunched, solitary figure.

No sooner had he left than Victor Sullivan arrived, beaming.

"Daughter-in-law!" His face glowed with enthusiasm. "Let me treat you both to dinner!"

At the restaurant, Victor gloated between bites. "That old fox Theodore finally knows regret? Serves him right!"

Ethan gave him a sidelong glance. "Have you forgotten Mother's divorce papers?"

Victor's smile vanished.

When Sophia answered Kyle Grant's call, staccato heels echoed down the hallway.

Isabella Valentine appeared, her face ghostly pale, accosting everyone: "Have you seen my mother?"

Spotting Sophia, her spines bristled. "What are you smirking at, you country bumpkin?"

Sophia's smile deepened. "Isabella Ulrich, your real father's name is Hammer Ulrich."

The words struck like lightning.

Isabella fled back to the Valentine estate—only to find her belongings dumped outside.

A bodyguard stated coldly, "Mr. Valentine says get lost."

Her world shattered.

Adrian Sullivan sneered when she called: "I don't date down."

Ethan's response was even crueler: "Don't disgust me."

By the midnight river, the wind cut like knives.

Isabella stood at the railing, her tears whipped away by the gale. Staring into the inky waters, she leaped.

The plash of her impact sent up a towering spray.