Ethan Sullivan tightened his embrace around Sophia Laurent. "Which country would you like to visit?"

Sophia stared blankly out the window. "Somewhere far away. A place where no one knows us."

Ethan turned to his assistant. "Arrange a trip to a beautiful island."

"Understood, Mr. Sullivan."

He clasped Sophia's cold hand. "Let's go see the doctor."

In the doctor's office, the fluorescent lights cast a pale glow.

"IVF failures are common," the doctor adjusted his glasses. "You're only twenty-six. The success rate is still high."

Sophia's voice trembled. "What about the embryos...?"

"They'll pass naturally. There's no harm to your body."

The sky was overcast when they left the hospital.

Inside the car, Ethan's gaze turned icy. "Make sure Hua Qirou is properly 'taken care of' in prison."

His assistant immediately made the call.

Ethan's phone vibrated.

"Well?" Victor Sullivan's voice came through.

"It failed."

A long silence followed.

"Don't let anyone disturb Sophia," Ethan said darkly. "Every mention is another wound."

After hanging up, Victor slapped himself hard.

He grabbed the landline. "When is Hua Qirou's execution scheduled?"

"It's a suspended death sentence, Chairman Sullivan."

"Too lenient," Victor gritted his teeth. "Make sure she suffers."

Next, he dialed Adrian Sullivan. "Still haven't found Isabella?"

"She's hiding deep..."

"Useless!" Victor snapped. "That bastard child won't bear the Sullivan name!"

The call ended with a sharp click.

Adrian stared at the black screen, his eyes simmering with malice.

Two weeks later, Sicily.

Sophia's hair danced in the sea breeze against the azure sky.

"Since I can remember, I've been fighting," she watched the waves. "School, restoration work, taking care of you, proving myself..."

Ethan let her lean against his shoulder.

"Old Victor already surrendered," he chuckled. "Just too proud to admit it."

Sophia turned to him. "This time, he didn't blame me."

"He's learning," Ethan's gaze softened. "When I couldn't sleep as a child, he'd sing off-key lullabies."

Sophia burst into laughter.

The assistant hurried over. "Mr. Sullivan, the project requires your attention."

Ethan kissed her forehead. "I'll be back soon."

Sophia lounged under the shade, four bodyguards stationed nearby.

Dark clouds suddenly gathered overhead.

"Something's wrong!" Sophia bolted upright.

A fierce wind erupted, and waves surged meters high.

"Tornado! Go!" she shouted at the guards.

The monstrous waves crashed onto the shore.

In an instant, the beach was in chaos.

When Ethan arrived, only churning waters remained.

"Sophia!" His cry was torn apart by the gale.

Her phone stayed off.

No trace of her in the raging sea.

He tore off his jacket, ready to dive in.

"Mr. Sullivan! It's too dangerous!" The assistant clung to him.

Ethan shoved him aside. "She can't wait!"

Before the words faded, he plunged into the furious ocean.