“I have an urgent matter to attend to right now, Mother. We can discuss the divorce another time,” Ethan stated firmly, rising from his seat.

“Ethan…” Victoria began, but he was already walking out, leaving her alone with her mounting irritation.

Ethan slumped into his leather chair at Blackwood Enterprises, a heavy sense of failure pressing down on him. The team he’d dispatched to locate Isabella had returned empty-handed, with no new leads.

“Where could you be, Isabella?” he whispered into the silence.

Could she have truly left the city so quickly? With her limited means, a swift escape seemed nearly impossible. Someone must have assisted her.

A sudden realization jolted him. Lucas. It had to be Lucas.

He shot up from his desk, grabbed his coat, and rushed out of the office.

Arriving at Grant Manor, he found the estate unusually still and quiet.

“Mr. Grant departed on a business trip several days ago,” the butler informed him, his expression uneasy.

“Several days ago?” Ethan’s hopes plummeted. His only lead had evaporated. It was as if Isabella had vanished from the face of the earth.

“Damn it!” he cursed under his breath, slamming his fist against the doorframe in sheer frustration.

Later that evening, he sought refuge in the dimly lit corner of a downtown bar. Drink after drink failed to numb the ache in his chest. Visions of Isabella haunted him—her soft smile, her determined eyes the day she left.

“Isabella…” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.

“Ethan?” a soft voice inquired from beside him.

Sophia approached, her subtle perfume preceding her. She steadied his unsteady frame, a flicker of triumph in her gaze.

“What are you doing here?” Ethan asked, struggling to focus his blurred vision.

“I’m here to take you home,” Sophia replied with a gentle smile, guiding him out of the bar.

Inside a hotel room, she helped him onto the bed. Looking at his handsome features, a wave of excitement washed over her. She began unbuttoning his shirt, leaning in close.

“Isabella…” he mumbled, still calling out for another woman.

“Ethan, it’s me,” Sophia whispered, a flash of panic in her eyes.

As clarity returned, Ethan recoiled and shoved her away, his expression filled with pure disgust.

Sophia’s face paled, her eyes burning with fury. “It’s me, Sophia, Ethan,” she said, attempting to close the distance again.

“Get out!” His voice was ice-cold, rejecting her once more.

Sophia stood frozen, reeling from the humiliation. His heart still belonged to Isabella, even now.

With a furious glare, she stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

Inside her car, she slammed her palms against the steering wheel, her nails digging into the leather.

“Damn you, Ethan!” she seethed through gritted teeth.

His thoughts were consumed by Isabella, not her.

Sophia couldn’t accept it. Why couldn’t he see her? Why did all his love belong to Isabella alone? Why was she always living in Isabella’s shadow?

She took a deep, shuddering breath, trying to calm her racing heart. She needed to maintain her composure.

To her, Isabella’s disappearance was a gift. If Isabella stayed gone, Sophia was certain she could win him over.