“Hello?” Ethan’s voice was low as he answered the call.

Sophia’s weak, trembling voice came through the line. “Ethan… I… I feel awful.” She gasped, her breath hitching. “My chest… it hurts so much… Please, can you take me to the hospital?”

Ethan paused, his hesitation clear even through the phone. Sophia sensed it immediately, her tone growing more distressed. “Ethan, have you forgotten what you promised me?” He drew a sharp breath. “I’ll be right there.” He ended the call and turned to Isabella. “Sophia isn’t well. I have to go.”

Isabella said nothing. Her eyes remained fixed on him, cool and distant. Sophia’s health was not her problem.

“Isabella…” Ethan began, as if to explain, but then stopped. He stood, grabbed his coat, and walked out of the restaurant without looking back.

Isabella watched him leave. A cold weight settled in her chest. It was always the same. Sophia would always come first. She was just a temporary stand-in.

The exquisite food in front of her lost all appeal. She took a sip of water, paid the bill, and left.

Meanwhile, Ethan drove back to Blackwood Enterprises headquarters. In the CEO’s office on the top floor, Sophia waited anxiously on the sofa. Her face lit up when he entered. She rushed to him, throwing her arms around his neck. “Ethan, you’re here!” But his expression was stern.

He firmly pushed her away. “What’s going on?”

Sophia faltered under his harsh tone. “I… I wasn’t feeling well earlier…”

“Let’s go to the hospital,” he stated coldly.

Guilt flashed across her face. Her eyes darted away nervously. “Ethan, actually… I’m feeling much better now. There’s no need for the hospital.”

She watched his reaction carefully, her voice tentative. “I—I hope I didn’t interrupt your dinner with Isabella?”

Ethan’s brow furrowed. He gripped her wrist, his hold too tight. “Sophia, I’ve tolerated a lot from you. But do not cross my bottom line.” Sophia froze. His bottom line? Did he mean Isabella? Resentment burned in her chest. Tears welled in her eyes. “Ethan, you’re hurting me.”

He released her wrist abruptly. “If you pull a stunt like this again, you won’t have a place here anymore.”

Sophia’s face flushed with anger and humiliation. “Ethan, I’m sorry…” Her voice shook, tears spilling over. “I promise it won’t happen again.”

Despite her tearful, pitiful display, Ethan remained unmoved. He didn’t look at her again as he turned and walked out.

The door slammed shut behind him.

Sophia clenched her fists. “Isabella! Always Isabella!” she hissed through gritted teeth, her voice dripping with venom. “Why did you have to come back? How do you always manage to survive?”

She stood abruptly and began pacing the office in agitation. “And that child…” She stopped suddenly. “Ethan must never find out about that child’s existence. Never!”

Isabella returned to her studio. Oliver approached her immediately. “Miss Scott, are you alright?”

She offered a faint smile. “I’m fine. The partnership is secure.”

“That’s excellent news,” Oliver said, relief evident.

Isabella walked to her desk and sat down, starting to pack her things. “Starting tomorrow, I’ll be at Blackwood Enterprises for a while. If anything comes up, just call me anytime.”

She rubbed her temples after giving instructions, trying to soothe the persistent ache. The fatigue from recent days washed over her. She just wanted to go home and collapse. She picked up her bag and left the studio.