Isabella released a soft sigh. “Honestly, Lucas, I’m fine. You don’t need to worry.”

Lucas began to speak, but Isabella cut him off. “I have to return to my work now. I’m ending the call.”

She hung up before he could respond, placing her phone next to her design sketches. Her eyes drifted back to her work, but her thoughts were elsewhere.

Ding—

The sudden chime of the doorbell pulled Isabella from her reverie. Assuming it was a member of the household staff, she rose with a slight frown and moved to answer.

Her fingers had just brushed the doorknob when she heard the distinct sound of a key card being swiped.

The door swung open. To her surprise, it wasn’t a servant. Ethan stood in the doorway.

His tall frame blocked much of the hallway light. His gaze was dark, intense, and locked entirely on her.

A cold dread washed over Isabella, pressing heavily on her heart. “What… what are you doing here?” she stammered, her voice trembling as she instinctively took a step back.

Ethan paused, a flicker of confusion crossing his features as if questioning her presence in what he clearly considered his space.

He remained silent. His unwavering stare made the air grow thick with discomfort.

The familiarity of that look unnerved her deeply. It was identical to the one he had so often given her three years ago—that same fiery intensity in his eyes… Overwhelmed, she turned her head away, seeking an escape from the oppressive atmosphere.

But Ethan closed the distance between them in two swift strides.

His arm snaked around her waist, pulling her firmly against his body.

“Isabella…” His voice was a low, intimate murmur near her ear.

She went completely rigid, her hands coming up to push against his chest. His grip only tightened in response.

“Let me go!” she demanded, her voice laced with desperation.

Outside, rain tapped a gentle rhythm against the windowpanes, a stark contrast to the charged, tense intimacy filling the room.

To Ethan, her struggles felt like a feeble attempt to conceal her true feelings for another man.

Abruptly, he bent his head and captured her lips in a punishing kiss, forcing her backward onto the bed. The kiss was harsh, filled with a biting, almost vengeful intensity.

Isabella, caught completely off guard by his sudden aggression, fought back as he held her firmly, refusing to yield. “Mm… stop…” she managed to gasp out between breaths.

Her attempts to shove him away were utterly ineffective.

His overpowering kiss stole her breath, sapping her strength until her energy faded. Uncontrollable tears began to stream down her cheeks.

The feel of her tears against his skin made Ethan freeze. After a brief, tense pause, he finally released her.

Isabella breathed heavily, looking up at him with tear-blurred eyes. Her voice was shaky. “What do you think I am? You’re with Sophia. Why do you keep coming back to torment me?”

His expression was complex, a storm of unspoken frustration. Without a word, he turned and strode into the bathroom. He turned the cold tap on full, letting the icy water cascade over his head and fully clothed body.