Sophia didn't sleep that night.
Ethan's words replayed again and again in her mind—not loud, not angry, but sharp enough to cut deeper than shouting ever could.
I own it now.
The walls of her apartment felt closer than usual. For the first time in years, she felt trapped—not by circumstances, but by a man who knew exactly where to strike.
The next morning, she arrived at the office early. Too early.
The building was quiet, the kind of silence that made every footstep sound heavier than it should. She poured herself coffee she didn't drink and opened files she didn't read.
Her door knocked softly.
"Come in," she said.
It was her assistant.
"Ms. Blackwood… Mr. Reed has requested a private meeting. Today."
Sophia closed her eyes briefly. "What time?"
"Now."
Of course.
She straightened her posture and stood. Whatever Ethan was planning, she wouldn't let him see fear again.
The meeting room was empty except for him.
Ethan stood near the window, hands in his pockets, the city stretched beneath him like something he already owned.
"You're early," she said.
"So are you," he replied, turning to face her. "Old habits."
That one sentence unsettled her more than she expected.
"You wanted to see me?" she asked, keeping her voice neutral.
"Yes," he said. "I wanted to make something clear."
She waited.
"I'm not here to destroy you," Ethan continued calmly. "If I wanted that, it would already be done."
Sophia frowned. "Then what do you want?"
He studied her for a moment, as if weighing his words.
"I want honesty," he said. "For once."
Her chest tightened.
"You already heard the truth."
"No," he replied. "You told me facts. Not feelings."
She looked away. "Feelings don't change the past."
"Maybe not," he said. "But they explain it."
Silence settled between them.
Sophia finally spoke. "You think I don't regret it? Leaving you was the hardest thing I've ever done."
"Funny," Ethan said quietly. "Because for me, being left behind was worse."
She met his eyes. "I saved you."
"You decided that," he said. "You took away my choice."
She swallowed. "Because I loved you."
For the first time, his control slipped.
Just for a second.
"And I loved you too," he said. "Enough to break completely when you vanished."
The words hit harder than any accusation.
Ethan turned away, regaining himself. "That's why this ends now."
"Ends how?" she asked.
"Professionally," he replied. "You work. I oversee. No past. No emotions."
Sophia nodded slowly. "And if I can't?"
He looked at her again—really looked at her.
"Then you shouldn't have come back into my life," he said.
As she reached the door, his voice stopped her.
"One more thing."
She turned.
"You think I'm doing this out of revenge," Ethan said. "I'm not."
"Then why?" she asked.
His gaze softened, just a fraction.
"Because part of me wants to see if the woman who broke me… still cares."
Sophia's heart skipped.
She walked out without answering—because some truths were still too dangerous to say.
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Do you think Ethan is lying to himself… or is Sophia the one still hiding the truth?