Sophia's fingertips brushed against Ethan's hand.

His skin was cold as ice.

She lingered a second too long before withdrawing her touch.

Any longer, and she feared her resolve might waver.

"Isabella was also in a car accident," Ethan said, his voice low. "She's still unconscious in surgery. I've sent people after Salvatore. He'll pay for this soon."

Sophia gave a bitter smile. "When will this cycle of vengeance end?"

Her hand rested lightly on her flat stomach. "Even with revenge, my baby won't come back."

Neither would Jack.

Continuing this marriage would only claim more lives.

With Isabella hurt, Theodore would never let this go.

The cycle of retaliation would never cease.

Ethan gazed at her, his eyes dark. "Then can you bear to leave me?"

Sophia turned her face away.

Of course she couldn't.

But the word "sacrifice" existed for a reason—one must lose to gain.

"Aren't you busy these days?" She changed the subject. "Coming to the hospital every day."

Ethan had cleared his schedule.

He feared she might do something drastic.

"Not busy," he said lightly.

Sophia misunderstood.

She remembered Victor threatening to give the inheritance to Adrian at the family estate.

Only Audrey's divorce ultimatum had temporarily stopped him.

Her determination to leave grew stronger.

"My decision won't change," she said firmly. "Don't waste your efforts."

Ethan remained silent.

He simply pulled her into his arms, kissing her cheeks and earlobes.

His tenderness was heartbreaking.

He tried to feed her chicken soup.

Sophia took the bowl and drank it herself.

Such intimacy was inappropriate when they were divorcing.

"When is Jack's funeral?" she asked, setting the bowl down.

"Three days from now." Ethan packed the thermos. "Don't go. You shouldn't be exposed to wind during postpartum recovery."

"Did his wife give birth?"

"A week early. The shock induced labor."

Sophia's heart ached.

She reached for the bank card in her purse.

Ethan stopped her hand. "I've handled all the compensation."

Sophia said nothing.

He had always been generous.

But no amount of money could bring Jack back.

That honest bodyguard was gone forever.

Ethan's phone suddenly rang.

His assistant said there was an emergency at the company.

"I'll come back tonight," he said, rising.

"Don't forget the divorce papers," Sophia reminded him.

Ethan paused mid-step but left without turning back.

Not long after he left, Victor appeared in the hospital room.

The door swung open violently as Sophia was straightening her sheets.

"I heard about your accident," Victor said, sitting uninvited, his smile insincere.

"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Sullivan," Sophia replied coolly.

Victor took out his checkbook.

With a flourish of his gold pen, he tossed a $50 million check onto the bed.

"Take the money and leave Ethan," he said arrogantly. "Don't overestimate yourself."

Sophia looked at the check and laughed.

If not for his indulgence of Isabella, things wouldn't have come to this.

He was indirectly responsible for her child's death.

"How generous of you, Chairman Sullivan," she mocked. "I thought you'd offer at least a hundred million."

Victor sneered. "A country girl like you should be grateful for fifty."

Sophia held up one finger. "A billion. Not a cent less."

"You're courting death?" Victor narrowed his eyes.

"I've already died once," Sophia met his gaze. "I'm not afraid to die again."

They stared each other down.

Finally, Victor gritted his teeth and signed the check.

"Divorce him tomorrow!" he spat.

"Don't worry. Money matters more than men." Sophia stroked the check lightly.

As Victor turned to leave, a basin of water splashed over him.

Grace stood holding a foot basin, grinning.

"Feeling refreshed, Chairman Sullivan?"

Dripping and furious, Victor stormed out.

Downstairs, he immediately called Ethan.

"She demanded a billion!" Victor seethed. "That gold-digging—"

"A billion?" Ethan's voice was icy. "You underpaid. Sophia is a priceless treasure."