The night was ink-black.

Sophia's fingers throbbed with a dull pain, keeping her awake. Ethan's arm encircled her waist, his warm palm resting against her abdomen.

A phone screen lit up in the darkness.

Ethan quickly muted it, carefully extracting his arm from beneath her neck. The moment he moved, Sophia's eyes fluttered open.

"Going out?" Her voice was thick with sleep.

"Just a call." He kept his tone low.

"Take it here." She nestled closer against him.

Ethan answered. "Alexander?"

Alexander's frantic voice crackled through. "Isabella's hand was smashed with a hammer. Four fingers are shattered. She's hysterical—demands to see you."

Ethan shot upright. "When?"

"Two hours ago."

"I'm on my way."

Hanging up, Ethan tore off his pajama buttons. Sophia watched his hurried movements, her heart clenched by an invisible fist.

She suddenly wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Wait till morning?" She buried her face in his chest.

Ethan stilled. "Don't be difficult."

"Just this once." Her voice trembled.

"Sophia." His tone darkened. "This isn't like you."

She tightened her grip stubbornly.

Ethan pried her fingers loose one by one and left the hospital room without looking back.

The door clicked shut. Sophia's tears splashed onto the sheets. She locked the door and curled under the blankets, her frame as fragile as a fallen leaf.

The hospital corridor lights glared harshly.

Isabella's room echoed with sobs. Her left hand was swathed in thick bandages, tear tracks streaking her face.

"Ethan!" Her cries intensified at the sight of him. "My hand is ruined!"

He handed her a tissue. "It'll heal."

"Never!" Isabella shrieked. "It was Sophia! She hired someone to do this!"

Ethan frowned. "Don't make accusations without proof."

"It was her!" She clutched his sleeve. "She's jealous! Don't leave—I'm scared..."

Ethan checked his watch and placed a credit card on the nightstand.

"I need to go back."

Isabella's face twisted. "She locked you out, and you're still going back?"

"She only has me." Ethan turned away. A pillow thudded against the door behind him.

Back at Sophia's room, the door wouldn't budge.

He knocked. Called. No response. Finally, he had a bodyguard break the lock.

Sophia faced away, shoulders shaking.

"Divorce me." Her whisper was soft but razor-sharp.

Ethan lay down silently and pulled her into his arms. She struggled briefly before exhaustion won, her eyes closing.

Morning light filtered through the curtains.

Ethan adjusted his tie. "I'll have lunch with you."

"Don't bother." Sophia stared out the window. "Prepare the divorce papers."

"Grandmother's health is fragile." His fingers paused on the tie. "We'll discuss it after your hand heals."

The door slammed with finality.

At noon, Victoria stormed in.

"You did this!" She lunged at Sophia, face contorted. "You destroyed my daughter's hand!"

Maggie intercepted her. Victoria's venomous curses filled the room, each word filthier than the last.

Sophia waited until she ran out of breath, then snatched the thermos from the nightstand.

Crash!

Victoria staggered back, blood gushing from her nose.

"Get out." Sophia pointed to the door, her gaze glacial.