"My woman." The words rolled off Ethan Sullivan's lips with undeniable possessiveness.

His gaze sharp as a blade, piercing straight through Dominic Durand.

Kyle Grant stood nearby, his expression calm as still water.

Dominic knelt on the floor, wailing. "Have mercy! I didn't mean to—"

Ethan's brows furrowed in disgust. "Drag him out."

Bodyguards immediately stepped forward, hauling Dominic out of the hospital room like a dead dog.

Ethan turned and walked to the hospital bed. His long fingers gently lifted Sophia Laurent's chin.

The bruise on her cheekbone darkened his gaze.

"Why go so far?" His voice was low. "If this face gets ruined, who's going to compensate me?"

Sophia instinctively glanced toward Kyle, trying to pull away from his touch.

But Ethan tightened his grip, his thumb brushing over her wound. "A little higher, and it would've hit your eye. Was that man really your father?"

"It's fine." Sophia grasped his wrist. "It'll heal in a few days."

Ethan pulled back the blanket.

Her ankle was swollen like fermented dough.

His jawline tensed. "Who told you to go to the Appalachian Mountains?"

Sophia's eyes flickered. "I went on my own."

"Which expert?" he pressed.

She pressed her lips together, silent.

Ethan let out a cold laugh and turned to pour a glass of water.

Only then did Kyle speak. "Get some rest."

"Thank you." Sophia gave him a small smile.

Ethan handed her the glass. "I'll see our guest out."

He emphasized the word "guest" sharply.

The two men walked out of the room, one after the other.

The elevator air was thick with tension.

In the courtyard, Ethan offered Kyle a cigarette.

Kyle took it and lit it.

"Three's a crowd," Ethan exhaled a smoke ring.

Kyle's fingers trembled slightly. "I know my boundaries."

"Boundaries?" Ethan's lips curled mockingly. "You were practically glued to her bedside."

"I was just worried about her."

"What if it were your wife?"

Kyle fell silent.

Ethan flicked the ash from his cigarette. "The divorce is temporary. She'll come back to me eventually."

Kyle's chest heaved violently.

"I meant no harm," he said hoarsely. "I just wanted to help her."

Ethan suddenly clapped him on the shoulder. "Thanks for the concern, but this is between husband and wife."

Kyle shook off his hand and left without looking back.

The cigarette butt hissed as it hit the trash can.

Back in the room, Sophia was staring blankly at her phone.

"A billion dollars?" She waved the screen at him.

Ethan undid his cufflinks. "Mm."

"Are you insane?"

"Just letting you know your man isn't short on cash."

Sophia's eyes widened. "You checked my account?"

"Didn't want you getting lured away by money," he said flatly.

She laughed helplessly. "That was the share he promised me!"

Ethan leaned down, his fingers brushing through her hair. "What's mine is yours."

His gaze was so tender it could melt ice.

Sophia's heart warmed, and she wrapped her arms around his waist. "Aren't you afraid I'll run off with the money?"

The moment the words left her lips, she felt his body stiffen.

Kyle had just arrived home when his phone rang.

"You and Ethan getting along well?" Willow Grant's voice was slurred with alcohol.

Kyle frowned. "Are you having me followed?"

"I'm just concerned about you." Willow sneered. "Stay away from the Sullivans."

"We ran into each other by chance."

"Foolish boy!" Willow suddenly grew agitated. "Ethan doesn't see you as a brother at all!"

Kyle clenched his phone. "Stay out of my business."

The sound of shattering glass came through the line.

"That fire thirteen years ago..." Willow's voice trembled. "Audrey Sullivan started it!"

Kyle's pupils constricted.

"She almost burned you alive!" Willow screamed hysterically. "Ethan is just as ruthless as his mother!"