Her heart plummeted like a stone.

Sophia's fingers trembled as hot tears welled up in her eyes.

She clutched Ethan's wrist with desperate strength. "You're drunk. Don't make a decision you'll regret."

A mocking smile curled Ethan's lips. "I'm perfectly sober. Three years—I've had enough."

"Three years?" Sophia's pupils constricted.

The man's icy detachment told her this was no impulsive outburst, but a calculated decision.

A chill crawled up her spine.

She forced a broken smile. "Was being with me... that torturous for you?"

"Yes." Ethan's voice was steel, yet his chest burned as if slashed by a blade.

Sophia lowered her head, swallowing back tears.

Her gaze fell on his hand—the knuckles bore a vicious wound, the blood dried to rust.

Fumbling in her bag, she produced a vial of Jade Nectar.

"This will prevent scarring." She pressed it into his palm.

Ethan jerked away violently. "Don't touch me."

Sophia froze, then understood his implication.

"Kyle isn't what you think—"

"Escort her out." Ethan cut her off coldly, addressing his assistant. "She's not to approach me without permission."

Her blood turned to ice.

How could he be this cruel?

"Don't regret this." Her laugh was hollow.

Ethan turned away, long lashes veiling the storm in his eyes.

Leaving Tang Palace, Sophia held her spine rigid.

Only when seated in her car did the floodgates break.

Back at Phoenix Cove, she went straight to the security office.

The monitors showed Ethan standing beneath the hibiscus tree for thirty minutes—while she'd been laughing and crying with Kyle.

No wonder he spoke of enduring three years.

The night wind bit through her.

Sophia sat on the steps hugging her knees, staring at the hibiscus tree.

The moon hung cold and distant.

Footsteps approached from behind.

"Why aren't you home?" Kyle settled beside her.

"Can't sleep," she murmured.

"Fight with Ethan?"

"He said he's endured me for three years. Had enough." Her voice cracked.

Kyle's fists clenched. "Because of me?"

"Probably." She gazed upward. "Maybe it's for the best. We shouldn't have dragged it out."

He raised a hand to tousle her hair, then withdrew it.

"Get some rest."

As she stood, Sophia suddenly asked, "How did you know I was here?"

"Intuition." Starlight danced in his eyes.

After watching her enter, Kyle turned to leave.

A hidden bodyguard immediately dialed: "Mr. Sullivan, he came. They talked at the door."

In the Tang Palace VIP room, Ethan crushed his glass.

"Bring the car."

At the club entrance, Isabella blocked his path.

"Ethan!" Her makeup was flawless. "Let me cheer you up?"

Ethan studied her. "Can women love two men at once?"

Her eyes lit up. "You still have feelings for me?"

"Delusional." He smirked coldly and entered the car.

The rearview mirror reflected Isabella's contorted face.