Victor Sullivan felt a sudden chill between his legs and grabbed Audrey Sullivan's wrist. "Explain yourself!"

Audrey scoffed and shook him off.

She would never tell him that Kyle Grant was still alive.

The bastard Adrian was already enough to make him insufferable.

If he knew he had another son, the old fool would lose all sense of proportion.

"Get lost!" Audrey aimed a kick at his groin.

Victor dodged nimbly, rubbing his sore abdomen. "You used to be so gentle. When did you turn into such a shrew?"

"A shrew?" Audrey narrowed her eyes. "I'll show you what a real shrew looks like someday."

Victor glared. "Audrey, what did I ever do to you? Is it just because I won't divorce you? If you really want out, I'll sign the papers right now—as long as you leave with nothing!"

"Victor, you shameless old lecher!"

"Me? I haven't touched another woman in decades. Isn't that proof enough of my integrity?"

Audrey nearly laughed at his audacity.

His illegitimate son was already in his twenties, yet he had the nerve to say such things.

A knock interrupted their argument.

Ethan Sullivan's voice came through the door. "Mom, are you okay?"

Audrey straightened her collar, shot Victor one last glare, and opened the door.

Ethan's sharp eyes scanned her. "Did he hurt you?"

"What could he possibly do to me?" Audrey scoffed.

Victor clutched his stomach and protested, "I was holding back! If I really fought, I could take her down!"

Ethan's expression turned icy. "Try laying a finger on her. I dare you."

"Unbelievable! Are you two plotting a mutiny?" Victor panted with rage.

Audrey ignored him and slammed the door shut.

As they walked toward the lounge, Ethan asked quietly, "You're sure you're alright?"

"I'm fine. I was the one who hit him."

"Next time, call me. You're not as young as you used to be—what if you throw out your back?"

Audrey rubbed her wrist. "He hasn't written his will yet. Don't provoke him openly. If I hit him, it's just domestic violence. If you do it, the stakes are different."

Back in the lounge, Bianca White stood up with a gentle smile. "Mrs. Sullivan, did you and Mr. Sullivan finish your talk?"

Audrey instantly regained her poise. "We're done. It's too noisy here. Let's go to the café."

"Whatever you say." Bianca lowered her eyes demurely.

Ethan remained still. "You know about my car accident three years ago, don't you, Miss White?"

Bianca froze, her gaze flickering to his legs. "I heard you recovered well."

"Only superficially." Ethan's tone was calm. "The doctors say it might flare up again after I turn thirty. I could end up in a wheelchair. That's why my ex left me."

Bianca's smile stiffened.

She looked pleadingly at Audrey. "Is that true?"

Audrey nodded thoughtfully. "There is that risk."

Bianca twisted the hem of her dress. "Modern medicine is so advanced. Surely it can be treated?"

"And if it can't?" Ethan met her eyes directly.

Bianca faltered.

Ethan turned to Audrey. "You two go ahead. I doubt Miss White is still interested."

Bianca waved her hands hastily. "No need. I've already had coffee here."

After Bianca left, Audrey sighed. "At this rate, you'll be single forever."

"Better alone than with the wrong person."

"You can afford to be picky. I want grandchildren."

Ethan arched a brow. "You bring me women who can't pass the simplest test, and it's my fault?"

"Who wouldn't balk at hearing something like that on a first date?"

"Isabella and I grew up together, and she still walked away without a second thought." Ethan's expression darkened. "There aren't many women like Sophia in this world."

Audrey smiled. "Too bad her heart belongs to someone else. If your eyes didn't resemble that boy's, do you think she'd indulge you like this?"

The words cut deep.

Ethan pulled out his phone and dialed Sophia's number.

"What's wrong?" Her gentle voice soothed him.

Ethan kept his tone somber. "My leg is acting up. It hurts."

"Where are you? I'm coming right now!" Her voice turned urgent.

"Don't bother. I don't want to be a burden."

"Stop talking nonsense! Tell me where you are!" Her voice trembled.

Ethan glanced at Audrey. "Go find your Kyle. Don't worry about me."

"Ethan Sullivan! I'm serious—where are you?"

"I'll come to you." He checked his watch.

"Shouldn't you go to the hospital? I'll call a doctor!"

"I hate hospitals." His voice held quiet resistance. "Spent enough years in them."

Sophia hesitated. "Fine. Come over. I'll arrange for a doctor to see you here. What do you want to eat? I'll cook."

Ethan lowered his voice. "You."

"This isn't funny!" Her worry turned to frustration.

Hanging up, Ethan showed Audrey his phone. "See? That's what reliability looks like."

Audrey poured cold water on his triumph. "You're lying to her. Wait till she finds out."

"She won't." His certainty was absolute.

"Are you really competing with Kyle?"

Ethan frowned. "Must you keep twisting the knife?"

Audrey sighed. "If you're going to fight, fight properly. Don't lose to that woman's son. I've always outshone her. If my son loses to hers, where does that leave me?"

"Then stop setting me up on blind dates."

Audrey rolled her eyes. "If I didn't push you, you'd still be wallowing." With that, she left.

Ethan watched her go, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

No one understood him like his mother.

Half an hour later, Ethan's car pulled up at Phoenix Cove.

Sophia was already waiting. The moment he stepped out, she knelt to roll up his pant legs. "Which leg hurts?"

Ethan gazed down at her in silence.

She touched his right leg. "Here?"

"No."

She checked the left. "Does this hurt? What kind of pain is it?"

"Not there either."

Sophia stood, bewildered. "Then where does it hurt?"

Ethan simply watched her.

She circled behind him, lifting his shirt to examine his spine. "Your back?"

"No."

Sophia's eyes reddened with frustration. "Where is the pain? Tell me!"

Her distress filled him with guilty satisfaction.

He beckoned. "Come closer."

Sophia leaned in warily.

Ethan whispered in her ear, "My heart."

She blinked. "Your heart?"

"My heart. And..." He paused. "My third leg hurts too."

Sophia stared blankly before comprehension dawned. A flush spread from her cheeks to her ears. "Ethan Sullivan! You lied to me!" She punched his chest.

Ethan caught her wrist, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "Don't be angry."

"How can I not be? You scared me half to death!" She turned to leave.

Ethan blocked her path. "Then lie to me once too."

"About what?"

"Say you love me."

Silence fell.

Sophia's heart pounded as she met his intense gaze.

"Say it," he urged.

After glancing around to ensure they were alone, she bit her lip and whispered, "I... love you."