Sophia's fingers trembled as she whispered, barely audible, "Is that Kyle?"

Ethan stared at the waterlogged corpse, his throat working. "No."

"Then why—"

"It's too gruesome." He covered her eyes. "Don't look."

She wrenched free from his grasp.

Stumbling forward, Sophia collapsed before the body, her gaze locked on the bloated face.

Three minutes later, she exhaled sharply.

Not him.

Behind them, anguished wails erupted as other families surged forward.

For an entire day, four bodies were recovered from the sea.

Each time a corpse was brought ashore, Sophia's heart constricted.

She prayed they'd never find him.

At least then, hope remained.

When night fell, Ethan forced her to swallow a few bites of food.

"Sophia!"

A shrill female voice sliced through the air.

She turned to see a woman in a qipao staggering toward them.

Though impeccably made up, the woman couldn't conceal the bloodshot eyes or disheveled hair at her temples.

"I'm Richard Grant's wife." The woman shot Ethan a wary glance. "You visited our home before."

Understanding dawned.

This was Kyle's mother, Willow.

"Auntie, about Kyle—"

Willow clamped a hand over Sophia's mouth, glaring at Ethan. "Leave us."

Ethan smirked, draping an arm around Sophia's shoulders. "She stays with me."

"You!" Willow's face twisted. "Do you know who I am?"

"I do." Ethan's gaze turned icy. "Someone who thrives in shadows."

Willow trembled violently before lunging at Ethan. "You killed him! You and your mother tried to murder him thirteen years ago!"

He shoved her away. "Madwoman."

"Auntie!" Sophia stepped between them. "The crash was an accident!"

Willow screamed hysterically, "My son is dead! How can I be calm?"

She jabbed a finger at Ethan's face. "With the Sullivans' influence, sabotaging a plane would be child's play!"

Sophia's eyes burned. "You can't make accusations without proof!"

Ethan pulled her behind him. "Let's go."

The following days were purgatory.

More bodies surfaced daily.

Sophia became gaunt, while Willow's hair turned white overnight.

On the fifth midnight, Ethan's phone rang.

"Mr. Sullivan! We've found him!"

Sophia stood staring at the blackened sea when Ethan embraced her from behind.

"They found him."

She stiffened, turning slowly. "What?"

"Kyle Grant is alive."

Tears flooded her vision.

At dawn, they saw him on the docks.

Bathed in morning light, Kyle stood battered and ragged—yet unbowed.

Sophia clutched Ethan's arm, her sight blurred.

Ethan strode forward and pulled Kyle into a rough embrace.

"Stay alive." His voice cracked. "Don't scare us like that again."

Kyle blinked before murmuring, "Thank you."

Sirens wailed as an ambulance arrived.

Watching the vehicle disappear, Sophia twisted her hands together.

"Go." Ethan's voice startled her. "Take care of him."

She looked up, stunned.

He cupped her face. "If not for him, I'd never have met you."

Sophia collapsed against his chest, sobbing uncontrollably.

In this moment, Ethan's tenderness shattered her heart.