Seven days had passed since the silk painting restoration was completed.

Sophia stood before her worktable, fingertips lightly tracing the final repaired section. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the ancient patterns that seemed to regain their vitality after a millennium.

She dialed Iris's number.

"The painting is ready. Send someone to collect it."

After hanging up, Sophia gazed at the artwork destined for museum exhibition. The restoration credit would forever bear her name, sending warmth through her chest.

Perhaps years later, she could hold her child's hand before the museum display case and proudly say, "Look, Mommy restored this."

Her hand instinctively moved to her abdomen at the thought. The journey to conception had been longer than expected, but these things couldn't be rushed.

A phone vibration interrupted her reverie.

A message from Julian appeared: [Free for dinner tonight?]

Sophia hesitated before replying: [Yes. There's something I need to discuss.]

She texted Ethan in advance. His single-word reply—"Okay"—revealed nothing.

At dusk, Sophia entered the reserved hotpot restaurant. Julian rose immediately when she entered the private room.

"Busy lately?" He pulled out her chair.

"Manageable." She sat, watching the bubbling broth. "Julian, I need to talk to you."

His chopsticks paused mid-air. "What is it?"

"I'm resigning." Sophia met his gaze directly. "I'll be studying ancient ceramic restoration with Vincent Grandelle. I won't have capacity for Antique Treasures anymore."

The chopsticks clicked against the bowl's edge.

"Is this about what happened with Grace? I've been careful with boundaries." His voice tightened.

She shook her head. "Purely work-related. I can stay another month to help transition."

Julian silently swirled lamb slices in the broth, steam obscuring his expression.

"Let's do this," he finally said. "We'll keep your position open—take projects as they come. Seventy-thirty split in your favor."

As Sophia prepared to decline, he added, "You saved us with that last painting. Consider this my thanks."

Her phone lit up with Ethan's caller ID.

"Excuse me." She stepped into the hallway.

Ethan's neutral voice asked, "How's dinner progressing?"

"Just started." She checked the time. "Only twenty minutes in."

"Hmm." A pause. "How did the resignation go?"

"He offered to keep my position with seventy percent commission."

A soft scoff came through. "The drink isn't what the drinker wants."

Sophia chuckled. "Mr. Sullivan, have you been underworked lately?"

"I'll pick you up tonight." He deftly changed subjects.

Returning, she found Julian had already paid.

"I was supposed to treat you," she said apologetically.

He smiled. "Next time."

Cool night air greeted them outside. Julian suddenly called, "Sophia."

"Yes?"

"You and him...are you happy?" His gaze dropped to her ring finger.

Before she could answer, a tall figure emerged from a parked Maybach. Ethan crossed the sidewalk in three strides, his arm naturally encircling her waist.

"Dr. Evans, thank you for looking after my wife." He emphasized the last word.

Julian's expression froze.

Sophia awkwardly explained, "The circumstances were complicated before."

A strained smile appeared. "Understood. Be happy."

In the car, Ethan toyed with her fingers. "Angry?"

"No." She watched passing city lights. "Just...unexpected."

He squeezed her palm. "Remember—don't mention me to Vincent Grandelle."

"Why?" She turned to him.

Ethan's lips curved mysteriously. "You'll understand later."

The answer gave Sophia an inkling she was stepping into unforeseen turbulence. Little did she know, three months later, this secret would completely upend her reality.