king it almost impossible to read him. But for Sophia, the puzzle pieces were slowly coming togeth

s as they were. She needed answers,

han's past, it was her. Margaret lived in a sprawling Victorian house su

, her gentle smile a soothing b

" Margaret asked as they set

despite the nervous flutter in her chest. "Ethan won't tell

somber. She sipped her tea,

ent, and fiercely protective of her family. But she had her flaws, l

involvement?"

ught it was a business relationship, but over time, it became clear there was more to it. Ch

"Do you think he had somet

silence more telling than

fice, staring at a photograph of Eleanor. She linge

aret?" Ethan asked,

froze

the photo down. "And

les," Sophia said carefully. "And that

her, his eyes were filled with a storm of emotions-ang

low. "She got involved with Charles to shield me from t

f mistakes?"

agged our family name through the mud. Charles saw an opportunity and exploited it

a step close

ne that went horribly wrong. And now he's

d, staring at the ceiling, her mind racing. Eth

ipping out of bed, she made her way to Ethan's office again

ng with each passing minute. Finally, she stumbl

to pry it open. Inside were docum

s. But what caught Sophia's attention was a photograph of a young Ethan standing besid

ss the implications, t

doing?" Ethan's voice b

hotograph. "I needed to know the truth

the photograph from her hand. "You h

telling me what I'm up against!" Sophia shot

thought he might explode. But then he exhal

s: Charles is trying to destroy me. He blames me for my mother's death, and he's been

art sank. "

er of vulnerability. "I thought I could keep you safe by keepi

ntercom buzzed. Ethan walked over to answer

an said grimly,

asked, her sto

"And he won't leave unti

ills down Sophia's spine. Ethan looked at her, h

e said, headin

heart pounding as he opened the door to reveal Charles Beaumont

ng to Sophia. "The infamous Mrs. Carter. It

r fists, refusing

rles?" Ethan demanded,

. "The same thing I've always wanted. Reven

d turned to i

you realize, my dear. And just like her, you're

Charles, a silent promise in his eyes: he would protec