Chapter 9
I had always known Ethan’s cruelty-but Sophia was only realizing it now.
Her face twisted in fury, disbelief at how quickly he had turned.
“Ethan Cole! Yes, I tricked you. I poked holes in the condoms to get pregnant-but how could you doubt me like this?”
Even Ethan froze at her words.
“I was just a fling to you, wasn’t I? And now you’re blaming me for Lily leaving you?”
Enraged, Ethan kicked her hard in the chest. It was a desperate, reckless move.
“Ah!” Sophia cried out, collapsing onto the floor. Her head struck the steps, dust clinging to her ruined red gown. Blood pooled beneath her, soaking the fabric.
Clutching her stomach, she wailed, “It hurts! Somebody help me!”
As much as I despised her, memories of my lost child stabbed through me. I pulled out my phone and dialed 911. Whether her baby survived or not would be left to fate.
Adrian wrapped me in his arms, sensing the sorrow in my eyes.
Ethan, however, staggered toward me, blind to the chaos. Just before he could grab me, Adrian kicked him hard, sending him sprawling.
‘Get away!”
Ethan looked up at us, consumed by jealousy at our closeness.
‘Lily, Sophia’s baby won’t make it. Let’s start over-pretend none of this ever happened.”
Start over? Impossible. If none of this had happened, I wouldn’t have become the stronger
woman I was now.
Ethan Cole, you disgust me.”
The guests whispered in shock at his callousness. Even Sophia stared at him, shattered.
.ying in her own blood, her last illusions crumbled.
Ethan, you’re not even human.”
Her breath came ragged, tinged with blood.
You told me you’d divorce her. That’s why I stayed with you. But once you had me, you never nentioned it again. I thought a baby would hold you. But today, you’ve shown me nothing but cruelty-so I won’t protect your secrets any longer.”
Ethan tried to cover her mouth, but it was too late.
Cole Enterprises runs a black-market chain-laundering foreign money for profit. The proof is in his study, a ledger recording every transaction.”
The revelation hit like thunder. No wonder the company had risen so fast.
‘I’ve already called the police. Mr. Cole, be ready.”
Adrian snapped his phone shut. “They should be on their way right now.” Ethan collapsed, despair written all over his face.
“How did you know?”
In a last act of fury, he clamped his hands around Sophia’s throat, her face turning red.
“I saw it in your study. Did you really think you could hide it forever?” she rasped.
“Ethan, you betrayed me-don’t blame me for betraying you.”
“In just three years, how many times have you laundered money for overseas groups? Do you even remember?”
‘Shut up, you bitch!” Ethan roared, losing control. No one dared stop him.
In desperation, Sophia grabbed a dropped microphone and smashed it against his head. He oosened his grip in pain.
With all her strength, she struck again.
“Ah!” Ethan screamed, clutching his right eye as blood poured through his fingers, staining hal his face red.
