Chapter 33
Alexander Laurent's car glided smoothly down the road.
Silence filled the interior.
Sophia Sullivan turned her head to gaze out the window.
Her mood was visibly low.
Alexander slowed the car.
He glanced at her through the rearview mirror.
The security guard at the gated community recognized Sophia.
"Miss Sullivan, you're back?"
Sophia offered a strained smile.
Alexander didn't press further.
The car stopped in front of the Beverly Hills mansion.
Sophia unbuckled her seatbelt.
"I'll just grab my books. I'll be quick."
Alexander nodded. "Need any help?"
"No, it's not many books."
She pushed the door open and stepped out.
Martha opened the door, her face lighting up with surprise.
"Miss Sullivan!"
Sophia explained softly, "I'm just here to pick up a few things."
Ethan Roscente appeared at the top of the staircase.
He was wearing pajamas and holding a coffee mug.
"Coming alone to move your books?" His tone was laced with sarcasm.
Sophia ignored him, walking straight toward the study.
Ethan followed close behind her.
The books in the study were neatly arranged.
Sophia pulled out a canvas tote and began packing the books.
She handled them carefully, avoiding any damage.
Ethan leaned against a bookcase, watching her coldly.
After ten minutes, she tightened the drawstring of the bag.
Just as she was about to leave, Ethan suddenly snapped.
He kicked the bag away and grabbed her shoulders.
"Sophia Sullivan, do you think I'm dead?"
She winced in pain, struggling. "Let me go!"
Ethan's eyes were red. "You refused to come back before, but now you show up for some stupid books?"
"You're the one who broke up with me!" She shoved him away forcefully.
Ethan, provoked by her resistance, advanced on her.
Sophia stumbled backward, falling onto the couch.
He loomed over her, looking down at her flushed cheeks.
Memories of their intimate nights together flooded his mind.
He lost control and kissed her.
Sophia turned her head away in panic. "We're broken up!"
Ethan pinned her down on the couch.
He tore at her clothes.
Sophia desperately clutched the hem of her shirt. "Don't do this…" Her voice trembled with fear.
Ethan's hand slid under her skirt.
"What kind of woman do you want that you don't have?"
"I can call Isabella Langley for you…"
Ethan sneered. "Stop playing the chaste virgin. It's not like we haven't slept together before."
Sophia shook with anger. "You bastard!"
He gripped her chin. "What man would want a woman who's been with someone else?"
Tears streamed down her face.
She looked at the man she had loved for six years and felt only strangeness.
Ethan bent down to kiss her again.
He ripped open her blouse.
She was crying. He was smirking.
Sophia gave up resisting, overwhelmed by despair.
Suddenly, the weight on her lifted.
Alexander had pulled Ethan off of her.
Ethan crashed into a bookcase before steadying himself.
Alexander had grown concerned after her long absence and came inside to check.
Hearing the commotion, he rushed upstairs.
The scene he witnessed shattered his composure.
He took off his coat and draped it over Sophia's shoulders.
As he helped her sit up, she was still trembling.
"Sophia!" he called out, his voice steady.
Her gaze was unfocused, unresponsive.
He called her name a third time before she finally registered his presence.
"Professor Laurent…" Her voice was choked with sobs.
Alexander gently stroked her back, offering comfort.
Ethan watched them with a dark expression.
"So it's you. What number backup are you?"
Before he could finish his sentence, a fist connected hard with his face.