Chapter 35
Sophia Sullivan carefully arranged the bag of books.
She placed each volume on the shelf, a fine sweat beading on her forehead.
After her shower, the ointment sat quietly on the coffee table.
She unscrewed the cap and stood before the full-length mirror.
A cotton swab dabbed with ointment gently smoothed over the bruise.
The minty fragrance spread, the pain gradually fading.
She intended to read, but a splitting headache took hold.
She slipped beneath the covers and quickly fell into a deep sleep.
Deep in the night, a nightmare struck.
Ethan Roscente lunged at her. She struggled desperately.
She woke with a start, her chest heaving.
In the darkness, she fumbled for her phone.
She called Olivia Lopez's number, but no one answered.
Fingers trembling, she glanced toward the neighboring balcony.
The light was still on.
After a moment's hesitation, she opened WeChat.
["Are you asleep?"]
The wait felt eternal. Just as drowsiness reclaimed her, the phone vibrated.
["Yeah."]
Another message popped up.
["Look out your window."]
Sophia looked up. Stars glittered in the night sky.
["Straight ahead, the zigzag shape is the Gemini constellation."]
Her phone continued to buzz.
["Ancient Greek legend says twin brothers hatched from a golden egg. The elder brought misfortune, the younger was blessed by the goddess of love."]
["The elder grew jealous of the younger, plotting against him multiple times. The younger willingly sacrificed himself, leading to the elder's remorse."]
["After death, they became a constellation. Twelve stars connected, the most beautiful yet hardest to find."]
["You're seeing a rare sight. Feeling any better?"]
A slight smile touched Sophia's lips.
That text must have taken ten minutes to write.
But indeed, her mood had lifted.
She replied: ["Thank you. Much better."]
Alexander Laurent looked at his phone, a faint smile gracing his mouth.
He was about to return to his report when another vibration came.
["Under the same sky, watching the stars with you makes me happy. Goodnight—"]
…
The study in the Beverly Hills mansion was brightly lit.
Ethan Roscente stared at the empty bookshelf, the scene from daytime replaying in his mind.
Sophia Sullivan leaning into Alexander Laurent's embrace.
He violently smashed a glass.
A WeChat notification chimed. A message from Isabella Langley.
["Babe, finished work? Miss you so much, haven't seen you in days~"]
["I made plans for our date next week, okay?"]
A final message popped up:
["Can I come over now?"]
Ethan froze.
Sophia had said it was over.
What was he holding onto?
Isabella was his girlfriend.
["Come over."]
Isabella saw the message and sat up in surprise.
She’d hinted before, but he’d always been indifferent.
This time, he agreed.
She quickly changed and headed out.
Her roommate asked curiously, "Isabella, where are you off to so late?"
"‘The spring night is worth a thousand pieces of gold.’ Only that tall, rich, handsome boyfriend gets our campus belle this eager," her gaming roommate teased.
Isabella's cheeks flushed.
Ethan had never touched her, fueling her insecurity.
If tonight succeeded…
She would truly be his woman.
She’d specifically worn matching lingerie.
The taxi stopped before the villa.
The gate swung open automatically. A hand pulled her inside.
The man pressed her against the wall, his kiss descending.
Isabella froze for two seconds before responding awkwardly.
They kissed their way to the living room, tumbling onto the sofa.
Ethan pressed down, his kisses growing fervent.
His hand slid under her shirt, roaming and caressing.
Isabella's heart raced, anticipating the next step.
When his fingers brushed the black lace, Ethan suddenly stopped.
"What's wrong?" Isabella asked, bewildered.
The man rolled off and sat up. "Sorry. Get up."
Isabella felt like she’d been plunged into ice water.
"Ethan… did I do something wrong?"
She reached for him, but he caught her wrist.
Ethan's cold gaze swept over her. "Don't make me repeat myself."
Isabella pressed her lips together and sat up, not daring to utter a word.
Ethan straightened her dress, his tone softening. "Be good. It's late. The driver will take you back."
The driver arrived swiftly.
Isabella looked at the man's retreating back. He never turned around.
Biting her lip, she left.
Ethan lit a cigarette, smoke curling around him.
Sophia's face surfaced in his mind.
He closed his eyes and dialed a number. "Where are you?"
Julian Winston was with a girl and signaled for quiet.
"Can't sleep at this hour?"
"Find me a clean woman. I need to blow off steam."
Julian was stunned.
Weren't he and Sophia back together?
Daring to play with fire like this?