I Plan My Death While He Bangs the Nanny

Chapter 21: The Cowardice

Sophia Williams' eyes were icy. "I'm not Sophia. The Sophia you knew died in the sea. I have nothing to do with Mr. Foster. Emily Johnson is the one he truly loves."

Each cold word cut into Ethan Foster's heart like a knife.

The Sophia he once knew had smiled so sweetly, smoothing his furrowed brow while whispering, "Don't frown. You'll turn into a wrinkled old man." She would curl into his arms, coaxing him with soft words and songs.

But now, she was a stranger, distant, cold, as if an impassable chasm stood between them.

Ethan opened his mouth to speak, but tears fell first.

Regret and agony clawed at his chest. He shook his head desperately.

"Sophia, you're the only one I love. No one could ever take your place!"

His tears fell freely, his pride shattered as he nearly dropped to his knees before her.

"I missed you so much. Every day without you has been torture. I know I messed up, but please, give me one more chance. Just look at me, please!"

Sophia stood unmoved. His tears stirred nothing in her, only bitter amusement.

"Ethan, didn't I give you enough chances?" she countered. "Before I faked my death, how many times did I let you walk away for Emily? You were the one who destroyed what we had."

Her words struck deep, exposing the truth he couldn't face.

Ethan froze, his face ghostly pale.

"It wasn't like that," he choked out, but his voice was hollow.

Sophia laughed coldly. Even now, he still tried to deny it.

Done with the conversation, she turned to leave.

But Ethan lunged forward like a madman.

"Sophia! Don't go!"

His sudden embrace startled her, making her drop her bag. She struggled, but his arms only tightened.

"Please don't leave me! I'll lose my mind without you!"

"Let go!" Disgust and fury twisted inside her.

Couldn't live without her? Yet he had cheated, abandoned her time and again. How hollow his love was.

"I'll call the police!"

Still, he refused to release her.

Then Lucas Harrison arrived, slamming a fist into Ethan's face.

Sophia trembled as Lucas pulled her into his arms.

Seeing her fear, of him, Ethan felt his strength drain away. He touched his bleeding lip. "Sophia..."

"You lost the right to call her that," Lucas spat, shielding her. "The Sophia who loved you is dead, because of you."

"Now, she's my fiancée. Stay away, or next time, I won't hold back."

With that, Lucas led Sophia away.

Ethan tried to follow, but his legs gave out.

"Sophia..."

She didn't look back.

His voice cracked with despair. Then his vision blurred, and he collapsed.

Later, Sophia sat absently stroking Noah's fur when Lucas returned.

"Sophia."

She startled. "Is everything okay?"

"He's fine."

She shook her head. "I meant you. The Fosters didn't give you trouble over punching Ethan?"

Lucas' gaze softened. He draped his coat over her shoulders.

"I owe you an apology. To warn Ethan off, I called you my fiancée. If that bothers you, I won't say it again."

Sophia froze. Noah leapt from her lap. She looked down, shaking her head.

How could it bother her?

"You haven't eaten. Let me cook for you."

"Okay."

As she worked in the kitchen, her thoughts lingered on Lucas' tension. When she brought him noodles, she finally asked.

"Lucas, what's wrong?"

He hesitated, then met her eyes, raw and earnest.

"Should I say it?"

His intensity unsettled her, yet warmth bloomed in her chest.

"Say what?"

He pulled her close, his arms trembling as if afraid to hold her too tight.

"I'm terrified you'll go back to him."

She pushed back, stunned. "Why would you think that?"

"Fifteen years with him, I can't compete. Call me insecure, but since he appeared at the gala, I've been terrified of losing you."

His voice shook, his eyes pleading for reassurance.

He had no courage in this love.

If not for Ethan's mistakes, he wouldn't even have had a chance.