Chapter 10: A dragon game

Sophia didn't go back to her office. She needed space, air—anything to keep herself from screaming. She walked to the rooftop terrace, gripping the cold metal railing as she stared over the city.

Her phone buzzed.

Ethan: We need to talk.

She ignored it.

A moment later, another message.

Ethan: I swear, it wasn't what you think.

Sophia clenched her jaw. What did he think she was imagining? That he and Madison had a candlelit dinner, reminiscing about the past?

Or something worse?

"Rough morning?"

The voice startled her. She turned and found Daniel—the CFO—leaning against the doorway, watching her.

She forced a tight smile. "You could say that."

Daniel stepped closer, his gaze sharp. "I saw the article."

Sophia stiffened. "I don't want to talk about it."

He studied her for a second before nodding. "Fair enough."

Silence settled between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Daniel had always been observant.

After a moment, he smirked. "So… how long are you going to let him get away with it?"

Sophia's head snapped toward him. "Excuse me?"

Daniel shrugged. "Ethan's a smart man. He knows you're upset, but he also knows that as long as he keeps apologizing, you'll eventually let it slide."

Her stomach twisted. "I don't just let things slide."

"Maybe not," Daniel admitted. "But Ethan's not stupid. He wouldn't have gone to dinner with Madison if he thought there'd be real consequences."

Sophia hated how easily his words got under her skin.

"What are you saying?" she asked.

Daniel tilted his head. "That maybe it's time you remind him exactly who he's married to."

Sophia swallowed. She wasn't sure if Daniel was just trying to get in her head—or if he was right.

—

By the time she returned to her office, Ethan was already waiting inside.

She shut the door behind her, keeping her expression unreadable. "I assume you have an explanation."

Ethan ran a hand through his hair. "I do."

Sophia crossed her arms. "Then talk."

He exhaled. "Madison wanted to discuss a new investment opportunity. She insisted on dinner, and I didn't think it would be an issue."

"You didn't think." Her voice was sharp.

Ethan's jaw tightened. "I should've told you."

"Yes, you should have." She leaned against her desk. "Instead, I had to find out from a gossip blog."

Ethan sighed. "I get it. I messed up. But you know there's nothing between us."

Sophia raised an eyebrow. "Do I?"

Ethan stepped closer. "Sophia—"

She held up a hand, stopping him. "Tell me something, Ethan. If the roles were reversed—if I had dinner with an ex, in private, without telling you—how would you feel?"

Ethan's eyes darkened. "I wouldn't like it."

"Exactly." She tilted her head. "So why should I?"

Silence stretched between them.

Then Ethan's phone buzzed.

Sophia didn't mean to look, but she caught the name on the screen.

Madison.

Her heart clenched.

Ethan quickly silenced the call, but it was too late. Sophia had already seen enough.

She exhaled slowly, then turned toward the door.

"Where are you going?" Ethan asked.

She looked back at him, her voice cool.

"Reminding you who you married."

—

To be continued…