Chapter 3
I laughed. This time, out of sheer anger.
“Ethan, I suggest you get your head examined. How many times do I have to tell you? I’m married. There is nothing between us anymore.”
“You have no right to demand my belongings. Neither does she.”
“And she’s twenty-five. Isn’t she a little old for this helpless-little-sister act? It’s disgusting.”
At my words, Sophie’s tears fell on command.
“You’re just jealous! How can you say that? I’m only worried about what people will say if you take something that doesn’t belong to you.”
“You haven’t married Ethan. You’re an outsider! What right do you have to the Blackwoods’ things? You’re the shameless one!”
Sophie was called the Blackwoods’ adopted daughter, but she had never taken their surname or been formally entered into the family register.
That register was locked in a safe in the council room. She wasn’t even allowed inside.
Strictly speaking, she was the outsider living under the Blackwoods’ roof.
Ethan had once thrown a fit, demanding that Sophie be formally recognized as a Blackwood daughter. But Richard had refused at a family meeting, and Ethan had been forced to give up.
Ever since, he’d felt guilty and kept trying to make it up to her.
I just hadn’t realized that compensating her required giving away my things.
Seeing her upset, he looked heartbroken again.
“Sophie isn’t like you. She has no parents. She only has me. Grandpa won’t let her into the family register, so of course she feels insecure…”
I interrupted him with a suggestion.
“If you want Sophie in the family register, isn’t there an easy solution?”
“Marry her. If you do, I’ll gladly give her this brooch as a wedding present. As your wife, she’d have a legitimate reason to wear it.”
Sophie’s eyes widened in shock. Then undisguised delight flooded them as she turned to Ethan.
“No!”
Ethan immediately rejected the idea and stepped in my way.
“What are you talking about? Sophie is just… just my adopted sister. You’re the one I want to spend my life with!”
“Be jealous of anyone you want, but not Sophie.”
“She’s family. You’re the woman I love. Stop saying things you don’t mean. Keep this up, and I really will get angry.”
His adoring gaze didn’t move me in the slightest. It made me sick.
“Think whatever you want. I’ll say it one more time: we’re over.” I spread my hands.
Unwilling to waste another word, I turned and left.
I ignored whatever Ethan kept saying behind me.
As I stepped out of the preview hall, a discreet black Maybach pulled up in front of me. Martin, the driver, got out and opened the door.
“Mrs. Blackwood, Mr. Blackwood said we should collect him later. Shall I take you back to the main house first?”
There was a banquet at the estate tonight to celebrate Adrian’s successful handling of the family’s overseas business.
I nodded and was about to get in.
Suddenly, someone shoved past me and climbed into the car first.
Once seated, Sophie sneered.
“Aren’t you married? Why are you still trying to catch a ride in a Blackwood car? Go ride with your husband.”
Sophie recognized the Bugatti. It belonged to Ethan’s uncle, Adrian.
It was also a symbol of the Blackwood family head’s authority.
Ethan clearly recognized it, too. His posture immediately turned arrogant.
He probably thought the car had been sent for him.
He sat beside Sophie, fastened her seat belt, and turned to me.
“You can sit up front. Sophie’s used to sitting beside me. I’ll have the driver take you back to the Bennetts’ place first.”
“No need. I have my own car. Martin, take them to the estate. I have other plans.”
I took out my key and pressed the unlock button. A Lamborghini nearby flashed its lights twice.
Jealousy flickered in Sophie’s eyes as I drove away in my supercar.
Ethan sighed. “She came here specifically to pick me up. She must be upset that I didn’t ride with her.”
The driver glanced at him.
“Mr. Blackwood, the head of the family is coming home tonight, too. His flight was delayed.”
Ethan’s eyes lit up. “Perfect. When Adrian gets back, he can help me talk some sense into Claire.”