Chapter 191

Ethan Roscente stood up casually and walked straight to the bathroom.

"I told you to leave," Sophia Lowell frowned, glaring at him.

The bathroom door clicked shut. His deep voice came through the wood. "Just a quick shower."

Sophia's ears burned.

"Leave as soon as you're done."

She yanked the blanket over her head, forcing herself to sleep.

Morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, jolting Sophia awake.

She had no memory of when Ethan left last night. She'd meant to stay awake until he was gone, but after waiting over an hour with the shower still running, exhaustion had claimed her.

While washing up, a vivid red mark glared back at her from the mirror, stark against her porcelain skin. Gritting her teeth, she cursed Ethan silently and rummaged for a silk scarf to cover it.

The day was unusually hot, the scarf stifling around her neck. As she stepped into the garden, Emily Laurent paused her watering to give her a puzzled look. "A scarf in this heat?"

Sophia's fingers absently traced the edge of the fabric. "It matches the dress."

Her beige dress paired with a light brown cardigan did look more stylish with the scarf's addition.

Emily nodded thoughtfully. Her niece had an eye for design—even casual outfits looked magazine-worthy.

A soft scoff came from behind.

Ethan strode over from the guesthouse, his gaze lingering on Sophia's neck. Mockery flickered in his eyes. "Tacky."

Sophia tightened her grip on her phone, pretending not to hear.

"Ethan, you came back last night?" Emily sounded surprised.

"Yeah."

Sophia reluctantly muttered, "Uncle." He responded with a distracted hum, but his smirk remained fixed on her scarf.

Emily suddenly gasped, noticing the broken skin at the corner of his mouth. "What happened there?"

"Got bit by a dog," Ethan said flatly.

Emily's lips twitched.

That was clearly a human bite mark. She gave him a knowing look. "Must've been one fierce dog."

Probably some feisty little wildcat.