Chapter 396

Ethan Roscente's eyes turned icy, his long fingers tightening on the edge of the table.

"Sophia, stop this."

Her lips curled into a mocking smile. "When have I ever?"

His heavy gaze settled on her pale face. "So eager to draw a line between us?"

Sophia Lowell's fingers unconsciously twisted the bedsheet. Her voice was feather-light. "The line was always there."

He was the moon in the sky. She was dust beneath his feet.

These two years of absurd entanglement were nothing but her delusion.

Ethan studied her for a long moment before speaking. "That call earlier was about last night."

Her head snapped up. "And?"

"Curious?" He arched a brow leisurely.

"Obviously!" She gritted her teeth. "I have the right to know."

He adjusted his cuffs with deliberate slowness. "Finish your breakfast first."

"Not hungry."

She turned away, her stomach knotted like cotton.

"Fine."

As he turned to leave, Sophia blurted out, "I'll have the porridge!"

Ethan didn't look back. "Wait."

Minutes later, he returned with a tray.

Steam rose from the plain congee, accompanied by two small side dishes. Despite her earlier lack of appetite, the aroma made her stomach growl.

After washing up, she settled back in bed, sipping from the bowl.

The porridge was perfectly cooked, the sides refreshing. She hadn't expected Ethan to have such good taste.

He stood by the bed, watching her eat.

"Done."

"That's all?" His brows furrowed. "Birds eat more than you."

She wiped her mouth. "The stray downstairs finishes two cans per meal. That's why it's round as a ball."

"......"

The calico cat stumbled mid-jump onto the bed.

Rude much, human?

Meeting the cat's indignant stare, Sophia quickly scooped it into her arms, scratching its head. "Our Calico isn't fat. She's voluptuous, the Marilyn Monroe of cats."

The cat immediately purred, tail held high.

Watching this, Ethan felt an inexplicable tightness in his chest. He'd stayed up all night, only to be met with coldness. This fat cat did nothing but eat and sleep, yet got all the cuddles and kisses.

At twenty-eight, it was his first time feeling upstaged by a feline.