Chapter 469

The rain outside the window gradually subsided, but Ethan Roscente's thoughts churned like turbulent waves.

He felt certain he'd overlooked some crucial clue, but each time he nearly grasped it, the thought slipped away like a darting fish.

"Ouch..." Sophia Lowell's delicate whimper interrupted his reverie.

He looked down at the woman in his arms and gave her backside a light tap with his palm. "Such a delicate flower?" His tone was stern, but his movements gentled as he effortlessly scooped her up.

Thunder rumbled through the clouds while the temperature in the room steadily climbed.

When Ethan carried Sophia out of the bathroom, she was pliant as melted wax. His touch had been unusually tender today, leaving no discomfort in her abdomen. Still, she reached for the pill bottle in her bag.

"What's this?" Ethan emerged, towel-drying his hair.

Sophia shook the bottle, locking eyes with him. "Prenatal vitamins. Believe me?"

His gaze flicked to the "Vitamin" label, and the tension in his jaw eased. Pulling her close, he murmured against her ear, "Want prenatal vitamins? Then I'll have to work harder to make your wish come true in two months."

Sophia exhaled discreetly. Her test had succeeded—he hadn't noticed. Though he'd relented about children, his earlier "tool" comment still festered in her heart like a splinter.

"Why the sudden change of heart?" she couldn't help asking.

Ethan's eyes darkened. Their last argument flashed in his mind, but honesty wasn't an option. "Figure it out yourself," he teased.

Sophia huffed and turned her back to him. This man always did this—deflecting every question onto her.

"Really mad now?" Ethan turned her back, finding her eyes suspiciously red. Lately, tears came too easily to her. If she actually got pregnant, would he spend every day comforting her?

The image of a teary-eyed Sophia with a rounded belly softened something in his chest. Fine—his woman, his responsibility to pamper. But the truth could wait.

"Zachary mentioned you asked about postponing the wedding?" he abruptly changed subjects.

Sophia bristled. That traitor Zachary! "Just making conversation," she said through gritted teeth. "With all your scandals, it's generous of Isabella to only delay things rather than cancel outright."

Ethan's expression cooled. "Is that what you really think?"

"What else?" Her laugh was brittle. "Keep this up, and next time it won't be a postponement—it'll be a cancellation."

After a weighted silence, he asked casually, "Which would you prefer—postponed or canceled?"

His tone was light, as if discussing the weather.