Chapter 472

Thunder rumbled outside as lightning split the night sky.

Sophia's fingers trembled, crumpling the page of her book.

"Hmm?" Ethan's deep voice drifted from behind her, laced with drowsy amusement.

She pressed her lips together, her heartbeat pounding like war drums.

"I..."

Before she could finish, a deafening thunderclap shook the building. The lights flickered twice before plunging them into darkness.

Sophia clutched the blanket tightly.

"Don't be afraid." Ethan quickly lit his phone, the dim glow revealing her pale profile.

He moved to the window. "Power's out."

Sophia burrowed deeper under the covers, cocooning herself.

Hurried footsteps approached from the hallway.

"Mr. Roscente?" Zachary's voice cut through the rain. "The backup generator at the construction site failed too. Here are emergency candles."

Two white candles were handed over, their flames dancing in the wind.

Ethan shut the door, casting intertwining shadows on the walls. He lifted a corner of the blanket and pulled her into his arms.

"Let go!" Sophia struggled, slapping his arm.

"You really want to be alone in the dark?" His low chuckle brushed against her ear.

In the candlelight, their faces were inches apart when Ethan suddenly murmured, "Feels like our wedding night."

"Who uses white candles for a wedding?" She glared. "That's bad luck."

"Should I get dragon-phoenix candles next time?" His fingers twirled a lock of her hair.

"Maybe you should retake literature class." She rolled her eyes.

"A Harvard legacy student needs remedial courses?"

"I was the provincial top scorer in college entrance exams."

"I got admitted at twelve."

"I won the状元 at seventeen."

Ethan frowned abruptly. "Why did you only start grad school at twenty-one?"

Sophia's breath hitched.

That winter had been particularly bitter. Standing on the rooftop edge, she hadn't even felt the snowflakes settling on her wounds. Her mother, eyes swollen from crying, had kept vigil beside her for an entire year.

"Cold?" Ethan drew her closer.

Sophia shut her eyes, feigning sleep.

The candle wick crackled.

"During this business trip," he said suddenly, "I uncovered the truth behind your so-called 'accidents.'"