Sophia Sullivan narrowed her eyes.
The man moved with lethal precision.
His strikes were vicious.
His reflexes lightning-fast.
Clearly professionally trained.
His skills rivaled even the assassin organization she'd once belonged to.
But what truly alarmed her was the feral intensity radiating from his bones.
Only those who'd survived life-or-death battles possessed such eyes.
Like a lone wolf in the wilderness.
Ready to tear its prey apart at any moment.
This man was dangerous.
She wanted no trouble.
Her phone screen suddenly lit up.
Missed call notifications flooded in.
Sophia glanced at the time.
8:30 AM.
The divorce appointment was at nine.
She looked down at herself.
Most shirt buttons missing.
Collar torn.
An utterly disheveled sight.
She strode to the wardrobe.
Grabbed a white shirt at random and changed.
Sent a quick text to her best friend.
"All good. Talk later."
At the doorway, she paused.
Turned back to survey the rumpled bed.
Sophia snatched a notepad.
Scrawled a line.
Tossed some loose bills beneath the gun.
"Terrible performance. Deducting pay. Here's your tip."
Her lips twisted wryly.
The man had shredded her clothes.
This small deduction was letting him off easy.
Sophia smoothed her collar with brisk efficiency.
Started the sports car while calling the cruise director.
"Erase all surveillance footage of me."
"Understood," came the deferential reply.
The engine roared as the car shot forward like an arrow.
Yet even flooring the accelerator.
She arrived thirty minutes late at the Civil Affairs Bureau.
Sophia expected to feel sorrow.
But her heart remained still as stagnant water.
Three years of marriage.
From hopeful beginnings to utter disillusionment.
It was time to end this.
Liam Winston waited by the entrance.
Leaning against his car, checking his watch repeatedly.
Chloe Evans clung to his arm, whispering something that made him smile.
"Liam, you really didn't have to—"
Chloe's words died as she spotted Sophia.
Liam's expression darkened instantly.
Brows furrowing.
"Pathetic, playing the late card."
His icy gaze swept over Sophia.
"I told you—no amount of begging will change my mind."
The words hit Sophia as she stepped out of the car.
Her stomach churned.
This was the man she'd once loved.
Now rendered utterly repulsive.
Sophia met his eyes squarely.
"I never regret my decisions."
Suddenly it all seemed absurd.
All these years lying to herself.
Pretending Liam remained that boy from her memories.
When he'd long since become someone else.
Arrogant. Conceited.
"Let's get this over with."
Sophia produced her documents, striding past them into the building.
"My time is valuable."