The Eternal Night Club's VIP lounge was steeped in darkness as thick as ink.
Julian Roscente pushed the door open to find Ethan Sullivan sitting alone in the corner.
Empty whiskey bottles littered the crystal coffee table.
"Well, this is rare," Julian arched a brow. "The great CEO Ethan drowning his sorrows?"
Ethan didn't look up.
His long fingers traced the rim of his glass.
Amber liquid swirled under the dim lighting.
An unapproachable aura radiated from him.
"Is this about Sophia?" Julian ventured.
The air turned glacial.
Ethan threw back the remaining whiskey in one gulp.
His Adam's apple bobbed.
"She's leaving for France," he rasped.
Julian's eyes widened in understanding.
"No wonder." He poured himself a drink. "And you're letting her go?"
Ethan's laugh was bitter.
His grip threatened to shatter the glass.
"What right do I have to stop her?"
Julian leaned closer.
"Stop pretending to be noble. We both know you'd chain her to your side if you could."
Ethan's gaze darkened.
"She made it clear," he said flatly. "Flirting is just a game for adults."
Julian scoffed.
"When a woman says no, she means yes."
He lowered his voice.
"Why not give Olivia Laurent a chance?"
Ethan's head snapped up.
His glare could cut steel.
"Get out."
Julian remained unfazed.
"The Greenwood heiress is obsessed with you." He swirled his drink. "One little hint from you, and—"
Ethan shot to his feet.
His suit jacket slid to the floor.
"Stay away from her."
Julian smirked.
"Which her? Olivia or...Sophia?"
Ethan grabbed a fresh bottle.
He drank straight from it.
The liquor burned his throat but couldn't numb the ache in his chest.
"You're done for," Julian shook his head. "Completely gone."
Ethan collapsed back onto the couch.
His arm draped over his eyes.
In the darkness, all he saw was Sophia walking away.
That finality in her step.
Her words echoed: "Ethan, we're over."
Pathetic.
He never even had the right to begin.
Julian sighed.
"Should I talk to her?"
"Don't."
Ethan's voice was ice.
A warning that brooked no argument.
Julian raised his hands in surrender.
"Fine. Suffer in silence then."
He stood to leave but paused.
"About the Greenwood project..."
"Cancel it."
Ethan cut him off.
Right now, nothing else mattered.
Julian hesitated but ultimately walked out without another word.
Silence reclaimed the lounge.
Ethan pulled out his phone.
Sophia's sleeping face filled the screen.
A stolen moment captured forever.
His fingers brushed the image.
His gaze turned feverish.
Yes.
He was addicted.
Not to the game.
To her.
Every strand of hair.
Every inch of skin.
She drove him mad.
And now—
She was leaving.
For a world without him.
Ethan chuckled darkly.
The sound echoed through the empty room.
Desperate.
Obsessed.
"Sophia..."
His whisper was a vow.
"You can't run."
By any means necessary—
He would keep her.
Forever.