"This information is too sensitive to entrust to anyone else."
Ryan Lawrence's gaze swept over the sprawled bodies of mafia members littering the floor.
He chuckled into the phone, pressing a finger to his lips.
One of the fallen men suddenly widened his eyes.
A flash of steel.
A head rolled across the floor.
Ryan kept smiling.
"Sis, I want to hand it to you personally."
"Fine. Five o'clock at the café."
Sophia Sullivan gripped her phone until her knuckles turned white.
Strange noises crackled through the line.
The sound of liquid splattering.
She recalled Ryan mentioning the mafia earlier.
"Are you in danger?"
"Not at all."
Ryan never wanted her to worry.
He always tried to prove he'd grown up.
No longer the child needing protection.
The dagger wiped clean against his suit.
No trace of blood remained.
"Don't worry, sis. Everything's handled."
The young man's smile shone bright.
Finally, they'd meet.
——
Two days later, at the café.
Soft music filled the air.
"Two cappuccinos and a brownie, please."
Sophia arrived early, choosing a seat by the window.
Wind chimes tinkled.
She looked up.
But it wasn't Ryan who entered.
"Ethan, would you prefer Americano or latte?"
Olivia Laurent trailed behind Ethan Sullivan like a shadow.
Ethan didn't answer.
His eyes locked onto the corner booth.
Meeting Sophia's gaze.
The air froze instantly.
Olivia spotted Sophia, calculation flashing in her eyes.
This woman must have planned this encounter.
She plastered on a smile.
"What a coincidence, Miss Sullivan."
Without waiting for a response, Olivia continued.
"Let's sit here. I adore that flower arrangement."
Purple asters bloomed beautifully in the vase.
Ethan gave a noncommittal hum.
Olivia hid her triumph.
Sunlight streamed through the window.
Silhouetting Ethan's tall frame.
Sophia lifted her lashes.
The familiar scent of sandalwood drifted over.
A perfume she'd crafted herself.
When she refocused, Ethan had taken the adjacent seat.
The aisle between them was narrow.
Much like their relationship.
Close, yet distant.
Olivia smiled sweetly at Sophia.
"You don't mind, do you?"
"Make yourself at home."
Sophia rested her chin on her hand, amusement dancing in her eyes.
"It's a public space."
Olivia blinked in surprise.
Rumors claimed Sophia and Ethan shared a deep connection.
Yet the woman seemed utterly unperturbed.
Olivia quickly adjusted her expression.
"Ethan's such a workaholic. He barely spares time for coffee."
She deliberately pulled her chair closer.
Placing herself squarely between them.
Her behavior lacked all decorum of a socialite.
"He's been the golden child since we were kids."
Olivia launched into nostalgic ramblings.
"Ethan always loved my family's herb-roasted chicken."
"That was grandmother's doing."
Ethan's voice dripped sarcasm.
"She overpaid your family out of gratitude."
The Laurents' greed knew no bounds.
They'd broken off the engagement the moment they learned of his disability.
Olivia's smile faltered momentarily.
But she recovered swiftly.
"Did you at least enjoy the taste?"
"Couldn't say."
Ethan's tone remained flat.
"Fed it all to Lucky."
Lucky was the Sullivans' family dog.
Olivia stiffened.