"How did you escape back then, Ms. Sullivan?"
Ethan sat at the edge of light and shadow, his brow slightly furrowed.
According to his investigation, Sophia had disappeared from the orphanage and ended up stranded on a deserted island.
The question was as much for himself as for her. After all, no one knew how he had managed to escape from the traffickers all those years ago.
Sophia's lips curved. "The game isn't over yet, Mr. Sullivan. Win, and I'll tell you."
"A bet is a bet."
The second round began.
Luck was on Ethan's side—he won with rock-paper-scissors.
"My win."
He relaxed against the backrest, meeting Sophia's gaze.
Moonlight spilled over his shoulders, cool and gentle.
"I choose truth. I want to know how you escaped."
"To my shame," Sophia sighed.
"I was blind back then. A boy carried me out on his back. He said his name was Liam Winston."
The memory remained vivid even after all these years—the sensation of being carried step by step out of that desperate situation.
Sophia looked out the window.
"Later, to repay him, I married into the Winston family. But he'd long forgotten what he did."
The Liam Winston of today bore no resemblance to the boy who had saved her.
It was time to let go.
"Three years in the Winston household was enough to repay that debt. Now we're even."
Self-mockery laced her voice.
Moonlight filtered through the window, softening her striking features.
Ethan's voice was low. "Liam is a fool."
If he were Liam, he would never have let her go.
He sincerely hoped Liam and Chloe would stay miserably entangled forever.
A scumbag and a manipulative schemer—a perfect match.
"Congratulations on reclaiming yourself, Ms. Sullivan."
"And congratulations to you, Mr. Sullivan, for no longer needing to pretend to be disabled."
Sophia smiled at him.
"Who would've thought the seemingly impaired Mr. Sullivan is not only an excellent racer but also a thrill-seeker at heart?"
In that regard, they were perfectly matched.
Ethan recalled something. "That night on the cruise, you left right after tipping me. Said I was... inadequate."
Sophia: "..."
The man had an impeccable memory.
She arched a brow. "Poor performance deserves a pay cut."
They shared a laugh.
Those had been the exact words she'd left on the note after their one-night stand.
Past and present overlapped.
Ethan lowered his gaze. "It was my first time."
Hence the lack of restraint.
How many times they'd done it that night was long forgotten. Only the haze of passion remained—the marks left on heated skin.
The air grew thick with unspoken tension.
Sophia drowned in his gaze, like sinking into a sea of stars.
Outside, the mist began to clear.
Truthfully, they'd both been virgins that night.
Yet their bodies had fit together effortlessly. He'd gripped her waist, kissing her deeply again and again.
Who would've guessed the cold, restrained Mr. Sullivan could be so wild between the sheets?
Sophia teased, "No wonder I thought you were part dog."
"...Dog?" Ethan chuckled darkly.
He was indeed like a tamed hound—but one that still bared its fangs, desperate to claim her forever.
"We'll continue the game later. If you win, you can play with me like a dog."
Sophia: "...That won't be necessary."
Tonight's Ethan was unusually out of character.
"Play with me like a dog" reminded her too much of those restraints in the hidden room.
The game resumed.
Sophia's scissors beat Ethan's paper.
"Dare?" Ethan asked.
"Truth is more interesting. Secrets are best exchanged this way."
She met his eyes.
This truth would be her confession.
"I know you have feelings for me. But when I first came to the Sullivan family, I only wanted to use you to investigate my mother's whereabouts. Even helping Emma wasn't my original intention."
No more lies.
"Everything between us was tainted by ulterior motives. I buttered you up just to gain your trust and get closer to your grandmother. Curing her was the only way to learn more about my mother."
Nothing between them had ever been pure.
Mutual benefit. Hidden agendas.
Sophia said, "I'm not a good person, Mr. Sullivan. My hands are stained with blood. My secrets run deeper than you can imagine."
She'd once lived a life dancing on knife edges.
Any sane person would be terrified.
But Ethan's eyes held no surprise. No hesitation.
Not even anger at her deception.