Liam Winston had only wanted to understand why Sophia Sullivan, with all her talents, had hidden them for three long years.
The truth, when revealed, wasn't that she had deliberately concealed them.
It was him—he had demanded she remain nothing more than a homemaker all along.
His chest tightened as if something heavy had lodged itself there.
Instinctively, he wanted to flee.
So his words turned icy and cutting.
"No matter how much you imitate Chloe, you'll never come close to her."
He had often said similar things before.
Back then, Sophia would always fall silent.
Her eyes would hold a sorrow too subtle to notice.
He thought this time, too, he could shatter her calm facade.
Even her hatred would be better than indifference.
But Sophia was eerily composed.
As if she were looking at a stranger.
"Of course. After all, no matter what I did these past three years, you always said you hated it."
"Whether I was an orphan or the Sullivan heiress, your disgust never changed."
"But now, I feel the same about you."
She had finally let go.
Released her obsession.
"Liam, if you could at least stay consistent in hating me, I might respect your dedication."
"But this pathetic, clingy act? It just disgusts me."
Her detached words were like ice spikes.
Driving straight into Liam's heart.
Isabella Robinson nodded immediately.
"Exactly! Chasing after her like some stray mutt?"
She couldn't help but laugh.
"Don't tell me you're having regrets now? Too bad—"
"If you don't hurry back, your precious Chloe might cry herself into a faint!"
"Our Sophia is far too exceptional for the likes of you."
"Oh dear, and that other one over there can't even manage to be a proper mistress. How tragic."
Isabella's tongue was merciless.
Within moments, Chloe's eyes welled up with tears.
"If Liam still has feelings for you... I'll step aside."
Her voice trembled.
Tears spilled over.
"Believe it or not, I never wanted to take anything from you."
"I was just following my heart."
With that, she wiped her tears and fled.
Her retreating figure was resolute.
Only then did Liam snap out of it.
"Chloe! Wait!"
But she was already gone.
He whirled on Sophia, glaring.
"You did this on purpose? Playing hard to get?"
"Don't think this will make me like you!"
"Even if you've caught my attention, you won't tear us apart!"
He rushed after Chloe without another glance.
Sophia was left speechless.
What an absolute fool.
The illusion had shattered after the divorce.
Now she saw her ex-husband for the garbage he was.
She even agreed with Isabella's assessment.
She really had been blind back then.
Isabella watched the two disappear before turning to Sophia.
"Are you sure he's not mentally ill?"
"I wasn't before, but now I am."
Sophia exhaled deeply.
"Let them stay locked in their little tragedy."
"Just keep them away from me."