Sophia Sullivan glanced at Ethan Sullivan through the rearview mirror.
That kiss had come out of nowhere.
She hadn't resisted.
Ethan was a better kisser than she'd expected.
The DNA results had confirmed they weren't related.
That inexplicable pull between them sent tremors through her soul.
Sophia wasn't some naive ingénue.
She could tell Ethan treated her differently.
She wasn't sure yet what kind of feelings they were.
But getting close to him was undoubtedly the fastest way to reach Mrs. Sullivan.
"Quite the performance," Sophia murmured, lightly pressing the accelerator.
Ethan always appeared cold and restrained in public.
But when he kissed her, it was like he became someone else.
Madness lurked beneath that calm exterior.
A well-dressed psychopath.
That was what made him dangerously alluring.
"Who would've thought a man like him enjoys pottery?"
Sophia found it jarring.
Ethan's intensity clashed with the slow, meditative nature of ceramics.
She pulled up to her house.
Isabella Robinson handed her a glass of ice water.
"How was class today? Any trouble?"
Isabella's gaze was sharp.
She zeroed in on Sophia's lips.
"What happened to your mouth?"
She grabbed Sophia's wrist.
"It's swollen. Spill it!"
Sophia instinctively touched her lips.
"...Mosquito bite."
Isabella clearly didn't buy it.
Sophia took a sip of water and changed the subject.
"My student today was talented."
"She replicated my technique on the first try."
"Steadiest hands I've seen."
"Too bad she's so closed off."
"Art needs inspiration and outside influence."
"Without experiencing the world, her work will always lack soul."
"She reminds me of myself years ago."
"But you can't rush someone with her condition. It takes time."
Isabella had no interest in pottery.
"Did you find any leads at the Sullivan estate?"
"Not exactly leads."
Sophia set down her glass.
"Have you noticed Ethan's necklace?"
Isabella shook her head.
"He's always in a suit. Who could see it?"
Sophia's expression darkened.
"The serpent pendant he wears is identical to my mother's."
"He said it was left to him by his mother."
Isabella's eyes widened.
She knew how long Sophia had been searching for that necklace.
"You're not secretly siblings, are you?"
Sophia shook her head.
"The DNA results came back negative."
"Mrs. Sullivan is his birth mother, so it can't be mine."
"The only way forward now is through Mrs. Sullivan."
"I have to meet her."
Isabella nodded.
"Let me know if you need anything."
Once business was settled, Isabella realized she'd been sidetracked again.
She leaned in with a knowing smirk.
"Ethan treats you differently, you know."
"I've never seen him care about anyone like this."
Isabella arched a brow.
"Be honest. Are you using him?"