Chapter 15
712 Words
When Hearts Collide
Chapter 15 – A Surprise Visitor
The next morning, the headline about Ethan and Sophia was everywhere.
"CEO's Secret Romance?"
"Business Partners or Something More?"
Employees at Cole Developments tried to pretend they weren't reading the articles, but whispers followed Sophia wherever she went.
She kept her head high as she walked into the office.
Ryan met her near the elevators.
"How are you holding up?"
"I've had better mornings."
"You don't have to face this alone."
Before she could answer, Ethan stepped out of his office.
"The board meeting starts in five minutes."
His calm voice immediately drew everyone's attention.
Inside the boardroom, several directors looked concerned.
One of them placed a newspaper on the table.
"This publicity isn't good for the company."
Another added, "People are questioning whether Ms. Daniels is receiving special treatment."
Sophia lowered her eyes.
Before she could speak, Ethan stood.
"Ms. Daniels earned her position through talent and hard work."
The room fell silent.
"I selected her because she is one of the best architects I've worked with. Every promotion, responsibility, and opportunity she has received was based solely on merit."
He looked around the table.
"If anyone disagrees, present evidence—not rumors."
No one spoke.
The chairman finally nodded.
"The board accepts your statement."
Sophia felt a wave of relief.
Later that afternoon, she decided to take a short walk outside to clear her mind.
She stopped at a small café near the office and ordered coffee.
As she turned to leave, someone called her name.
"Sophia."
She froze.
The voice was painfully familiar.
Standing near the entrance was Adrian Morgan.
Her former fiancé.
He looked almost the same as he had two years earlier—well dressed, confident, and carrying the same charming smile.
"It's been a long time," he said softly.
Sophia took a steady breath.
"What are you doing here?"
"I've been trying to find you."
"I wasn't hiding."
He smiled awkwardly.
"I heard you moved to London."
"So you came all this way?"
"Yes."
She folded her arms.
"What do you want?"
Adrian looked genuinely remorseful.
"A chance to apologize."
They sat at a quiet table by the window.
For a few moments, neither of them spoke.
Finally, Adrian broke the silence.
"I made the biggest mistake of my life."
Sophia looked at him calmly.
"I know."
"I hurt you."
"You did."
"I've regretted it every single day."
She stirred her coffee without looking at him.
"You don't get to erase what happened just because you're sorry."
"I know."
He sighed.
"I just wanted you to hear it from me."
Sophia finally met his eyes.
"I forgave you a long time ago."
Hope flickered across Adrian's face.
"But forgiveness doesn't mean I want my old life back."
His smile slowly disappeared.
At that very moment, Ethan's car stopped at a traffic light across the street.
He glanced toward the café—and froze.
Through the window, he saw Sophia sitting with another man.
They appeared deep in conversation.
Ryan, sitting beside him, noticed the change in Ethan's expression.
"What is it?"
Ethan nodded toward the café.
"Who's that?"
Ryan looked carefully.
"I don't know."
Ethan watched as Adrian reached across the table and briefly touched Sophia's hand.
Sophia gently pulled her hand away, but from Ethan's angle, he couldn't see that.
His jaw tightened.
The traffic light turned green.
Cars behind them began honking.
Ryan looked at Ethan.
"We should go."
Ethan reluctantly drove away, unable to shake the image from his mind.
Back at the office, Sophia returned just before closing time.
She knocked on Ethan's office door.
"You wanted the revised drawings."
Without looking up from his desk, Ethan answered,
"Leave them there."
His tone was colder than usual.
Sophia frowned.
"Is everything all right?"
"I'm fine."
She hesitated.
"You don't seem fine."
Ethan finally looked at her.
His expression was unreadable.
"I have work to finish."
The sudden distance between them confused her.
She quietly placed the drawings on his desk and left the office.
As the door closed, Ethan leaned back in his chair.
He didn't know who the man at the café was.
But for the first time in years, he felt something he had almost forgotten.
Jealousy.
End of Chapter 15
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