The house didn’t feel the same anymore. Not after Lily’s question. Not after Ethan’s answer.
Are you going to come back?
Sophie couldn’t shake it off. Because it wasn’t what he said— It was how long it took him to say it. That hesitation had followed her all the way into his study.
“You’re still going, aren’t you?”
Ethan didn’t look up from the table.
“Yes.”
Of course.
Sophie closed the door behind her slowly. “Then we plan it properly.”
“We already are.”
“We?” she repeated.
He finally looked at her. “My team.”
“And I’m not part of that?”
“You’re part of what I’m protecting.”
“That’s not the same thing.”
“It is to me.”
Sophie walked further into the room. “No,” she said. “It’s convenient to you.”
Ethan’s jaw tightened slightly. “That’s not fair.”
“What’s not fair is you ma
