Sophia let out a soft laugh and threw herself into the man’s arms.
“Ethan, I missed you.”
Her second brother, Ethan Reed, chuckled, ruffling her hair affectionately.
“Do you need me to teach that jerk a lesson?”
“No need.”
Sophia’s voice trembled. She sniffled, forcing back her tears.
“From now on, the eldest daughter of the Reed family is back. There’s no more Mrs. Kane.”
“That’s my girl,” Ethan said softly. “You’re the jewel of this family. You don’t need to suffer for anyone.”
“Dad and everyone are waiting at home.”
He wiped the tears from her eyes.
As the car pulled away, Sophia glanced back at the Cole Villa, her expression firm and cold.
Meanwhile, at the Kane Mansion, Alexander sat in silence.
The image of Sophia’s tear-streaked face haunted him.
He rubbed his temples — he must have lost his mind to still be thinking about that “vicious” woman.
The phone rang.
“Speak.”
“Mr. Kane, Miss Cole’s having another bleeding episode—”
Without hesitation, Alexander grabbed his coat and left.
Moments later, he arrived at the VIP suite of a Manhattan hospital.
Vanessa lay pale and weak on the bed.
“What happened?”
“Mr. Kane,” said his assistant James Quinn, bowing slightly, “Miss Cole heard about what happened at the mansion and insisted on finding you. Miss Carter tried to stop her, but she fainted from stress. The doctor’s checked her — the pregnancy isn’t stable. He suggested calling the Ghost Doctor, but… she’s been missing for over three years.”
James’s voice trailed off. The air around Alexander turned frigid.
“From now on, I want updates on Vanessa immediately.”
James nodded but hesitated again.
“There’s… something else. About Mrs. Kane.”
Alexander’s brows furrowed.
“Say it.”
“All traces of her — her photos, her records — they’re gone. It’s as if she never existed.”
Alexander’s eyes narrowed dangerously.
“Find her.”
So the woman had found someone else already?
Back in New York City, at the Reed Estate, Ethan and Sophia stepped inside.
An elderly man with silver hair hurried toward them, voice trembling.
“Why… why didn’t you come home sooner? My child…”
He studied her face, tears glimmering in his eyes.
“Dad…”
Her voice cracked.
Three years — and her father, Mr. Reed, looked so much older. Each wrinkle seemed carved by her absence.
“Come now, Reed,” said a calm male voice beside them.
Sophia turned — it was Adrian Scott, the family’s business partner and Alexander’s fiercest rival.
But she remembered meeting him once before — at a fashion event with Ethan. She had tripped on the stairs, and he had caught her.
He’d smelled faintly of cedar and cold air — like his expression, distant yet strangely familiar.
She had thanked him. He had frowned and replied flatly,
“It was nothing.”
Now, looking into his deep eyes again, Sophia felt that same inexplicable familiarity.
Her lips parted, but no words came.
“You’ve been gone for years,” Adrian said quietly. “Spend time with your family. They’ve missed you.”
Sophia’s cheeks warmed with shame. She had been too stubborn — too selfish.
“Get our guest some water,” Mr. Reed said kindly.
Sophia poured a glass and handed it to Adrian.
“Thank you for everything these years,” she said softly. “Please, have some water.”
