Sophia Reed stood perfectly straight, flipping her hair deliberately. Just when Ethan Kane thought she was about to argue again, she merely smiled.
“Of course not. I just didn’t want to interrupt your dinner.”
Her gaze drifted to the half-eaten meal on the table.
“Have you eaten?”
Alexander Kane suddenly asked. Sophia’s smile froze for a moment before she exhaled lightly and kept her composure.
“I already had dinner with a friend outside. Please, carry on.”
With that, she turned and went back to her room.
She paced for a while, thinking hard until finally an idea sparked. Glancing at the clock, she knew Alexander would be in his study by now—just like every night.
In the kitchen, she prepared a cup of pour-over coffee, steadied her breath, and gently knocked on the study door.
A cold, emotionless voice came from within, as always. She took a deep breath and pushed the door open.
The study was spacious but dim; only the desk lamp cast a warm halo across the room. The sight softened Alexander’s sharp profile, making him look almost… human. That eased Sophia’s nerves. She inhaled subtly, then put on her practiced, calm smile.
“Mr. Kane,” she said softly, “I brought you some milk—and I thought I’d give you an update on Little Boat’s recent progress.”
She set the cup on his desk.
Alexander finally lifted his deep, unreadable eyes. Seeing her conservative outfit and the way she stood awkwardly with her fingers twisting together, his brows furrowed slightly.
That gesture—it was just like her, the one who had died. Every time that woman had been nervous, her eyes would dart away, and her fingers would fidget uncontrollably. She’d thought she was hiding her feelings, but every move had betrayed her.
Trying to sound casual, Sophia continued, “Warm milk helps you sleep better—it’s good for the nerves. You’ve seemed tired lately, Mr. Kane. Maybe you should try some?”
She smiled brightly as she nudged the cup closer to him, though inside she was tense.
Nathan Cole had warned her this stuff was strong. One wrong move and she would be the one in trouble.
All she needed was the photo—just enough to keep that bastard in line—and then she’d disappear.
Alexander’s frown deepened. Irritated, he picked up the cup and took a sip.
A second later, his piercing eyes locked onto hers, suddenly burning with intensity.
Sophia stiffened. Oh, hell no. Don’t tell me it’s working already? She’d barely used a drop! But that look—too familiar. No one knew better than her what Alexander Kane looked like when desire hit.
As his expression darkened, Sophia felt the pressure in the room build.
“I’ll head back now,” she muttered, turning to leave.
But before she could take two steps, his hand clamped around her wrist. Without a word, he dragged her into the bedroom. The door slammed shut behind them.
For a split second, memories from that other life—their nights together in that distant Hamptons villa—flashed through her mind.
Her face went pale. She stumbled backward until her knees hit the bed frame. Alexander moved toward her suddenly, pressing her down.
“Ah—wait!”
Her small gasp filled the room. She pushed at him with trembling hands—only to find, when she finally managed to free herself, that he’d gone completely still.
Asleep.
Sophia clutched her pounding chest, half in relief, half in disbelief. Then, seeing him soundly asleep, she couldn’t resist studying him up close.
Even in slumber, the man was unfairly beautiful.
“Mr. Kane? …Mr. Kane?” she whispered, waving a hand in front of his face. Nothing.
“Well,” she murmured smugly, “told you my little ‘sleep aid’ works wonders. You’ve had a long week—rest up, boss.”
She carefully guided him to the bed. Up close, she had to admit—Alexander Kane was infuriatingly perfect. The sculpted abs, the chiseled lines—sin made flesh.
Her cheeks heated. God, pull it together, Sophia.
This wasn’t the time to get distracted. Heaven had given her a second chance at life—not so she could fall for the same man again.
Pushing the thought away, she pulled out her phone, leaned in close, and snapped several intimate-looking photos—her arms draped around him, his shirt half open. Then she sent them straight to Nathan Cole.
A few minutes later, his reply came:
[Good work.]
[That’s just step one. Don’t stop there—you need to make him yours, Sophia. Become Mrs. Kane.]
Sophia snorted under her breath. Mrs. Kane? Not a chance. All she wanted was her family back—nothing more.
As her phone slipped from her grasp, her heart clenched. She turned to the sleeping man once more, eyes full of complicated emotions. Years had passed, yet Alexander hadn’t changed—if anything, he’d only become more composed, more dangerous.
He was a man she could never afford to desire again.
She took one last look and slipped quietly out of the room.
But the moment the door clicked shut, Alexander’s eyes opened. Confusion flickered in the dim light.
What on earth was that woman playing at?
He sat up slowly, gaze narrowing. Ever since she’d brought that milk, something about her actions had seemed off. But this was the Kane Manor. Whatever game she was running—how bad could it really be?
That was why he’d drunk it anyway.
And when he noticed the harmless, staged photos later, he couldn’t decide whether she was cunning or just plain foolish. In an age of deepfakes and AI edits, even if those photos spread, one call from the Kane Corporation’s legal team would bury every rumor.
Still, when she had fallen into his arms—he had hesitated.
But what was I expecting?
