CHAPTER 7: THE OTHER WOMAN

Sophia barely slept.

Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the marriage contract lying on her coffee table. Ethan's calm voice echoed in her mind, reminding her that she had forty-eight hours to make a decision.

By morning, her head ached from thinking.

She dressed for work as usual, forcing herself to believe that today would be normal. But the moment she walked into Harper & Cole, she knew something was different.

People weren't working.

They were whispering.

"Did you hear?"

"I still can't believe it."

"They say she's finally back."

Sophia frowned as she walked toward her desk.

Her friend and colleague, Lily, hurried over with wide eyes.

"Where have you been?" Lily asked.

"Home. Why?"

"You seriously haven't heard?"

"Heard what?"

Lily lowered her voice dramatically.

"Vanessa Laurent is back."

The name meant nothing to Sophia.

She blinked.

"Who is Vanessa Laurent?"

Lily looked at her as if she'd asked who the president was.

"You're joking, right? She's one of the country's biggest fashion entrepreneurs. More importantly..." Lily leaned closer. "Everyone says she's the only woman Ethan Sterling ever came close to marrying."

Sophia's fingers froze around the files she was holding.

"Ethan Sterling?"

Lily nodded eagerly.

"They've known each other for years. Their families are close, and the media has been trying to marry them off forever."

Sophia forced a small smile.

"I didn't know."

"Of course you didn't. You don't follow celebrity gossip."

Sophia laughed softly, but it didn't reach her eyes.

For reasons she couldn't explain, the news unsettled her.

She had no right to care.

Ethan wasn't her husband.

He wasn't even her fiancé.

He was simply a man who had offered her a contract.

Nothing more.

She repeated those words in her mind several times.

Yet they didn't make her feel any better.

---

Around noon, Mr. Harper stepped out of his office.

"Sophia."

"Yes, sir?"

"I need you to deliver these revised proposal documents to Sterling Holdings immediately."

Sophia's smile disappeared.

"Today?"

"Yes. Their legal department requested them."

She wanted to refuse.

She wanted to tell him to send someone else.

Instead, she nodded.

"I'll leave right away."

Less than an hour later, she was standing once again inside the towering lobby of Sterling Holdings.

Everything looked exactly as it had yesterday.

Elegant marble floor, crystal lights.

Employees moving with quiet confidence.

Sophia tightened her grip on the envelope.

She reminded herself she was here for work.

Nothing else.

As she approached the reception desk, a sudden commotion erupted near the entrance.

Several cameras flashed.

Security guards rushed forward.

Employees turned to look.

A sleek black luxury car stopped outside the building.

The driver opened the rear door.

A tall woman stepped out.

She wore a fitted white suit, expensive heels, and oversized sunglasses. Every movement was graceful, confident, and impossible to ignore.

The lobby fell silent.

"That's Vanessa."

Sophia heard someone whisper.

Vanessa removed her sunglasses and smiled as if she owned the building.

Without waiting for permission, she walked straight toward the elevators.

The receptionist stood nervously.

"Miss Laurent... Mr. Sterling is in a meeting."

Vanessa didn't stop walking.

"He'll see me."

"I'm afraid you'll need an appointment."

Vanessa's smile faded.

"I don't make appointments to see Ethan."

The elevator doors opened.

Before she could step inside, another voice echoed across the lobby.

"Miss Laurent."

Everyone turned.

Ethan Sterling emerged from a private elevator, dressed in a charcoal suit that fit him perfectly. His expression was calm as always, revealing nothing.

Vanessa's face softened.

"It's been too long, Ethan."

"It has."

She walked toward him without hesitation.

"I came back as soon as I heard."

"Heard what?"

"That your grandfather's will is forcing you to marry."

The whispers around the lobby grew louder.

Vanessa smiled confidently.

"You should have called me."

Ethan said nothing.

She reached for his arm.

"We both know this solves everything."

Sophia looked away.

She suddenly felt as though she shouldn't be watching.

This conversation wasn't meant for strangers.

She quietly moved toward the reception desk, hoping to hand over the documents and leave unnoticed.

Then Vanessa spoke again.

"Our families have wanted this for years."

She smiled proudly.

"I'll marry you."

The entire lobby waited.

Sophia held her breath without realizing it.

Ethan looked at Vanessa for a long moment.

When he finally spoke, his voice was steady.

"I appreciate your confidence."

Vanessa smiled.

"But you're too late."

Her smile disappeared.

"What do you mean?"

"I've already chosen someone."

A ripple of surprise spread through the crowd.

Vanessa laughed lightly.

"Stop joking."

"I don't joke."

Her expression hardened.

"Who is she?"

For the first time since entering the lobby, Ethan lifted his eyes.

They landed directly on Sophia.

She froze.

No...

Please don't look at me.

He began walking toward her.

Each step echoed across the silent lobby.

Sophia's pulse raced.

The employees stared in confusion.

Vanessa turned slowly, following Ethan's gaze.

Sophia wanted to disappear.

Instead, she stood rooted to the floor.

Ethan stopped beside her.

Without asking permission, he gently took the envelope from her trembling hands and placed it on the reception desk.

Then he looked at his stunned employees.

"Cancel my afternoon meetings."

His voice carried effortlessly through the lobby.

No one moved.

No one even breathed.

Finally, he turned to Sophia.

His eyes met hers with the same calm certainty she had seen in his office.

" My fiancée is coming with me."

The lobby erupted into gasps.

Sophia's heart nearly stopped.

She hadn't signed the contract.

Not yet.