Chapter 2

I stared at the manuscript for a long time, and then I ripped the design papers into pieces.

Andrew stared at me and said through gritted teeth, "Sophie, what the hell are you doing?"

I forced a smile. "Andrew, you have famous designers for all your properties. Why would you even need sketches from a nobody like me?"

I added, "I don't want my designs ruining your perfect house. Let's just forget it."

Andrew's face darkened, and his fingers kept tapping against his leg.

I knew that meant he was about to explode, but I'd never been afraid of his temper. I let out a cold laugh and stormed off to my room.

Behind me, I heard Emily's sweet, understanding voice. "Andrew, don't be angry. Sophie's used to having you all to herself, so of course she's uncomfortable now that I'm here.

"Let me go talk to her. After all, now that we're together, she has one more person who cares about her."

I slammed my door shut and locked it, hoping that would keep Emily out.

But nothing ever worked with her.

I'd barely sat down on my bed when Emily opened my door with a spare key.

She walked in like she owned the place, humming some tune I didn't recognize.

I watched her coldly as she settled onto the small sofa. "Ms. Reed, who said you could come in? This is my room."

Emily dangled the key and smiled. "Sophie, this is Andrew's house, which makes it my house too. I can go wherever I want in my own home, can't I?"

My face stayed blank, but my chest ached like hell.

Emily wasn't done yet. She shifted toward me and angled her body so I could see the red marks trailing down from her collarbone.

She tugged at her skimpy nightgown and laughed softly. "It's actually pretty cold wearing this on a rainy day like this, but what can I do? Andrew insisted I wear it. He said it shows off my curves and turns him on."

I gave her a mocking look. "Emily, what's the point of putting on this show for me?"

Her smile widened. "Oh, I'm way more of a show in front of Andrew! Can't help it. Andrew loves it."

She sighed, "Guess that's just how men are. They all fall for surface-level sex appeal and beauty. Not a single one can resist."

Nausea rolled through my stomach, and I couldn't take it anymore. I grabbed Emily's arm and shoved her out of the room.

She didn't fight back. But the second I pushed her through the doorway, she let out a sharp scream and threw herself to the floor.

Andrew came running from the living room and pulled Emily into his arms. He looked her over anxiously. "Are you okay?"

Emily's eyes were red and watery, and her fingers clutched his shirt as they trembled. Still, she managed a fragile smile. "Andrew, don't blame Sophie. It was my fault. I wasn't careful."

Andrew looked up at me, and his eyes were full of disappointment. "Sophie, you don't have to like Emily, but that doesn't give you the right to hurt her. What if something serious had happened? Could you even live with yourself?"

Then he carefully lifted Emily into his arms and carried her back to the bedroom.

Emily was curled up in Andrew's arms, and she shot me a challenging look.

I watched them walk away, and for a moment I felt like Andrew wasn't the same person anymore—the one who used to put me first no matter what.

But I didn't care anymore.

The next day, I went to the studio to resign and hand over my work.

My business partner tried to stop me. "We built this studio together from the ground up. How can you just pull out your shares?"

I said, "I've been in this city for seventeen years, but it was never really home."

She looked disappointed, but she didn't push any further.

When I walked out of the studio, sunlight hit my face and warmed my skin. It felt so good, I had to squint.

"Soph."

I opened my eyes and looked toward the voice. Andrew was leaning against his car, watching me.