“She had me before she met you,” Sophia said gently. “She was young. Afraid you’d reject her. She left me with my grandmother in Queens. But she visited whenever she could. I was her secret.”
Ethan felt something inside him collapse and rebuild all at once.
“Grandma died six months after Mom,” Sophia continued. “Ryan’s men burned the apartment. I barely escaped. I’ve been hiding. Watching you. Waiting to see if you were good.”
Ethan stood and pulled her into his arms, ignoring the dirt, the stares.
“It’s over now,” he said fiercely. “No more hunger. No more fear. He’ll pay.”
For the next three days, Ethan moved with calculated precision. Sophia stayed in a secure suite under protection. Cleaned and fed, she looked even more like Isabella — but her mind was sharp, fearless.
The USB contained everything: financial transfers, recordings, emails. Ryan hadn’t just killed Isabella. He’d stolen millions from Ethan for years.
Sophia had one more warning.
“He plans to kill you Friday. Elevator malfunction during your investor meeting at Hudson Tower.”
Friday arrived.
Ethan entered the boardroom. Ryan greeted him with his usual confident smile.