Chapter 60 Sharp Edges
Lena followed Sophie through the hallway, still holding the cinnamon roll Sophie had handed her in the kitchen. She hadn't meant to say yes she'd just been caught off guard. And Sophie had asked so warmly, so casually. Refusing would've felt unnecessarily formal.
Still, as they neared the lounge, Lena felt a strange knot in her stomach. She brushed it off. Maybe it was just the timing. Maybe it was seeing Ethan.
Not that it mattered. It wasn't like she felt anything. It was just... complicated energy.
Ethan was still on the couch when they walked in, one hand resting over the arm, the other holding his phone. He looked relaxed in posture, but his mind was somewhere else until Sophie's voice broke in.
"There you are!" she chirped, stepping into the room with a bright grin. "Alright this one's special. I added nutmeg and just a tiny bit of cardamom. You're going to love it."
Ethan looked up.
His eyes went from Sophie to the person behind her, and he stiffened, just barely.
Lena.
For a moment, he didn't move. Something shifted under his skin that subtle internal jolt he'd started to feel around her lately.
He sat up straighter without thinking.
Sophie placed the plate of cinnamon roll into his hands and dropped beside him on the couch, all brightness and ease.
Lena stepped in after her, not missing Ethan's quick shift in energy. Her mouth curved into a small, polite smile. "Hi," she said lightly, trying not to let the awkwardness touch her voice.
Ethan met her gaze briefly. "Hey." His tone was measured, quiet.
She crossed the room and settled into the armchair opposite them, legs crossed neatly, gown hugging her figure tightly.
"I saw your wife and asked her to join us," Sophie added with a grin.
That made Ethan pause just slightly. He was used to Sophie's bluntness, but hearing Lena being called "your wife" out loud caught him off guard. The title always sounded more official than the relationship felt.
"Oh," he said, eyes flicking toward Lena. "That was nice of you."
Lena gave Sophie a small smile, but inside, something prickled. It wasn't Sophie's fault. It was just that the word wife still hung strangely in the air like it didn't quite fit her, yet it belonged to her.
"Wow... this is really lovely," Ethan said, his voice softer than usual free of his usual sarcasm or detached coolness.
Sophie lit up instantly. "I told you you'd like this one better," she said, beaming.
"You're getting better, day by day." Ethan said
She blushed, Ethan gave a small, almost unnoticeable smile but Lena noticed. So did Sophie.
Lena stared at Ethan, her thoughts quietly spinning. Lately, she'd begun noticing different versions of him shades that didn't fit the cold, distant man she thought she knew.
He was still sharp-edged with most people, but around Sophie, he softened in ways that caught Lena off guard. The way his voice gentled, the warmth in his eyes, even the effortless compliments he gave none of it matched the image she had of him. Watching him now, so tender and unguarded, made her cheeks warm. She looked away quickly, hoping he didn't notice the blush creeping across her face.
Just then, Mena; Ethan's personal maid stepped into the room, a small elegant box in hand.
"Good afternoon," she greeted them politely, then walked over to Ethan and handed him the box.
"Thank you," he said with a brief nod. Mena turned and left as quietly as she came.
Sophie's eyes lit up with instant curiosity. "Wait... is that a Van Cleef box?"
Ethan looked at it, then at her. "Yes," he said, and casually handed it over.
Sophie gasped and reached for it. "Is this what I think it is?"
"Well, since you're here..." Ethan said with a shrug. "Might as well give it to you now. They notified me about the new collection. I know you love Van Cleef, so I picked something out."
"Ohhh my gosh," Sophie breathed, carefully lifting the lid.
Inside was a delicate set of earrings, a necklace, and a matching bangle. Rose gold with the brand's signature clover motif, dainty but stunning.
Sophie's mouth hung open for a second before she looked up at him, eyes wide. "You're actually the best."
She leaned over and gave him a hug tight, genuine. Ethan stiffened briefly, as he always did with unexpected affection, but then relaxed into it. He didn't hug her back fully, but he didn't pull away either.
"I'm sure Ethan got you a matching set, right?" Sophie asked nonchalantly, flashing a warm smile as she glanced at the bracelet on her wrist. Before Lena could respond, she continued, her tone still light but tinged with something more personal. "I used to get jealous of whoever my brother would marry even before meeting them."
Lena looked at her, caught slightly off guard.
Sophie's eyes lingered on her, her smile never quite fading. "He pampers the women he loves so much. I mean, he really spoils them. I'm sure you can attest to that."
Sophie was waiting for Lena to agree, to say yes, that's true, to confirm the version of Ethan she knew.
But Lena couldn't. She couldn't relate. Not fully.
Her relationship with Ethan had never felt like that. Whatever was between them, it wasn't soaked in tenderness or indulgence, it was measured, restrained, and layered with unspoken rules. And he certainly wasn't in love with her.
So Lena just smiled.
Sophie blinked, clearly expecting more than that. Something in her shifted slightly, her gaze tightening in quiet observation.
Sophie was the only one who truly understood Ethan. She saw through the cold, calculated exterior he wore so well. Beneath the sharp edges and the silence, she knew he was, at his core, just a sweetheart guarded, yes, but deeply loyal and incredibly tender with the people he cared about. And maybe that's why, despite everything, she believed his wife or whoever she was to him would get the very best of him. Because if Ethan could be this gentle with her, as his sister, she could only imagine the kind of love he'd give to the woman he chose.
Ethan, who had been unusually quiet, turned his attention to Lena. "Do you like Van Cleef?" he asked, watching her closely.
Before Lena could answer, Sophie cut in with a soft scoff. "You don't even know what she likes?"
Ethan leaned back slightly, unbothered. "We got married quickly," he said. "There wasn't exactly time to learn everything."
Sophie gave a slow, almost knowing smile. "Mm."
"Don't worry," Lena said, her voice smooth, her smile composed. "He's gotten me so many other gifts."
At that, Sophie's face lit up again, the cheer returning to her voice. "I'm sure of that," she said brightly, her eyes flicking down as she casually examined the jewelry with quiet interest.
then glanced at his watch, then stood up, smoothing out his shirt. "I have to head to the office," he said, his tone clipped but not unkind.
Sophie's face dropped just a little. "Already?"
He nodded. "There's a meeting I can't push."
Sophie crossed her arms lightly, the hint of a pout forming on her lips. "You barely stayed."
"I stayed longer than I planned," he replied, almost smiling. "I'll be back later."
Sophie didn't argue. Instead, she stood and followed him out, Lena trailed behind, stopping a few steps from the car. "Goodbye, Ethan," she said softly.
He glanced at her briefly. "Goodbye."
He got in, closed the door, and drove off. Sophie stood there a moment, watching the car disappear before turning back toward the house.