At the station, they kept calling it a misunderstanding.
The officers weren’t cruel. That almost made it worse.
“Ms. Bennett, the injured party said if you apologize, this can end here.”
“I didn’t push her.”
A sigh.
“Your husband says emotions were high. These things happen.”
“My husband,” I repeated.
Like the phrase itself tasted rotten.
My assistant finally got permission to see me. She rushed in, eyes swollen from crying, clutching a folder to her chest.
“Ms. Bennett, corporate has ruled that the formula leak came from our side,” she whispered. “They’re saying you were the project lead, so you’re responsible.”
I stared at her.
My shoulder throbbed so hard I could barely sit upright.
“Responsible?”
Her face crumpled. “They want proof Lila stole it. Without proof, they won’t take your word over theirs.”
Of course they wouldn’t.
Why would they?
The cheating husband. The pregnant mistress. The brilliant female executive with a bad temper.
People always preferred the simpler story.
The officers left us alone for a while.
I sat there staring at the tabletop, feeling like my mind had split into two people.
One was telling me to apologize and save the project.
The other was screaming that if I bowed now, I would never stand straight again.
A knock came at the door.
“Ms. Bennett, your family is here.”
Ethan entered alone.
He told my assistant to leave.
Then he just stood there, looking at me like he didn’t know where to put his hands.
I don’t know how long passed before he finally crouched in front of me.
“I know you’re stubborn,” he said quietly. “I’ve already convinced Lila to let this go.”
I looked at him. “I told you I didn’t push her.”
His expression tightened.
I asked the question I already knew the answer to anyway.
“Why don’t you believe me?”
He looked away.
Because in his heart, she mattered more.
Because if only one woman could be protected, it was never going to be me.
Still, I asked again.
“Why?”
His voice dropped. “Sophia… that’s not the important part.”
I laughed once.
Sharp. Empty.
“Then tell me what is important.”
He exhaled and leaned closer like he was about to offer mercy.
“The company already has the formula. But I can get it back under one condition.”
I didn’t speak.
He still couldn’t meet my eyes.
“You release a statement saying Free Wings was developed by Lila.”
For a moment, everything inside me went silent.
Then very carefully, I said, “You’re joking.”
“Sophia—”
“Everyone in the company knows my name is on that report.”
“You have your mother’s reputation behind you,” he said quickly. “You can start over anywhere. Lila has nothing. She switched jobs on passion alone. She’s carrying my child. I already owe her more than I can repay. If I can’t even do this for her—”
I jerked my hand away from him.
“So ruin me instead?”
He tried to take my hand again. “She won’t overshadow you. Once she gets recognition through this launch, she’ll leave the industry. You still have chances. She only has me.”
I stared at him.
Really stared.
And in that moment, I understood something I’d been resisting for weeks.
This man would burn down my life and call it practical.
“I don’t agree,” I said.
His voice went flat. “Think carefully.”
I leaned forward, tears burning, rage hotter than the pain in my shoulder. “My mother’s formula. My years of work. Why should that go to your mistress?”
His face hardened too.
“I’m choosing the solution that protects the maximum benefit for everyone.”
I laughed.
“Everyone? Or you?”
He went very still.
And then it hit me.
The formula hadn’t only existed in the company archive.
There was a backup in our home office.
At home.
I looked straight at him.
“It was you.”
He didn’t answer.
He didn’t have to.
I slapped him so hard the sound cracked across the room.
He took it without flinching.
Then he straightened slowly and said, “Lila signed the forgiveness letter. You can leave now. Go home and think it over.”
Home.
I almost laughed again.
There was no home left.