Ethan hadn’t slept.

The curtains in his penthouse were drawn tight against the morning light, but even darkness couldn’t cool the storm inside him. The last twenty-four hours had spun completely out of his control. The press had shredded him. Sophie was everywhere—headlines, podcasts, trending clips. Even people who hadn’t cared before were suddenly calling her a symbol of strength.

He poured another drink, the bitter sting of whiskey doing little to settle his nerves.

Belinda walked into the room in a silk robe, nursing a mug of coffee. “You look like you’ve been wrestling ghosts.”

“I should’ve finished her when I had the chance,” he muttered, pacing the floor....