Chapter 12
By the time I graduated, Crescent Group was thriving. To celebrate, my alma mater invited me back for a special event–a riding and archery tournament.
To me, it was little more than a chance to unwind, a nostalgic reminder of the years I’d spent
learning to master both disciplines.
As expected, I took first place with ease.
Descending from the podium, I was quickly surrounded by students and staff, eager to shake my
hand, to take pictures, to congratulate me.
I finally managed to slip free–only for a familiar voice to stop me in
my
tracks.
“Sophia.”
I turned.
Ethan Walker.
It had been years since we’d stood face–to–face. He had changed, but not entirely. His suit was tailored, his features more mature, but his eyes… those still carried the same hunger.
He paid no attention to Lily, who stood behind him, her face tight with resentment–as he walked
toward me.
“You’ve grown,” he said quietly. “Stronger. More beautiful. More… untouchable.”
His gaze lingered, filled with a strange mix of admiration and regret.
The look was familiar.
In my past life, I had seen that very expression on his face when Lily played piano at a banquet. He had watched her with that same awe, that same yearning for something he thought was beyond his
reach.
And now he looked at me the same way.
I nearly laughed.
Some things never changed.
I nodded politely, keeping my voice cool. “Mr. Walker.”
Chapter 12
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Then I tried to move past him.
He stepped into my path, blocking me, desperation flickering in his eyes. “If I said we could start over… that you were still my sister… would you come back?”
I stared at him, incredulous.
Was he serious? Did he really think the world revolved around him?
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said icily. “If you have time to spare, maybe you should focus on saving your family’s company.”
His face darkened instantly.
He knew I was right.
The Walkers were in trouble. Their stock prices had plummeted. Debt piled high.
In my past life, I had begged Adrian to lend them a hand, trading on the fragile bond of our
childhood. He had relented then, and the Walkers had survived.
But in this life, I would never beg again.
Ethan’s so–called careful planning couldn’t change the truth: Walker Corporation was rotten at the
core.
And this time, the Smiths would not come to their rescue.
