It was past one in the morning and the Kane Manor was fully lit; even Mr. Howard, the house manager, had been roused.

Mr. Howard brought Alexander’s coat and the boy’s slippers. Alexander slipped into the coat, let a cigarette glow in his fingers, and asked lightly, as if the night were nothing more than a small annoyance, “You’re the new tutor for Ethan, right? What’s your name?”

He frowned, trying to place her; Sophia looked back at him blankly.

“I… I can’t remember,” she said.

Laughter — cold and unbelieving — came from the boy at her side. Clearly he didn’t buy it.

Sophia spoke seriously. “I think I fell down the stairs and hit my head… and I lost my memory.”

Father and son exchanged looks that screamed ‘who do you think you’re fooling?’ Sophia swallowed and offered an apology. “Mr. Kane… I’m sorry. My head is muddled. I don’t know how I ended up trying to… seduce you. I was wrong. Please forgive me. I promise I’ll pack my things and move out of the Kane house first thing tomorrow.”

Outside a crack of thunder split the sky — thunder rolling over the East River — and everyone flinched. Rain was coming.

Alexander, legs crossed, studied her. He’d finished his cigarette and held the crushed butt between his fingers while he scrutinized the woman in the revealing dress. She bent forward slightly, exposing the elegant slope of her neck; a few loose strands clung to her pale skin, forming a stark contrast.

For reasons he didn’t fully understand, Alexander felt that same intense familiarity he’d felt earlier — that tiny gesture of twisting her hands, the defeated expression. Something about her behavior echoed someone from his past.

He finally spoke. “So I hear you want to be Mrs. Kane?”

The corner of his eye lifted as he watched her reaction. His voice, silky and dangerous, made her feel exposed, like prey beneath a predator’s gaze.

Sophia stiffened at the phrase “Mrs. Kane.” Two seconds of shock made her delay, and that hesitation annoyed him.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she lied, forcing a stiff smile. “I was being absurd. I don’t expect to be Mrs. Kane. Who am I to think that?”

Alexander didn’t believe her. “You don’t want it?” he asked, leaning in as if to test her.

“No, Mr. Kane. I don’t want it,” she said, putting on an exaggerated expression of self-awareness. And she meant it — or at least she did now. Whatever past longing she might once have had for him had been extinguished long ago, snuffed out the day she’d been accused and humiliated when she’d told him she was pregnant.

She let her gaze drop to hide the bitter smile forming in her eyes. A man like Alexander Kane — untouchably at the top — could never belong to someone like her.

The rain grew louder, drumming against the window. Kane Manor felt cavernous and empty aside from the storm.

Alexander’s voice cut through the hush, laced with scorn. “You’ve got enough theatrics to make it in show business. What happened to the groveling you used to do at my door? Where’s that obsequious charm now?”

His body leaned forward; in his dark eyes Sophia detected contempt. “Trying to act in front of me now — isn’t it a little phony?”

She opened her mouth but found no answer.

“You know better than to think you can replace the favors owed here,” he went on. “Your brother stuffed you into the Kane household after he tried to save Ethan once — I know what’s going on. But I keep things separate: he’s his own man, you’re yours. We’ll settle the debt with your brother. Tell him to get a grip on reality and stop daydreaming.”

A thunderclap sounded as if to punctuate the sentence, and Sophia’s face went white.

No matter how much time had passed, Alexander still had the ability to freeze people in their tracks. When she finally came to, she realized the two of them had already gone. Only dutiful Mr. Howard remained, escorting her back to the room.

Alone on the bed, Sophia’s head spun. In a matter of hours her life had been turned upside down: from a drifting, untethered ghost to a scheming woman crouched at Alexander Kane’s door. The phone she’d opened with a fingerprint told her the name of the body she now inhabited — Vanessa Cole — and that she’d come to tutor Ethan Kane. But whoever had owned this life had eyes on something else; her phone was full of Alexander Kane’s preferences and photos — his face was the wallpaper.

Sophia snorted. Didn’t anyone do their homework? If these people didn’t even know Alexander’s First Love, what right did they have to dream of replacing her?

She was still thinking when the phone rang. The voice on the other end was panicked and vicious, launching into a tirade before she could speak.

“You useless thing! You were only supposed to sleep with him, and you can’t even do that right. What use are you to the Cole family? You’d have been better off dying in the State Foster Home back then!”

“You—” Sophia started, but the caller cut her off.

“You little bitch! Don’t give me excuses. I don’t care what you do — you get Alexander under your skin. Otherwise, don’t ever expect to see your remaining family again.”

The line went dead. The screen went black. Her mind reeled. Too much had happened in too short a time.

She turned over in the soft bed and couldn’t shake the image of Alexander’s cold, slicing mockery. Who could understand? She’d tangled with this man before she died. She’d finally been given another life, and the first face she saw was his.

Half-asleep, Sophia Reed thought she heard the soft creak of a door opening.

A wave of unease crawled up her spine.

She blinked awake, eyes adjusting to the dim golden glow of the bedside lamp. There—standing in the middle of her room—was the teenage boy who had sneered at her the day before. His eyes were closed, his face blank, moving like some sort of automaton without a soul.

Sophia nearly screamed, but caught herself in time. Sleepwalking, she realized after a stunned second. She’d been through similar episodes before—back when her nerves were shredded by stress. People’s bodies had their own ways of purging emotion, she supposed.

Still, the sight of Ethan Kane wandering around her room in the middle of the night like a lost ghost made her heart pound.

Seriously, doesn’t anyone in the Kane Manor check on this kid? What if something happens?

Muttering under her breath, Sophia slipped out of bed and gently caught his wrist. Bit by bit, she coaxed him back to bed and tucked him in.

“Like father, like son,” she grumbled under her breath. “The older one’s a headache, the younger one’s a walking nightmare. I must’ve owed the Kanes something in my past life.”

The next morning, the storm over Manhattan hadn’t let up. Thunder still rolled distantly over the East River.

Sophia woke with a start—a cold, heavy sense of being watched prickled her skin.

When she opened her eyes, she nearly screamed again.

Ethan stood by her bed, hair tousled, face pale and grim.

“What the hell are you doing here?” she blurted.

“That’s my question!” the boy snapped back. “What are you doing in my bed? My dad told you to get out—why are you still here?”

Sophia yawned, snuggling back into her pillow.

“Sweetheart, open your eyes and look around. This is my room, my bed. And maybe—just maybe—you should be thanking the person who saved your life last night.”

She was still wearing last night’s sequin dress, now paired awkwardly with lounge pants she’d grabbed for warmth. The effect was… chaotic, to say the least.

“If it weren’t for me,” she added lazily, “you’d still be wandering the hallways half-dead in your sleep.”

Ethan’s face darkened. He looked like he wanted to bite someone. “You’re disgusting! Can’t seduce my dad, so now you’re trying me?”

Sophia found him adorable in his fury. “Your dad’s too old and cranky—an old man’s flavor just doesn’t appeal to me. But you? You’re fresh and tender. Way more tempting.”

“Gross!”

The boy bolted from the room, slamming the door behind him. Sophia collapsed into laughter—until she looked up and froze.

Alexander Kane was leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. Dark silk pajamas, tousled hair, eyes sharp as glass.

“Good morning, Mr. Kane,” she said weakly.

A long pause.

“Get dressed,” he said evenly. “Come to my study.”

Sophia’s legs were trembling as she approached the study. She was doomed, obviously. Last night she’d crawled into his son’s bed, and this morning she’d teased the boy within earshot. What else could he want except to fire her—or worse?

She stopped at a safe distance from the desk. The room was dim; the curtains were drawn. Alexander sat behind his desk, now wearing a loose cotton shirt instead of silk, collar slightly open to reveal the hard lines of his chest. A pair of rimless glasses framed his cool gaze.

He gestured for her to come closer.

“Mr. Kane,” she said carefully, forcing a smile. “I was just packing my things—”

“In such a hurry to leave? I thought you liked Ethan.”

He’d heard. Oh, he’d definitely heard.

“It was just a joke, Mr. Kane. The kid’s adorable, I was teasing him.”

“Oh? And the old man’s flavor?” His tone was mild, but every syllable was a blade.

Her face drained of color. “I—I shouldn’t have said that. My apologies, sir.”

“Come here.”

His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried absolute authority.

Sophia hesitated, then slowly stepped forward.

Alexander’s long fingers tapped the desk, eyes glinting behind the lenses.

“Old man’s flavor?” he repeated, voice slow, dangerously amused.

“I was wrong,” she murmured immediately.

“Am I that old?”

His voice brushed against her ear—low, close, unsettling.

Sophia’s breath caught. Up close, his collarbone and chest were right there, tanned skin against white cotton. Old man, her ass.

“N-no, you’re not—”

Alexander chuckled softly, releasing her wrist.

“I don’t think you need to pack just yet,” he said. Then, calmly:

“Until Ethan’s sleepwalking is cured, you’re not leaving Kane Manor.”

Her heart jumped.

“The future heir of Kane Corporation,” he added coolly, “can’t afford to have a single stain on his reputation.”

Sophia understood immediately: he wanted to keep her silent. This wasn’t a request—it was an order.

As she turned to leave, his voice stopped her one last time.

“If you’re going to act like you’re fond of Ethan,” he murmured, “then act the part. Don’t half-ass it. Understood?”

“Yes, Mr. Kane.”

Sophia was exhausted. The past twenty-four hours had been a circus.

She flopped onto the massive bed, groaning. So much for leaving—now she was stuck here, forced to “play nice” with the Kanes.

A knock came at the door. She sat up fast.

“Come in,” she said, clearing her throat.

Mr. Howard, the butler, entered with a neatly folded stack of clothes.

“Miss Cole, these are from Mr. Kane,” he said.

Sophia nodded.

Then came the dagger:

“Mr. Kane also asked me to remind you—teachers should look the part. Please avoid… unprofessional attire that might affect the young master’s aesthetic sense.”

Mr. Howard gave a polite bow and left.

Sophia’s face flamed red. She looked down at the conservative, high-necked blouses he’d sent. Insufferable man. Insulting her without a single curse word.

By the time she came downstairs, wrapped tightly in one of the dull blouses, only Ethan was in the dining room. He didn’t look up, didn’t greet her, didn’t acknowledge her existence.

“Where’s your father?” she asked before she could stop herself.

And immediately regretted it.

Sure enough, Ethan’s glare snapped toward her. “Still scheming? Forget it—Dad’s not interested in you, you pathetic woman!”

Sophia didn’t bother getting angry. She smiled slyly.

“Oh honey, don’t say that. I already told you—I like you, remember? So young and fresh.”

She threw him a deliberately exaggerated wink.

Ethan recoiled, disgusted. “You’re insane!”

He stormed off, muttering under his breath. Sophia smirked. “Rookie,” she said softly, settling into her chair. “Don’t challenge the pro.”

Finally alone, she was about to enjoy breakfast when heavy footsteps sounded behind her.

Ethan again—this time carrying textbooks, face set in grim determination.

“Eat fast,” he said. “You’re tutoring me after this.”

Sophia sighed, instantly losing her appetite. Right. Private tutor. Great.

Back in the study, she flipped through his prep materials and exhaled in relief. The content wasn’t too difficult—middle school history, mostly. Whoever his previous tutor was had made decent notes, though clearly lacked direction.

She might not have been a teacher in years, but she was still a top student once. Picking this up was child’s play.

Ethan sat stiffly, radiating annoyance. Sophia laid three practice exams on the table.

“What’s this supposed to be?” he snapped.

“Tests,” she said sweetly.

His expression twisted. “You’re taking revenge, aren’t you?”

“Can’t handle it?”

Her voice was light, teasing. He looked ready to explode.

Sophia reached out and pinched his cheek lightly. “Still so soft,” she murmured.

“Don’t touch me!” He slapped her hand away, face burning.

“What, never had a girl pinch your face before?” she teased. “Or maybe no girl’s dared come close?”

Ethan went silent, fists clenched. His expression—cold, brittle, painfully proud—was a perfect echo of his father’s.

“Too much,” he muttered.

Sophia laughed. “Then stop acting like such easy prey.”

She checked the clock and her tone shifted.

“Alright, focus. Finish before dinner.” She handed him a pen.

When he hesitated, she added lazily, “If you don’t, I might have to ask your dad for extra lessons. Who knows, maybe we’ll ‘bond’ over your progress.”

That did it. Ethan grabbed the pen like it was a weapon.

Over my dead body.

Sophia smiled in satisfaction and tapped his back lightly with a ruler. “Sit straight. You’ll ruin your eyesight.”

He glared at her but obeyed.

She yawned, half-watching as he scribbled furiously. The servants brought fruit and milk throughout the afternoon, all of which she happily devoured.

Sometimes, when she thought no one was watching, her fingers twisted together unconsciously—an old nervous tic.

From the security feed in his office, Alexander Kane saw it all. His gaze softened almost imperceptibly.

She reminded him of someone. Someone he shouldn’t still be seeing in every shadow.

With a quiet sigh, he pressed a button on his desk.

His assistant entered.

“Dig up everything on her,” Alexander said flatly. “More thorough than last time.”

“Yes, Mr. Kane.”