Tyler Smith shot to his feet, pacing the hotel room like a restless lion.
His robe clung loosely to his body, barely covering his bare chest.
He could hardly breathe, let alone believe what he had just learned.
Shock rattled every bone in him.
The woman he loved—Sophia—had once belonged to Richard Smith.
Richard.
The man who had always stood above him in everything.
Richard had seen everything Tyler had always longed for before he did: A full family, wealth beyond measure, and now, even Sophia's nakedness.
Tyler's eyes burned with rage as he turned sharply toward her.
His voice came out harsh, trembling.
"Tell me the truth. Was sex involved in that relationship?"
Sophia froze.
Her gaze faltered, shifting away awkwardly. She didn't need to answer.
In that silence, Tyler already knew.
But why had he asked such a thing in the first place? In this century, how many relationships were untouched by sex?
Fear flickered in his eyes, softer now but no less desperate.
His voice cracked.
"He was the first man you ever slept with… wasn't he?"
Sophia's head snapped toward him, startled. "I was only nineteen when we started dating," she said quietly.
Tyler's jaw tightened. He ground his teeth until his whole body trembled.
With a violent motion, he grabbed the dressing table and hurled it to the floor.
Glass shattered everywhere, the sound exploding in the room.
"Tyler!" Sophia cried, panicked. She rushed forward, clutching his arm. "You have to calm down!"
The hotel phone suddenly rang, shrill and piercing.
They both froze, staring at it.
The noise must have reached the management.
Tears streaked down Tyler's cheeks as he turned back to her.
His voice was broken, almost childlike.
"Calm down? You want me to calm down? Richard had everything! Everything I ever wanted! A family, security… I starved some nights while he never lacked anything. He was everything I wished I was. And now…" His voice broke. "Now I find out you gave your first time to him!"
Sophia cupped his face gently, forcing him to look into her eyes.
Her voice shook but held steady warmth.
"If you only knew how much I love you, Tyler… you wouldn't speak this way. Richard never gave me what you give me. You were the answer to prayers I never spoke out loud. You made me feel valuable. You saw me. I don't love Richard. I love you, Tyler. Nothing in the past can change that."
His whole body trembled as he collapsed into her arms, clutching her like he was afraid she might vanish.
"I don't want to lose you, Sophia. If I lose you… I won't survive it. I swear I won't."
****
"I find it so hard to believe!" Katie snapped, her voice sharp with anger. "How on earth could this be?"
"Mum, you'll be late for work," Tyler muttered, ignoring her tone as he walked into the kitchen and scooped rice onto a plate.
Katie shot him a glare. "They still have a past, Tyler! Don't fool yourself—they still do!" She fastened her last earring and stood, her movements tense.
Tyler spun around, his voice rising. "They don't! Sophia kisses me like I matter. No woman makes love to me with the passion she does. None!"
Katie rolled her eyes. "Just making love? That's the only place her emotions show?"
"For crying out loud, her mother has been our family doctor for years! They've always been good to us, Katie!"
"Don't you call me Katie, you ungrateful boy!" she snapped, her eyes blazing. "And don't pretend you know those people. We knew Paula, yes, but not her daughters. Did you know Tesa had two messy divorces in just three years? Did you know Sophia was dating someone back in Harvard?"
Tyler's face tightened. "I was in Columbia then! How on earth was I supposed to know?"
"Then stop jumping into conclusions about whether Sophia loves you or not," Katie shot back. "If she does, then bring them together. That's the only way to find out."
Tyler frowned. "Bring them together?"
"Definitely." She crossed her arms, her tone bitter but firm. "They say when two people meet, that's when the truth shows. I begged you to study chemical engineering, so you'd have full access to the organization, but you refused! Now look at you. Sophia is rich—she'll naturally be drawn to richer men. The only way she'll see you on her level is if you take that organization from Richard Smith. Otherwise, you'll end up with nothing. Just like me."
Her voice cracked as she jabbed a finger at her chest. "Look at me, Tyler. I met Jay before Beatrice, but because she came from a wealthy family, their father, Edward, despised me and reminded me to stay in my place. And guess what? Jay chose Beatrice in the end. Not because she was better—but because she had money. Money changes everything."
***
Richard Smith knew exactly where to find his cousin Melvin—smoking lazily by the pool at the back of the house.
"You didn't show up for the family reunion with Tyler," Richard said casually.
Melvin spat the cigarette butt into the water and scowled. "You just ruined my mood."
Richard rolled his eyes. "Are you even aware he'll be back in two days?"
"I don't bloody care!" Melvin snapped. "Stop spoiling my mood!"
Richard sighed and tried again. "I get it… you don't like him. But you were born on the same day. Same blood runs through you both—"
"Get outta here, man!" Melvin barked, waving him off.
"Fine, fine." Richard smirked. "Let's switch topics. Guess who I ran into today?"
Melvin frowned. "Who the heck did you meet?"
"Sophia Williams."
Melvin froze.
His mouth opened slightly, then he burst out laughing. "Are you kidding me? I'm sure she's married by now. She used to pick on me all the time back then." He shook his head, chuckling.
"That's not the best part," Richard said carefully. "Sophia Williams is now Tyler's girlfriend. Officially."
Melvin stopped laughing. His smile died instantly.
For almost forty seconds, he just stood there, silent, staring.
Finally, his voice came out low.
"What… did you just say?"
"They've been together for over two years," Richard replied evenly.
Melvin's hands clenched into fists. His whole body stiffened. "I never liked that boy. But now? This hatred is going to be worse than I thought."
"You don't need to hate him," Richard said firmly.
"Honestly, I was relieved when I found out. Despite her stubborn ways, Sophia found someone who accepts her as she is."
Melvin's eyes blazed. "Tyler doesn't deserve Sophia Williams! He doesn't deserve anything good!"
Richard's jaw tightened. "Stop putting the sins of our parents on us. None of that is Tyler's fault."
"I've looked in his eyes," Melvin said coldly. "They're full of ambition."
"You're seeing it wrong," Richard countered. "The only things that matter to him are Sophia… and the hospital where he works."
Melvin leaned closer, his voice sharper now. "But have you ever thought about it? What if something happens between you and Sophia?"
Richard flinched, his voice firm. "That will never happen! You know how much I love my fiancée. And I'd never do anything to hurt my brother, Tyler."
Melvin narrowed his eyes, searching Richard's face.
Then his voice dropped to a whisper.
"What about you, Richard? What did you really feel when you saw Sophia Williams after five long years? No—forget that. What did you feel in the depth of your heart the moment Tyler introduced her as his girlfriend… knowing she was the first woman you ever loved?"