Velvet Nights and Broken Vows 8 Summary
Sophia coldly dismisses a centuries-old promise, shocking Ethan, who warns her that if she regrets her decision, he won’t return—even if she begs. He then drives away, leaving Sophia with a mix of relief and bitterness. Seeking comfort, she spends the night with her best friend, finding solace in music and conversation.
Two weeks later, while shopping, Sophia unexpectedly reunites with Leo Anderson, her childhood friend who has quietly returned home without telling anyone, including his parents. Their warm and nostalgic interaction rekindles old feelings as they shop together and share a moment over Sophia’s favorite black coffee, stirring emotions she hadn’t felt in a long time.
Their reunion is abruptly interrupted when Ethan appears, forcefully grabbing Sophia and pulling her toward his car. Panic-stricken, she calls out to Leo, who immediately intervenes. Ethan accuses Sophia of cheating on him with Leo, despite their recent breakup, and insists he has come to formally propose to her. He intensifies his hold and reveals an empty heart-shaped box, his expression wild and desperate, heightening the tension between the three.
I clicked my tongue with impatience, my face hardening into a cold, dismissive expression.
“That’s just a foolish promise made centuries ago. Only a fool would take it seriously,” I said, my voice sharp and final.
Ethan stood frozen, stunned for a good ten seconds, clearly caught off guard by my words. When he finally found his voice, it was low and tense.
“Sophia, remember what you said today. When you regret this, don’t expect me to come back—not even if you’re on your knees begging.”
With those cold words, he started his car and drove away, leaving me standing there with a strange mix of relief and lingering bitterness.
Once that unwelcome shadow was gone, I felt a wave of exhilaration wash over me. I immediately headed back to my best friend’s place, where we spent the entire night lost in music and conversation. It was a balm for my bruised heart.
—
Two weeks later, one quiet evening.
I was wandering the aisles of a large supermarket near my home, the fluorescent lights buzzing softly overhead, when I spotted someone I hadn’t expected to see.
“Leo Anderson?” I called out hesitantly.
The tall, handsome man turned toward me and, with a familiar, affectionate gesture, reached out his left hand and ruffled my hair—just like he always used to.
“Sophia, it’s been ages,” he said warmly.
Even though years had passed since we last met, Leo’s gaze held the same warmth and depth I remembered so well.
We’d known each other since childhood. As the boy next door, he had always treated me like a little sister—patiently enduring my antics and cleaning up after all my messes.
Unable to resist, I gave his shoulder a playful punch, my eyes misting slightly as I asked, “I thought you’d settled abroad. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming back? I could have picked you up.”
Leo smiled softly, a hint of mystery in his eyes.
“My parents don’t even know I’m back yet,” he confessed.
“Wait, what? Then why are you here?”
I was puzzled, recalling what his sister had told me—that he’d decided to stay with their parents and not return.
He paused for a moment, then looked me squarely in the eyes and added quietly, “So, I came back too.”
After saying that, Leo seemed perfectly content to let the silence hang between us. Without hesitation, he took the shopping cart from my hands and quietly finished the rest of the shopping alongside me.
Later, as we strolled slowly back to the neighborhood under the soft glow of the evening sky, he carried the bags with an easy grace.
Just as I was about to head upstairs to my apartment, Leo stopped me.
“Wait here a moment,” he said gently.
Within two minutes, he returned, holding a small cup.
“Sophia, your favorite black coffee,” he said, offering it with a smile.
For a moment, I was speechless—seeing that familiar treat from my childhood stirred a warmth inside me I hadn’t felt in ages. My lips curved into a smile as I reached out to take it.
But before I could, a sudden, firm grip seized my wrist and yanked me into a familiar, forceful embrace.
“Ethan? What are you doing here?” I gasped, completely taken aback by his sudden appearance.
Ethan didn’t answer my question. Instead, he kept pulling me toward his car, his grip tightening as if determined to control me.
Panic surged through me, and I struggled desperately, instinctively shouting, “Leo!”
Leo reacted immediately, dropping the bags he carried and lunging forward to grab my other arm.
Seeing this, Ethan’s eyes darkened with a look I had never seen before. His voice was low and venomous as he spoke through clenched teeth.
“Well, well, ‘Leo.’ Sophia, we haven’t even been broken up for a month, and you’re already cheating on me?”
I stared at him, stunned and incredulous.
“Have you lost your mind, Ethan? What are you talking about—‘cheating on you’? Do I even have anything to do with you anymore?”
My attempts to break free only seemed to darken Ethan’s expression further.
“Sophia, I came here today to formally propose to you,” he said, his voice cold and insistent. “So stop throwing your little tantrums. If you keep up this endless cold war, you’ll be the only one who gets hurt in the end.”
As he spoke, Ethan’s grip tightened, and he reached into his pants pocket. Slowly, he pulled out a heart-shaped box, his eyes wild with emotion as he deliberately opened it in front of me.
But the box was empty.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
