Chapter 115

The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow over the bedroom. Sophia stretched lazily, her fingers brushing against the empty space beside her.

Ethan had already left.

Again.

She sighed, pushing back the covers. The scent of his cologne lingered on the pillow, a cruel reminder of his absence.

Downstairs, Liam was already at the table, shoveling cereal into his mouth with the enthusiasm of a starving puppy.

"Morning, Mom," he mumbled through a mouthful.

"Morning, sweetheart." She ruffled his hair before pouring herself a cup of coffee.

The silence stretched between them, thick and uncomfortable.

Liam glanced up. "Dad left early again?"

Sophia forced a smile. "Work stuff."

Liam frowned but didn’t press further.

Her phone buzzed—a message from Daniel.

"Meet me at the café. We need to talk."

Her stomach twisted.

She hadn’t told Ethan about Daniel. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

But the guilt was eating her alive.

Liam’s voice snapped her back to reality. "Mom? You okay?"

She blinked. "Yeah. Just… thinking."

He gave her a skeptical look but went back to his cereal.

Sophia exhaled sharply.

She needed to make a decision.

And soon.

The café was nearly empty when she arrived.

Daniel sat in the corner, his dark eyes scanning the room until they landed on her.

Her pulse quickened.

"Sophia." He stood as she approached, his voice low and rough.

She slid into the seat across from him. "What’s going on?"

Daniel hesitated, then leaned forward. "I got a lead on who’s been threatening you."

Her breath hitched. "Who?"

His jaw tightened. "Someone close to Ethan."

Sophia’s blood ran cold.

Before she could respond, her phone rang.

Ethan’s name flashed on the screen.

Her fingers trembled as she answered.

"Sophia." His voice was ice. "We need to talk. Now."

The line went dead.

Daniel’s gaze darkened. "Trouble?"

She swallowed hard.

The storm was coming.

And she was right in the middle of it.

The words echo in my mind, refusing to fade.

A baby girl.

Sophia has a baby girl. A tiny daughter. Liam is going to lose his mind with joy. He’s been begging for a sister, and now, his wish has come true.

"Can I see her?"

"I understand your eagerness, Mr. Blackwood, but we need to complete her initial assessments first," the doctor says.

For a second, his words don’t register. Then it hits me—he thinks I’m the father. The realization stuns me, but I don’t correct him.

"She’s premature at twenty-six weeks, and given the trauma from the gunshot and fall, she’ll need to stay in the NICU. We’ll monitor her closely before she can be with family."

My stomach twists. He hasn’t mentioned Sophia. Does that mean they don’t expect her to make it?

My pulse spikes. She has to survive. The alternative is unthinkable.

"You should prepare yourself. We’ll do everything possible, but there are risks—cerebral palsy, developmental delays, vision or hearing impairments."

"But that’s just a possibility, right? Not a certainty?" My chest aches for this fragile little life.

She’s already endured more than most ever will.

"Correct. It’s a precaution—we inform parents of all potential outcomes."

I nod, swallowing hard.

"What about Sophia?" I demand before he can leave.

His expression tightens. "Her condition is critical. We’re still assessing."

The words slice through me like glass.

A nurse appears moments later. "She’s in surgery now. They took her through a different entrance—her injuries were… severe."

My knees nearly buckle.

I collapse into a chair, praying to a god I’ve long ignored. Bargaining. Threatening. Begging.

"Ethan, you should eat," Victoria murmurs.

I shake my head. Food? Impossible.

Sebastian sits beside me, our father on my other side. I’ve never felt so powerless.

Hours crawl by. Then the door bursts open—Liam sprints toward me, colliding with my chest. His familiar scent barely soothes the storm inside.

Behind him, Lucas enters with Hunter. I nod my thanks.

Isabella freezes at the sight of them, but Eleanor’s eyes flood with tears when she spots Liam.

"Dad, where’s Mom? Lucas wouldn’t tell me anything," Liam demands, fear etched on his face.

Damn, this is brutal.

"Is she having the baby? Is that why we’re here?"

I exhale shakily. "Your mom was hurt badly, buddy. The doctors are helping her."

His eyes well up. It guts me.

"The baby?" His voice cracks.

I force a smile. "You have a sister. Just like you wanted."

Wonder flashes across his face—then devastation as silent tears fall.

"Will she die like Grandpa did?" His whisper destroys me.

I yank him into my arms. "No. Your mom’s a fighter."

He clings to me, trembling.

We wait. I pace. Sit. Repeat. Liam never leaves my side.

When Eleanor and Alexander arrive, chaos follows.

"Where is she?" Eleanor’s eyes are raw.

Before I can answer, the surgeon returns. His grim expression says it all.

"Victoria, take the boys for snacks," I order.

Liam hesitates, but I reassure him with a lie.

The doctor exhales. "Mr. Blackwood—"

"Just say it," I snarl.

"She’s alive. But she’s in a coma."

The room tilts.

Alive—but gone.