Chapter 119

I gaze at my son, overwhelmed with pride. The bond he shares with his mother is something extraordinary. Not even her closest friends or parents knew the name she had chosen, yet she confided in Liam.

"That's wonderful," Elizabeth says, smiling warmly at him. "You're going to be an amazing big brother."

Liam nods, then lifts his eyes to meet mine.

"One day, we were sitting on her bed eating ice cream—she craved it so much. I asked what name we'd give the baby. We spent hours going through lists until we settled on those two. We laughed so much."

Tears well in his eyes again, and I pull him close. It aches to see him in pain. I wish I could take it away, but I can't.

"When will she wake up? I miss her," he sobs.

I stay silent. I don’t have an answer. Not even the doctors know if—or when—Sophia will open her eyes.

Elizabeth kneels to his level, gently coaxing him. Liam clings to me but turns his head toward her.

"How about this? I’ll let you visit your sister first. You’ll be the very first to see her," she offers.

"Really?" He wipes his tears.

"Really." She smiles. "Just give me a few minutes, then I’ll come get you. Okay?"

A small smile tugs at his lips. The sadness lingers, but hope pushes through.

When Elizabeth stands, I give her a grateful nod. It may seem small, but she’s given Liam something to hold onto while waiting for his mother.

She nods at the others before leaving. Taking Liam’s hand, I guide him to the chairs. I’m exhausted—mentally, physically, emotionally. Sleep won’t come until I see both mother and child.

To my surprise, Lucas, Hunter, and Victoria enter. Hunter grips Victoria’s hand tightly as they chat, Lucas trailing behind. I can’t tell if they’ve told Hunter the truth yet.

Hunter’s eyes land on Isabella. They widen in shock. Before I can process why, he yanks free and bolts toward her.

Isabella stiffens, pushing him away with a disapproving glare. Hunter’s face crumples, tears spilling.

He turns and buries himself in Lucas’ arms. Lucas glares at Isabella, as do Victoria, Nathan, and everyone else who witnessed it.

Isabella shrinks back but stays silent.

I glance at Liam. His head rests on my shoulder, eyes closed, but I know he’s awake.

"What is he doing here?" Victoria’s bitter voice snaps my attention up. She points at Damian, hatred burning in her gaze.

"He’s here for Sophia," I say wearily.

Her face twists. "I didn’t realize my daughter associated with criminals."

"Of course you didn’t," Eleanor scoffs. "You know nothing about her."

The two women lock eyes. Victoria may be the Sharp matriarch, but she’s no match for Eleanor Prescott.

"If you don’t like his presence, leave. Frankly, I don’t understand why you’re here at all, considering how you treated Sophia for years."

That silences Victoria—but stirs something I’m not ready to face.

Liam’s eyes fly open. He scans the room before fixing on me.

"What’s Grandpa Alexander talking about?" His quiet question draws everyone’s attention.

Guilt flashes across their faces. They’d forgotten he was here.

"Nothing, buddy. Just grown-ups arguing. Don’t worry about it."

He narrows his eyes. "I know what 'shit' means. Grandpa said Mom wasn’t treated well. Is that true?"

Damn. I dreaded this day. Everyone except Lucas and Hunter tenses. How do I explain without making him hate us?

"Liam, ready to meet your sister?" Elizabeth reappears, smiling.

Relief floods me. Liam’s face lights up, the tension forgotten.

"Mr. Blackwood, you’ll need to come too," she says as Liam takes her hand.

I follow them into a sanitization room, where we’re given gowns, gloves, and masks. Then, we enter the NICU.

We pass several incubators before stopping at one.

Elizabeth beams. "Liam, meet Lily."

One look, and she has me. She’s not my blood, but she owns my heart.

Lily is tiny but perfect. Her eyes are closed, but her nose, lips, and the wisp of hair peeking from her pink hat—all Sophia.

My chest tightens at the tubes connected to her. She shouldn’t be here. She should still be safe inside her mother.

But she’s alive. That’s what matters.

"Can I hold her?" Liam whispers.

Elizabeth was right—he’s already an incredible big brother. The love on his face is unmistakable.

"Not yet, sweetheart. But you can touch her if you’re gentle."

He nods. She guides his hand into the incubator. His fingers brush Lily’s cheek, and she leans into it, though she doesn’t wake.

We stay until a nurse gently tells us it’s time to go.

Back in the waiting room, I ask Nathan, "Where’s Alexander?"

Eleanor sits alone, heartbroken.

"With Sophia. Only one visitor at a time—Eleanor went first."

Elizabeth returns, asking who else wants to see Lily. Damian steps forward. No one objects as she leads him away.

"How is she?" he asks when he returns.

"Beautiful," Liam murmurs, still dazed. "She looks like Mom."

"He’s right," I agree. "She’s her mother’s double."

Silence falls. Damian checks his phone, then sighs.

"I have to go, but I’ll stay in touch. For Sophia and Lily, I’ll put our differences aside and find who did this."

"Fine." I shake his hand.

"Aren’t you staying to see her?" Alexander asks, emerging from Sophia’s room.

"Not today. Out of time."

With that, Damian leaves. Moments later, Daniel enters—escorted by police.

Did Damian rush off to avoid him? Or the cops?

Rage simmers in my veins. I’ll never forgive him for deceiving Sophia.

I stand, ready to confront him, but Alexander grips my shoulder.

"We pulled strings to get him here," he says. "As a father, you understand he has every right to be here. Maybe more—he almost lost his daughter."

I freeze as Eleanor stands and embraces Daniel. He holds her, fighting tears.

"Don’t start a fight. It’s not worth it. Go see Sophia instead."

I grit my teeth but nod. No matter his sins, he deserves to see Lily.

As the nurse calls for the next visitor, I ask if Liam and I can go together. She agrees.

After sanitizing again, we enter Sophia’s room. My legs give out, and I collapse into a chair.

Bandages wrap her head. A collar braces her neck. Scratches mar her face—likely from shattered glass. Tubes and machines surround her.

I take one hand; Liam takes the other.

"Mommy," he whispers.

No response.

She looks peaceful, as if sleeping. But we know better.

Words fail me. A choked sob escapes instead.

Come back to me. I need you.

I kiss her palm, then stroke her cheek, praying she’ll wake soon.