Chapter 120

The morning sun painted golden streaks across the bedroom as Sophia stirred awake.

Her phone buzzed insistently on the nightstand.

She reached for it, blinking against the brightness of the screen.

A message from Daniel.

"We need to talk. It's urgent."

Her stomach twisted.

She hadn’t heard from him in days—not since their last argument.

Throwing back the covers, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed.

The hardwood floor was cool beneath her bare feet.

She hesitated before typing a reply.

"About what?"

The response came instantly.

"Not over text. Meet me at the café in an hour."

Sophia exhaled sharply.

She didn’t like the tone of his messages.

Something was wrong.

Dressing quickly, she opted for a simple blouse and jeans.

No time for makeup.

Downstairs, Liam was already at the table, shoveling cereal into his mouth.

"Morning, Mom," he mumbled between bites.

"Morning, sweetheart." She ruffled his hair.

"Where are you going?" He eyed her suspiciously.

"Just meeting someone. Be good for Gabriella, okay?"

He rolled his eyes but nodded.

Sophia grabbed her keys and headed out.

The drive to the café was tense.

Her fingers drummed against the steering wheel.

What could Daniel possibly want to discuss so urgently?

Had he changed his mind about them?

Or was it something worse?

The café was nearly empty when she arrived.

Daniel sat at a corner table, his expression unreadable.

She slid into the seat across from him.

"You look terrible," she said bluntly.

He didn’t smile.

"I have to leave town."

Sophia froze.

"What?"

"It’s not safe for me here anymore." His voice was low, urgent.

Her pulse spiked.

"Why? What happened?"

Daniel glanced around before leaning in.

"I found something. About Ethan."

Sophia’s breath hitched.

"What do you mean?"

He hesitated.

Then, quietly, he said, "He’s not who you think he is."

The words sent a chill down her spine.

Before she could respond, a shadow fell over their table.

Sophia looked up—

And her blood ran cold.

Standing there, with a smirk that made her stomach drop, was Sebastian.

Ethan’s twin.

"Hello, Sophia," he purred. "Fancy seeing you here."

Daniel’s chair scraped back as he stood abruptly.

Sebastian’s gaze flicked to him.

"Ah. The cop." His smile widened. "How… unfortunate."

Sophia’s heart pounded.

This wasn’t a coincidence.

And whatever was coming—

She wasn’t ready for it.

Three months. Three agonizing months since Sophia was shot, and she still hasn’t opened her eyes. With each passing day, the hope that she’ll wake up dims a little more.

It’s maddening. Helplessness claws at me because there’s nothing I can do. No one can.

A month after the accident, they took her off the machines. Her lungs were functioning fine on their own. They moved her to a regular room, and we all held our breath, waiting. But nothing changed. Two months later, we’re still waiting.

"Should I wait for you, Mr. Blackwood?" my driver asks as I step out of the car.

"No need. I’ll call when I’m ready."

The hospital staff greets me with familiar nods. I’ve become a permanent fixture here.

I don’t bother with small talk. Exhaustion weighs me down like a lead blanket. Sleep? A distant memory. Nights are spent staring at the ceiling or drowning in paperwork.

Liam moved back in with me. Every day after school, he visits his mother and baby sister. The strain on him is visible, but I know it won’t ease until Sophia and Lily are home.

I stop by Lily’s room first. That tiny warrior has carved a place in my heart. Her resilience? A mirror of Sophia’s.

"Ethan, you’re here! Let me get our little angel ready," Elizabeth says, bustling around.

Lily was discharged from the NICU a week ago. The doctors declared her healthy, strong enough to thrive without the incubator.

Minutes later, Elizabeth places her in my arms.

"Hey, princess. How’s my girl today?" I murmur, cradling her close.

She doesn’t cry. Just stares up at me with those big blue eyes—Daniel’s eyes. She’s Sophia’s carbon copy otherwise. A future heartbreaker.

I trace her cheek, and her tiny fingers wrap around mine. My chest tightens. She’s become my light in this darkness. Biology doesn’t matter. She’s mine.

"It’s bath time," Elizabeth reminds me gently.

I glance at the clock. Forty minutes vanished. Lily has that effect—making the world fade away.

Reluctantly, I hand her back. This part never gets easier.

"I’ll say goodbye before I leave," I tell Elizabeth, standing.

She nods, carrying Lily away. Each step feels like a punch to the gut.

The pediatrician stops me before I can leave.

"Ethan, do you have a moment?" Her voice is calm, soothing. She reminds me of my mother.

"Of course. What is it?"

"It’s about Lily. She’s nine months now, perfectly healthy. Hospital policy requires her discharge."

I freeze. "You can’t be serious. Sophia isn’t awake yet."

"I’m sorry, but rules are rules. She leaves tomorrow, with or without Sophia."

I drag a hand through my hair. "Just a few more days—"

"No extensions. Tomorrow’s the deadline."

I nod stiffly. "I’ll talk to her grandparents."

I stride toward Sophia’s room, but the door opens before I can enter. Eleanor and Alexander step out.

"Perfect timing," the doctor says, approaching us.

Alexander frowns. "Is something wrong?"

"Yes. We need to discuss Sophia’s condition. Most coma patients wake within a month. Her lack of progress... concerns us."

Dread coils in my stomach. I don’t like where this is going.

"But you said she could recover," Eleanor protests.

"Could. Not will. Her brain activity is minimal." He hesitates. "We recommend withdrawing treatment."

A growl tears from my throat. "You’re telling us to kill her."

"I’m sorry, but yes. The odds of her waking now... it would take a miracle."

I turn away, disgusted. "Then we’ll wait for that miracle. Because we’re not giving up on her."

I don’t wait for their responses. I storm into Sophia’s room and collapse into the chair beside her bed, gripping her hand.

"Please, Sophia. Come back. Liam needs you. I need you. Lily needs her mother. They’re discharging her tomorrow. Wake up. Please."

Silence. No movement. No flicker of awareness.

"They want us to let you go. Don’t make me do that. Open your eyes, damn it."

I bury my face in her sheets. For the first time since the shooting, I break. Tears fall unchecked. The dam holding back my grief shatters.

I’m supposed to be strong. For Liam. For Lily. For her. But right now, I’m shattered.

I sob silently, begging God, begging Sophia. Then—

A touch. Feather-light fingers tracing my cheek.

I freeze.

"Ethan."

Her voice is rough, barely audible.

I lift my head slowly, terrified it’s a dream.

But it’s not.

Her confused eyes meet mine.

Holy hell.

Sophia is awake.