Chapter 123

The morning sun streamed through the curtains, casting golden streaks across the bedroom floor. Sophia stretched lazily, her fingers brushing against the empty space beside her.

Liam’s laughter echoed from downstairs, mingling with the clatter of breakfast dishes. She smiled, pushing herself out of bed.

Ethan Blackwood stood by the stove, flipping pancakes with practiced ease. His dark hair was slightly tousled, his shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

“Morning,” he murmured, glancing over his shoulder.

Sophia leaned against the doorway, arms crossed. “You’re spoiling him.”

Ethan smirked. “Someone has to.”

Liam bounded into the kitchen, his cheeks flushed with excitement. “Mom! Dad’s making chocolate chip pancakes!”

She ruffled his hair. “I see that.”

The domestic scene was almost surreal. A year ago, she would’ve never imagined standing here, watching Ethan—her ex-husband—play the role of doting father so effortlessly.

Her phone buzzed on the counter. A message from Daniel Carter.

"We need to talk."

Sophia’s stomach twisted. She hadn’t seen Daniel since the trial, since everything had fallen apart.

Ethan’s gaze flickered to her phone, then away. His jaw tightened imperceptibly.

Liam, oblivious, chattered between bites. “Can we go to the park later? Caleb said there’s a new—”

“Sure,” Sophia said absently, her fingers hovering over the screen.

Ethan set a plate in front of her. “Eat.”

She met his eyes—stormy, unreadable.

The doorbell rang.

Liam bolted from his seat. “I’ll get it!”

Sophia exhaled slowly. Whatever peace they’d built, it was fragile. And Daniel’s message threatened to shatter it completely.

Footsteps pounded back into the kitchen.

“Mom!” Liam’s voice was high with panic. “There’s a man—he says he’s here for you.”

Sophia’s blood ran cold.

Ethan was already moving, his body blocking the doorway. “Stay here.”

But she followed anyway.

The man at the door was tall, his expression grim. A badge glinted at his hip.

“Sophia Blackwood?” he said. “I’m Detective Harrison. We need you to come with us.”

Her pulse roared in her ears. “Why?”

The detective’s gaze flicked to Ethan, then back to her. “It’s about Daniel Carter.”

Ethan’s hand found hers, squeezing once. Tight. Reassuring.

But nothing could prepare her for the detective’s next words.

“He’s missing.”

One step. That's all it would take. A single movement forward, and the endless torment would finally cease. No more pain. No more suffocating darkness. Just...peace.

The wind howled around me, tugging at my clothes like invisible hands urging me closer to the edge. In the distance, a car door slammed. I didn't turn. Not even when familiar footsteps crunched against the gravel behind me.

"Sophia! What the hell are you doing?" Ethan's voice was raw with panic.

I remained motionless. The cliff's edge called to me, promising sweet oblivion. My body swayed slightly with the wind's rhythm.

"Please," Ethan's voice cracked. "Step back. Come to me."

I felt him moving closer, his warmth radiating through the chill. Still, I didn't retreat.

Exhaustion weighed me down like lead. I was so tired—of the tears, the heartache, the never-ending battle against my own mind. The pain had hollowed me out, leaving behind someone I barely recognized.

"I can't do this anymore," my voice broke. "I just want it to stop. Just once, I want to know what peace feels like."

Ethan's arms locked around me, yanking me backward with desperate strength. I hadn't realized how close he'd gotten.

"Let me go!" I thrashed against him, nails digging into his arms. "I need this to end!"

"Wake up!" He shook me hard, his stormy eyes blazing. "Think about Liam! Are you really going to abandon him? Leave him to grow up without his mother?" His grip tightened. "And your baby—our baby—are you really going to rob them of life before they even take their first breath?"

At Liam's name, I went still.

"Ethan—"

"No." His jaw clenched. "I'm booking you with the best therapist in the city. You're going to heal. You're going to be an amazing mother to both our children. And so help me, if you ever—" His voice caught, hands trembling where they held me.

The fight drained from me. Ethan lifted me effortlessly, cradling me against his chest. His heartbeat thundered beneath my ear, rapid and unsteady. The familiar scent of his cologne wrapped around me like a shield.

"How did you find me?" I whispered as he carried me to the car.

His answer was firm. "I'll always find you, Sophia. Always."

Tears spilled over as shame crashed through me. "Thank you...for saving me today."

His lips brushed my cheek, then my temple—soft promises without words.

He was right. Liam deserved his mother. Our unborn child deserved life. They both deserved love without conditions, without the shadows of my pain.

Changes had to be made. Starting with facing Daniel—the man who didn't yet know he'd fathered a child. Which meant one thing: a visit to prison.