Chapter 127

The moment Sophia stepped into the dimly lit hospital room, her breath caught in her throat.

Liam lay motionless on the bed, his small frame swallowed by the sterile white sheets.

The rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor filled the silence, each pulse a painful reminder of how fragile life was.

Ethan Blackwood stood by the window, his broad shoulders tense, his knuckles white as they gripped the windowsill.

Sophia could see the storm raging behind his dark eyes—guilt, anger, and something deeper, something raw.

She moved forward, her legs unsteady, her fingers trembling as she reached for Liam’s hand.

His skin was cold.

Too cold.

A choked sob escaped her lips before she could stop it.

Ethan turned sharply at the sound, his gaze locking onto hers.

For a heartbeat, neither spoke.

Then, his voice rough with barely restrained emotion, he said, "This is my fault."

Sophia shook her head, tears blurring her vision. "No. It's not."

But the words felt hollow.

Because deep down, she knew—this was the consequence of their choices.

The door creaked open, and Dr. Bennett stepped in, her expression grave.

"I need to speak with both of you," she said quietly.

Sophia’s stomach twisted.

She knew that tone.

Nothing good ever followed it.

Ethan crossed the room in three strides, his presence suddenly overwhelming.

"Tell us," he demanded.

Dr. Bennett hesitated, then sighed. "Liam’s condition is more complicated than we initially thought."

Sophia’s heart stopped.

Complicated.

That was code for worse.

Ethan’s jaw clenched. "What does that mean?"

The doctor’s next words sent a chill down Sophia’s spine.

"It means we’re running out of time."

I press kisses all over his tiny face, pulling him closer until his laughter fills the room.

"Mom!" Liam squeals, squirming but not pulling away. His cheeks flush pink with delight.

"I missed you so much, my love! How are you even here right now?" My voice trembles as I loosen my grip just enough to see his face, but I don’t let go.

We’re both sprawled on the hardwood floor, but I couldn’t care less. The sheer joy of holding him again makes my chest ache.

"Dad brought me," he announces, beaming. "He said you needed me. It was supposed to be a surprise—that’s why I didn’t tell you during our call yesterday!"

Only then do I notice Ethan standing a few feet away, watching us silently. Our eyes meet, and something flickers in his gaze—something deep and unreadable.

"Hi," I murmur, suddenly self-conscious.

He’s been stopping by every single day since… well, since everything happened. Checking on me. Bringing groceries. Even arranging therapy sessions. This version of Ethan—gentle, attentive—is so foreign it leaves me off-balance.

"Hey, Sophia." His lips quirk into a small smile. "How are you holding up today?"

"I’m… okay." I shrug, because it’s mostly true. Healing isn’t linear, but I’m trying.

Liam tugs my sleeve urgently. "Mom, is it true? Are you really having a baby?"

My head snaps toward Ethan, who rubs the back of his neck with a sheepish grin.

Swallowing hard, I turn back to Liam. "Yes, sweetheart." Fear coils in my stomach. He’s never mentioned wanting siblings—what if he resents this?

But then his entire face lights up like fireworks. "YES!" He punches the air, bouncing on his knees. "This is the best news EVER! Can it be a girl? Please? I’ve always wanted a little sister!"

The sheer force of his joy unravels the knot in my chest. If Liam is happy, then maybe—just maybe—everything will be okay.

"It doesn’t quite work like that, baby," I explain gently, smoothing his wild curls. "It could be a boy, too. Fifty-fifty chance."

"No way." He crosses his arms, chin jutting stubbornly. "It’s gonna be a girl. I’m manifesting it!"

The determination in his expression is so eerily like Ethan’s that it steals my breath.

"Liam—" I don’t want him heartbroken if—

"Buddy." Ethan crouches beside us, interrupting smoothly. "Give your mom and me a minute to talk, yeah?"

Liam glances between us, then nods and bolts upstairs—he already knows the layout from our video tours.

Once he’s gone, I stand, wiping my palms on my jeans. "How did you know?" My voice cracks. "That I needed him here?"

Ethan exhales, gaze drifting to the staircase. "Instinct, I guess. Can’t explain it."

"I’m grateful, but… is it safe? Damian’s men are still out there."

His jaw tightens. "They won’t touch Liam. That’s the one thing I can promise." The unspoken even if they come for the rest of us hangs between us, but I feel nothing. Letty aside, the others can rot.

"Thank you," I whisper. "For bringing him back. For… everything."

"Anything for you, Sophia."

The words make my pulse stutter. Since when does Ethan Blackwood say things like that? I half-reach to check his forehead for fever before stopping myself.

Before I can overanalyze, thunderous footsteps barrel down the stairs.

"Mom! My room is insane—way cooler than on camera!" Liam skids to a halt, eyes sparkling.

I laugh, and for the first time in weeks, it doesn’t feel forced. Whatever Ethan’s reasons for changing, they don’t matter right now.

Because tomorrow, I have to face Daniel. And that thought alone is enough to make my hands shake.