Chapter 137

The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the hospital corridor as Sophia paced restlessly.

Her fingers trembled as she clutched the edge of her sweater, the sterile scent of antiseptic filling her lungs.

Liam sat quietly in the waiting area, his small legs swinging back and forth, his face pale with worry.

Ethan Blackwood stood by the window, his jaw clenched, his usually composed demeanor fraying at the edges.

The door to the private room finally swung open, and Dr. Bennett stepped out, her expression unreadable.

Sophia’s breath hitched.

"Is she—?"

The doctor nodded, a small smile breaking through. "She’s stable. You can see her now."

Relief crashed over Sophia like a wave, her knees nearly buckling.

Liam shot up from his seat, his eyes wide. "Can I see her too?"

Dr. Bennett ruffled his hair gently. "Of course, sweetheart."

Ethan didn’t move, his gaze fixed on Sophia.

She hesitated, then reached for his hand, squeezing it briefly before following the doctor inside.

The room was dim, the soft hum of machines the only sound.

In the center of the bed lay tiny Iris, swaddled in a pink blanket, her chest rising and falling steadily.

Sophia’s throat tightened.

She had almost lost her.

Again.

Liam tiptoed to the crib, his small fingers brushing against his sister’s tiny hand. "She’s so small," he whispered.

Sophia swallowed hard, blinking back tears.

Ethan finally stepped forward, his presence warm and solid behind her.

"She’s strong," he murmured, his voice rough. "Just like her mother."

Sophia didn’t trust herself to speak.

The door creaked open again, and Daniel Carter stepped inside, his uniform rumpled, his expression grim.

"We need to talk," he said quietly.

Sophia’s stomach twisted.

She knew that tone.

Something was wrong.

Ethan’s grip on her shoulder tightened.

Daniel’s gaze flickered between them before settling on Sophia. "It’s about the accident," he said. "It wasn’t an accident."

The room went still.

Sophia’s blood turned to ice.

"What do you mean?"

Daniel exhaled sharply. "Someone tampered with your car."

A beat of silence.

Then—

Liam gasped.

Ethan’s face darkened.

And Sophia?

Sophia saw red.

"I won't give up, Mommy. I told you—I want you and Dad together, and I always get what I want." Liam's voice was firm, his little jaw set with stubborn determination.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Oh, my love..."

Silence settled between us as we drove through the winding roads leading to my parents' upscale neighborhood. The trees lining the street cast long shadows in the late afternoon sun.

Pulling up to the electronic gates, I entered the passcode Alexander had given me. The gates swung open smoothly, revealing the long driveway ahead.

The estate was breathtaking—manicured lawns, towering oaks, and finally, the grand house at the end of the path.

"Whoa," Liam breathed, pressing his face against the window. "This is even cooler than Grandma and Grandpa Blackwood's place!"

I smirked. Just wait until he found out whose house this really was.

Parking in front of the sprawling garden, we stepped out. Liam immediately grabbed my hand, his wide eyes darting everywhere, soaking in every detail.

Before I could ring the bell, the door opened. A butler in a crisp black suit greeted us with a polite bow.

"Welcome, Madam Prescott. Young Master Liam," he said smoothly. "They're expecting you in the drawing room."

We followed him inside, the opulence of the house impossible to ignore—crystal chandeliers, marble floors, priceless art.

Eleanor and Alexander were seated by the fireplace. The moment she saw us, Eleanor sprang up, rushing forward to pull me into a crushing hug before turning to Liam.

He stiffened in surprise as she squeezed him.

"Darling, you'll suffocate the poor boy," Alexander chuckled, watching with amusement.

Eleanor released Liam, her eyes shimmering with tears. "I'm so sorry, sweetheart. I just... I never thought this day would come."

Liam, ever blunt, tilted his head. "Excuse me, but... who are you?"

Eleanor faltered, but Alexander's lips quirked in approval at his directness.

"Liam," I said gently, kneeling to his level. "These are my parents—your grandparents. Eleanor and Alexander Prescott."

His brows furrowed. "But... aren't Ma and Pa your parents?"

I shook my head. "They raised me, but I was adopted. You know what that means, right?"

He nodded slowly. "Yeah. It's when parents take a baby that isn't theirs and love them anyway."

"Exactly."

His face darkened. "So... they didn't want you?"

My heart clenched at the protective fury in his voice.

Eleanor dropped to her knees beside us, cupping Liam's face. "We wanted your mother more than anything. But someone stole her from us when she was just a baby. We thought she was... gone."

Liam looked to me for confirmation. I nodded, watching as the anger in his eyes softened.

"But what about Ma?" he asked quietly. "Will she be sad? Do I have to stop seeing her?"

"Never," I promised. "She'll always be your Ma. Think of it this way—you're the luckiest boy alive. Five grandparents means five times the love."

Alexander knelt beside us, his voice rough with emotion. "We just want a chance to be part of your lives. That's all we ask."

Liam was silent for a long moment before breaking into a grin. That smile was all the answer we needed.

Eleanor pulled us both into a tight embrace, her tears warm against my cheek. For the first time in years, I let myself believe this could work.

But life had taught me one cruel lesson—happiness never lasted.

The rollercoaster was far from over.