Chapter 139

The moment Sophia stepped into the hospital room, her heart clenched.

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

Ethan stood by the window, his back rigid, his knuckles white where they gripped the windowsill.

She could feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating.

"Liam," she whispered, rushing to his side.

His face was pale, his breathing shallow.

A monitor beeped steadily beside him, the sound grating against her nerves.

Ethan turned, his expression unreadable.

"You came," he said, his voice rough.

"Of course I came," she snapped, her fingers brushing Liam's forehead. "What happened?"

Ethan exhaled sharply. "He collapsed at school. They said it was exhaustion, but—"

"But what?" Sophia pressed.

Ethan's jaw tightened. "They found something in his bloodwork. They’re running more tests."

Sophia's stomach twisted.

She couldn’t lose him. Not again.

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 pulse spiked.

This wasn’t good.

Ethan moved closer, his presence a silent anchor.

Dr. Bennett hesitated, then spoke.

"It’s not exhaustion. Liam’s condition is more serious than we thought."

Sophia’s breath hitched.

"How serious?" Ethan demanded.

Dr. Bennett met their gazes.

"We believe it’s a rare blood disorder. Without immediate treatment, his body won’t be able to fight it."

Sophia swayed, her vision blurring.

Ethan’s hand shot out, steadying her.

"What do we do?" he asked, his voice steel.

Dr. Bennett sighed. "There’s an experimental treatment. But it’s risky."

Sophia swallowed hard.

She looked at Liam, so small, so fragile.

She wouldn’t let him suffer. Not if she could help it.

"We’ll do it," she said firmly.

Ethan nodded in agreement.

Dr. Bennett gave them a tight smile. "I’ll prepare the paperwork."

As she left, Sophia sank into the chair beside Liam’s bed, her fingers lacing with his.

Ethan stood behind her, his hand resting on her shoulder.

For the first time in years, they were united.

For Liam.

For their son.

And Sophia refused to let anything tear them apart again.

"I want to take you out for lunch," Ethan says, catching me off guard.

I narrow my eyes at him. "Why?"

"We need to talk."

My gaze darts to the street, searching for a cab. Today, I hadn’t been in the mood to drive, so I’d taken one.

"I don’t think that’s necessary. There’s nothing left to say." I meet his piercing stare again.

He drags a hand through his dark hair, frustration tightening his jaw.

"Ethan—" I start to tell him I’m leaving, but his expression hardens, cutting me off.

"I’m not taking no for an answer. Either you get in the car willingly, or I put you in there myself," he growls, nodding toward his sleek black vehicle.

"You wouldn’t dare."

"Try me, Sophia."

He takes a step forward, and I know he’s dead serious. With a huff, I spin around and march to his car, yanking the door open before sliding inside.

The engine roars to life as he gets in, and I glare at him, arms crossed.

Silence stretches between us. I’m too angry, too confused by his sudden shift in behavior. I miss the Ethan I knew—cold, distant, predictable. This version? Unreadable. Unsettling.

We pull up to an upscale restaurant I’ve never been to before. He gives his name at the hostess stand, and we’re immediately led to a secluded table.

"What’s going on with you?" I demand the second we’re alone. "You’ve been acting so… erratic. Showing up at my doctor’s appointment for a baby that isn’t even yours? You never came to a single one when I was pregnant with Liam."

He doesn’t answer. Just stares at me with that familiar icy detachment, reminding me of the man I used to know.

"You wanted nothing to do with me before. Now, suddenly, you’re everywhere. Don’t get me wrong—I’m grateful you helped me when I was at my lowest. But can we just go back to how things were? I don’t need more complications. Especially not with Isabella involved."

I don’t want them in my life. Not after everything. Not when all they’ve ever brought me is pain.

I just want to heal. And I can’t do that surrounded by the people who broke me.

A long silence passes before he finally speaks, his voice rough. "I’m sorry."

The words are so quiet I almost think I imagined them.

"I was furious at you. I refused to admit my own role in what happened that night. I let you take the blame, then punished you for something that wasn’t entirely your fault."

My breath catches. Ethan Blackwood doesn’t apologize. Ever.

His jaw clenches as he continues, anger simmering beneath the surface. "I treated you like shit when you were just a scared eighteen-year-old trying to survive. I let you go to every appointment alone. I’ll regret that for the rest of my damn life."

"Why now?" I whisper. "Why apologize when it’s too late to change anything? The damage is done. The best we can do is stay out of each other’s way."

What is happening? When I needed apologies, no one gave them. Now that I’ve moved on, suddenly everyone wants to atone?

"I’m sorry," he repeats, his voice raw. "I don’t make mistakes often, but how I treated you? That was the worst one."

The words hang in the air, but they don’t sink in. How am I supposed to forgive him? How do I forget the hell he put me through?

I stare down at the table, silent. Because the truth is—I don’t know if I ever can.