Chapter 157

The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the hospital corridor as Sophia clutched Liam’s small hand tightly. His fingers trembled slightly, mirroring the unease in her own chest.

She forced a reassuring smile. "It’s going to be okay, sweetheart."

Liam nodded, but his wide eyes remained fixed on the sterile white doors ahead. Behind them lay the room where Ethan Blackwood lay unconscious, his injuries severe.

Isabella stepped closer, her voice low. "The doctor said he’s stable now. That’s a good sign."

Sophia exhaled shakily. Stable wasn’t the same as safe. Not when the man who had orchestrated the attack was still out there.

Nathan’s phone buzzed, and he glanced at the screen, his jaw tightening. "They found the car abandoned near the docks. No sign of him."

Him. Sebastian. Ethan’s twin, the architect of this chaos.

Sophia’s grip on Liam’s hand tightened instinctively. She wouldn’t let him near her son again.

The doors swung open, and Dr. Bennett stepped out, her expression unreadable. "He’s awake."

Relief and dread warred within Sophia. She hesitated, then squared her shoulders. "Liam, stay with Aunt Isabella for a minute, okay?"

The boy looked up at her, his eyes too old for his years. "I want to see Dad."

Her heart ached. After everything, Liam still called Ethan Dad.

Isabella gently took his hand. "Just for a little bit, buddy. Your mom needs to talk to the doctors first."

Sophia followed Dr. Bennett inside, her pulse erratic.

Ethan lay propped up on the bed, his face pale beneath the bruises. But his gaze—sharp and alert—locked onto hers the moment she entered.

"You shouldn’t be here," he rasped.

She crossed her arms. "Where else would I be?"

His jaw clenched. "Somewhere safe. Sebastian won’t stop."

"Neither will I." She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "This ends now, Ethan. Tell me everything."

A shadow crossed his face. "It’s not that simple."

"Make it simple."

Outside, the distant wail of a siren pierced the air.

Ethan’s eyes darkened. "He’s already made his next move."

Sophia’s blood ran cold.

Somewhere in the city, the game had just escalated.

And she was out of time.

"Sir?" She answers immediately, her voice crisp through the line.

"Take down the latest article about me and Sophia. Now." My tone is sharp, laced with barely restrained fury.

"I see it. Give me ten minutes."

"And make it clear—anyone who dares publish about Sophia’s private life will be ruined."

"Understood, sir."

I end the call, my grip on the phone tightening.

Sophia has always valued her privacy. And I’ll defend it, no matter the cost.

"What’s really going on between you and Sophia, Ethan?" My mother’s voice cuts through my thoughts. Her gaze is probing, as if she could unravel the truth just by staring into my eyes.

I’m relieved she doesn’t ask about the pregnancy rumors. That’s not my secret to share.

"I don’t know," I admit, frustration seeping into my voice.

"Victoria told me you’ve been avoiding Isabella. That you ended things and refuse to speak to her. Is this because of Sophia?"

I consider lying, but what’s the point?

"Partly."

Her sharp inhale is audible. I don’t meet her eyes, afraid of what I’ll find there.

"Did you know Sophia wasn’t Victoria and William’s biological daughter?" I ask when the silence stretches too long.

"Yes."

"Was that why you hated her?"

"No." Her answer surprises me. "I hated her because she stole your happiness. Your light. You loved Isabella deeply, and because of Sophia’s obsession, you lost her." Her voice wavers. "Watching you become a shell of yourself was agony, Ethan. It was like you died the day she left."

I shake my head, unwilling to revisit that dark period. I was a ghost, barely living.

"You despised her then, but something’s changed. I saw those photos of you two outside the boutique. The way you looked at her—like she held your entire world in her hands. Like you were in love."

I turn to her, stunned. She can’t be right.

"Sebastian confirmed she wasn’t lying about being drunk that night. He obtained the security footage." I deflect, the weight of my past cruelty settling heavily in my chest.

The pain I caused her—she endured it until she couldn’t anymore. Until she cut us out of her life completely.

"Then I owe her an apology for my part in shunning her." Her voice is heavy with regret.

Silence stretches between us, both lost in our thoughts. Then she speaks again.

"You need to tell her, Ethan. Tell Sophia you love her. Nine years have already been wasted—years you could’ve spent happy with her. Don’t wait until it’s too late."

"But how?" I drag a hand down my face. "I don’t even understand what I feel. She’s got me twisted up inside, and I can’t make sense of it."

That’s the torment—not knowing how to define what she means to me.

"Language," she chides before sighing. "You spent so long hating her that those emotions are clashing with what’s emerging now. That’s why you’re confused. You’re trying to reconcile years of resentment with something new."

She continues, softer now. "Take your time. But with Sophia—I saw how she looked at you. Whatever love she once had is either gone or buried deep. Push her too hard, and she’ll shut you out for good."

I nod, absorbing her advice. After a few more minutes, I leave, tension still coiled in my shoulders.

Driving to my office, I finally acknowledge the truth.

I do have feelings for Sophia. Powerful ones.

I just don’t know how deep they run—or what they truly mean.

But it’s time I find out.