Chapter 176

The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the hospital corridor as Sophia paced restlessly outside the delivery room. Her fingers twisted the hem of her sweater, nails digging into the fabric. Every muffled cry from inside sent a fresh wave of anxiety through her.

Ethan Blackwood stood nearby, his jaw clenched, eyes fixed on the closed door. His usual composure had cracked, revealing the tension beneath. He hadn’t spoken since they arrived, but the rigid set of his shoulders betrayed his unease.

Isabella rushed down the hall, her heels clicking against the tile. "Any news?" she asked breathlessly, clutching Sophia’s arm.

Sophia shook her head. "Not yet."

The door swung open, and Dr. Bennett stepped out, her expression unreadable. Sophia’s heart lurched.

"Everything’s fine," the doctor said quickly, noticing their panic. "But we’ve had a minor complication. The baby’s heartbeat dropped for a moment, but it’s stabilized now."

Sophia exhaled sharply, her knees nearly buckling. Ethan’s hand shot out to steady her, his grip firm.

"We’re monitoring closely," Dr. Bennett continued. "It shouldn’t be much longer."

As the doctor disappeared back inside, Sophia leaned against the wall, her pulse still racing. Ethan’s phone buzzed, but he ignored it, his attention locked on the door.

Isabella squeezed Sophia’s hand. "She’s going to be okay."

Sophia nodded, but the fear lingered.

Then, a sharp cry pierced the air—strong, clear, unmistakable.

Sophia’s breath caught.

Moments later, Dr. Bennett reappeared, smiling this time. "Congratulations. You have a beautiful, healthy daughter."

Tears spilled down Sophia’s cheeks as relief crashed over her. Ethan’s rigid posture finally relaxed, his eyes softening.

"Can we see her?" Sophia asked, voice trembling.

"Of course," the doctor said. "Just give us a few minutes to clean her up."

As they waited, Ethan’s phone buzzed again. This time, he glanced at it, his expression darkening.

Sophia frowned. "What is it?"

He hesitated, then pocketed the phone. "Nothing important."

But the tension had returned to his shoulders, sharper than before.

Sophia’s stomach twisted.

Something was wrong.

How could he possibly expect me to believe him now? For nine long years, he—along with everyone else—had drilled into my head that I was worthless. That I meant nothing to him. So how could he suddenly flip the script and think I’d just accept it without question?

My mind was a storm of unanswered questions, each one twisting my thoughts into knots. But I shoved them aside. Whatever was going on in Ethan Blackwood’s head wasn’t my problem anymore. We were done. It wasn’t my job to decipher him.

Exhaustion dragged me under before I could stop it, and I fell into a deep sleep.

When I woke, my parents were there, each holding one of my hands. They looked just as drained as I felt, but their presence wrapped around me like a warm blanket. For the first time in years, I felt truly loved.

This was what I had yearned for from Ethan and the Sterlings. And now that I had it, the emotions were overwhelming.

A soft sound escaped me, and they both looked up.

"Sophia," Mom whispered, her voice thick with tears. "How are you feeling?"

My eyes burned. I blinked hard, but the tears spilled anyway.

"I love you both so much," I choked out. "Thank you for being everything I ever dreamed of."

"Oh, darling," Mom said, her own tears glistening. "You have no idea how long I’ve waited to hear you say that."

"We love you too, sweetheart," Dad added, squeezing my hand. "More than words can express."

I let the tears fall as I soaked in their embrace, surrounded by the love I’d craved for so long.

The moment was interrupted when the door opened, and a nurse stepped in.

"Ready for discharge, Sophia?" she asked with a kind smile.

Relief washed over me. The doctors had assured me the drugs I’d inhaled hadn’t harmed the baby. My son was safe.

"Yes," I said, smiling back. "I can’t wait to hold him."

Ethan had told me our son was with his parents. I planned to pick him up on the way home. After today, I didn’t want to let him out of my sight.

"Great. Just stop by reception when you’re ready," the nurse said before leaving.

Mom helped me change into fresh clothes while Dad handled the paperwork. They insisted on taking care of everything, wanting me to rest.

As I waited, I spotted the Sterlings—Nathan, Victoria, Sebastian, and Ethan. My breath hitched. Steeling myself, I walked toward them, unsure what I was doing but needing to know about Isabella.

They turned to me as I approached, the tension thick. It felt like high school all over again—the awkward outsider approaching the untouchable elite.

"I just wanted to ask how Isabella is," I said, shifting nervously.

Silence stretched until Victoria stood and pulled me into a hug. I froze. She’d never hugged me before. It felt wrong. My arms stayed stiff at my sides.

Nathan was the one who answered. "She’s okay. Just out of surgery."

I nodded. What else was there to say?

Victoria released me when she realized I wasn’t returning the embrace. Tears shimmered in her eyes as she reached for my cheek, but I stepped back.

"I’m glad you’re safe, Sophia," she said, voice breaking. "So thankful both my daughters are okay."

I wanted to snap that I wasn’t her daughter—not anymore. But before I could, Mom’s voice called from behind.

"Sweetheart? It’s time to go."

Victoria flinched, but I didn’t care.

My gaze swept over them one last time, lingering on Ethan for only a second before I looked away.

"Tell Isabella I’m grateful for what she did," I said, then turned and walked to my parents.

Dad wrapped an arm around me, and Mom took my hand. I could feel eyes burning into my back, but I refused to turn around.

I wouldn’t acknowledge the emotion I’d seen in Ethan’s eyes—the one that looked like love. Because that couldn’t be real.

Ethan Blackwood only loved one woman. And her name was Isabella.