Chapter 60

"What are you doing here?" I choke out between sobs.

Ethan kneels before me, his stormy eyes searching mine with an intensity I can't decipher.

"Isabella told me she saw you at the pharmacy," he murmurs, his thumb brushing away my tears. "She said you looked distraught and bought multiple pregnancy tests."

Damn Isabella and her loose lips! What did she hope to achieve by telling Ethan about this?

"She had no right to tell you. This isn’t her business—or yours," I snap.

He ignores my outburst. "Did you take the test?"

I nod, fresh tears spilling over.

"And?"

I can't bring myself to say it. The words stick in my throat like shards of glass.

When I don’t answer, his gaze sweeps the bathroom, landing on the discarded tests near the sink. He stands and picks them up. I should be furious at this invasion of privacy, but I’m too numb to care.

He returns and sits beside me, his shoulder pressing against mine.

"Congratulations," he says, his voice rough. "You’ll be an incredible mother."

I rest my head against him. "Will I? You never wanted another child with me, even though I begged for one. I thought it was because you believed I’d be a terrible mother."

The truth was worse. He hadn’t wanted a baby with me because he’d been waiting for Isabella to return. It was easier to believe he doubted my parenting than to face the reality—he simply hadn’t wanted me.

"I never thought that, Sophia," he says firmly. "You’re the best mother Liam could have. Anyone can see that." He hesitates. "Can I tell you something?"

I nod.

"I was always jealous of your bond with Liam. I still am."

My head jerks up in shock.

"Really?"

I can’t believe Ethan is here, sitting on the cold bathroom tiles with me. The Ethan I knew wouldn’t have cared enough to wipe my tears, let alone comfort me.

"Yeah," he admits.

Silence settles between us. Exhaustion pulls at me, and before I know it, I’m drifting off. I don’t remember falling asleep or how he carried me to bed. The last thing I feel is the brush of his lips against my forehead.

I wake the next afternoon to a cold breakfast on my nightstand. Probably Ethan’s doing.

After showering and dressing, I call my gynecologist. My body feels heavy, drained.

I skip the food and head to my car, driving slower than necessary, delaying the inevitable.

The clinic is filled with couples, reminding me of my pregnancy with Liam. Ethan had never attended a single appointment. The fact that he’d been present for the birth had shocked me—he’d shown so little interest before.

I push the memories aside and check in.

"Sophia Sterling," the nurse finally calls.

Dr. Bennett smiles warmly. "What brings you in today?"

"I need an ultrasound. My tests were positive, but I want confirmation."

My hands tremble as I lie on the exam table. The cold gel on my stomach makes me flinch.

"You’re definitely pregnant. About three months along," she announces as a steady heartbeat fills the room.

Tears blur my vision. She sounds thrilled. I feel nothing but dread.

After the appointment, I drive aimlessly, the ultrasound photos burning a hole in my backseat. I’d hoped the tests were wrong. But there’s no denying it now.

I park at a cliff’s edge, staring into the abyss.

How can I love this baby? It was conceived through lies, by the man who tried to destroy me. Every time I look at them, I’ll remember Daniel’s betrayal.

One step. That’s all it would take.

"Ava!" Ethan’s voice cracks like thunder behind me.

I don’t turn. The wind howls, urging me forward.

"Sophia, step back. Now."

I’m so tired. Tired of pain, of fighting.

"I can’t do this anymore," I whisper.

He yanks me back, his grip ironclad. "Think of Liam! Would you leave him motherless? And your baby—are you really so selfish you’d kill an innocent life?"

At Liam’s name, I go limp.

"You’re seeing a therapist," Ethan growls. "You’ll face this. You’ll be the mother your children deserve—or so help me, Sophia—"

He doesn’t finish. He doesn’t need to.

I collapse against him. He carries me to his car, his heartbeat erratic against my ear.

"Thank you," I murmur.

His lips brush my cheek. "I’ll always find you."

He’s right. Liam deserves better. So does this baby.

Which means I have to do the unthinkable—tell Daniel he’s going to be a father.