Chapter 68

My fingers drum against the armrest as I sit in the clinic's waiting area, waiting for my name to be called.

Nervous doesn’t even begin to cover it. My pulse is racing, my palms damp.

It’s like history repeating itself. My second pregnancy, and once again, I’m alone at my appointments. The only difference? This time, Ethan can’t be here—whereas with Liam, he simply chose not to come.

I’d been in denial about this pregnancy until a few days ago, when my jeans stopped fitting. The bump is undeniable now. Soon, everyone will know.

I exhale, rubbing my temples. I need to tell my parents. But how? How do I explain that I’m carrying Ethan’s child—their adopted son’s baby? The whole situation is twisted beyond words.

But there’s no undoing it. This baby is coming, whether I’m ready or not.

"Your anxiety is practically radiating off you, Sophia."

That deep, familiar voice snaps me back to reality.

I turn so fast my neck twinges. My breath catches.

Ethan Blackwood stands there, his storm-gray eyes locked onto mine. He looks unfairly handsome, his expression unreadable.

"Ethan? What are you doing here?" I blink, half-convinced I’m hallucinating.

He shrugs, the ghost of a smirk on his lips. "Support. Didn’t want you sitting here alone."

I stare. This man has never smiled at me before. Never cared enough to show up.

Something’s off.

I reach out, pressing my palm to his forehead. "Are you sick? Feverish? Because this isn’t—"

"What the hell are you doing?" He frowns, swatting my hand away.

"Checking if you’ve lost your mind."

Before I can interrogate him further, the nurse calls my name.

Ethan takes my hand, pulling me up with unsettling gentleness. He leads me to the exam room, his grip firm. I stare at his broad back, baffled.

Dr. Bennett greets us with a warm smile. "Ready to see how your little one’s doing, Sophia?"

I nod, still dazed.

"And this must be the father?" She glances at Ethan.

"No!" I cut in before he can speak. "He’s just… here."

Ethan’s jaw tightens, his fingers squeezing mine almost painfully.

"Alright then." Dr. Bennett gestures to the exam table. "You know the drill—shirt up, please."

Ethan helps me up, his gaze lingering on my exposed stomach. It’s surreal—the last time he saw me like this was over a year ago.

The cold gel makes me flinch as Dr. Bennett moves the wand.

"Hmm." She studies the screen.

"Is something wrong?" Ethan demands before I can speak.

"Everything’s perfect. Strong heartbeat, perfect growth." She turns to me. "Want to know the gender?"

"No," I say at the same time Ethan says, "Yes."

Dr. Bennett arches a brow. "Since you’re not the father, I’ll defer to Sophia. Unless you’ve changed your mind?"

I shake my head. "I want it to be a surprise, like with Liam."

She prints the sonogram, handing me two copies—one for Ethan, though I don’t say it aloud.

As we leave, Ethan surprises me again. "Lunch. Now."

"Why?"

"We need to talk."

I scan the street for a taxi. "There’s nothing to discuss."

His expression darkens. "Get in the car, Sophia. Or I’ll put you there myself."

I glare but relent, sliding into his Porsche.

The restaurant is upscale, quiet. The moment we’re seated, I snap. "What’s going on with you? You never cared before. Why now?"

His gaze is unflinching. "Because I was wrong."

The admission stuns me. Ethan Blackwood doesn’t apologize. Ever.

"I blamed you for everything," he continues, voice rough. "I let you shoulder the guilt alone. You were eighteen. Scared. And I made sure you stayed that way."

My throat tightens. "Why are you saying this now?"

"Because I can’t undo what I did." His hands clench. "But I can stop pretending I don’t regret it."

I look away, my chest aching. Forgiveness isn’t that simple.

The damage is done.

And some wounds never fully heal.