Chapter 79

The weight of the morning pressed down on me like a lead blanket. My mood was sour, and the reason was no mystery—Liam was still upset with me for sending Ethan away. I had thought my excuses were convincing, but apparently, my son saw right through them.

Sometimes, I wished we had never pretended in front of him. We thought we were protecting him, giving him the illusion of a happy family. Instead, all we did was lie.

Now, Liam was convinced that Ethan and I had once been in love—and worse, that we could be again.

How was I supposed to tell him the truth without shattering his little heart? How could I explain that everything he believed about Ethan and me was a carefully constructed lie?

My greatest fear was that he would hate us for deceiving him. But we couldn’t keep this up. We couldn’t let him cling to false hope.

With a heavy sigh, I dragged myself out of bed. I had gone back to sleep after Liam left for school, but exhaustion clung to me like a second skin. These days, my growing belly made every movement sluggish.

I shuffled to the bathroom and stepped under the shower, hoping the water would wash away the fatigue. It didn’t.

Dressing was another chore. I settled on a white spaghetti-strap sundress dotted with blue flowers, the hem brushing just above my knees. No more hiding—my parents knew about the pregnancy now, and I was done pretending.

Makeup? Too much effort. A swipe of concealer under my tired eyes was all I managed before heading downstairs.

The doorbell rang just as I reached the foyer.

I wasn’t in the mood for visitors. Not today. Not when I felt like this.

Still, I opened the door—and immediately regretted it.

Nathan stood on my doorstep, disheveled and worn.

I moved to slam the door in his face, but he caught it before I could.

"Please, Sophia," he begged, his voice ragged.

"What do you want?" My tone was ice, even to my own ears.

It was almost funny how easily my voice turned cold these days. No effort required. Just instant detachment, as if I were speaking to a stranger.

"Can I come in?"

"Absolutely not. Say what you came to say and leave."

I wasn’t going to pretend I wasn’t curious. The last time I’d seen Nathan was when Mother had dropped the bombshell about my true parentage.

He hesitated, and my curiosity sharpened. Nathan had always been arrogant, self-assured. Seeing him nervous was… intriguing.

"Spit it out already! I don’t have all day," I snapped when the silence stretched too long.

Why was I even entertaining this? I should’ve called the police the second I saw him.

"I was wondering if you could talk to Eleanor and Alexander," he finally said, so quietly I had to strain to hear.

"About what?"

"Sharp Corp." His voice cracked. "They’ve gone after us. Convinced every investor in their network to drop us. The company is sinking, Sophia. We’re losing everything—investors, clients, funds."

I exhaled slowly. Honestly, I’d thought Mom and Dad’s threat was just that—a threat. I never imagined they’d actually dismantle the Sharps for what they’d done to me.

But if there was one thing Nathan loved more than anything, it was that company. His pride. His legacy. For him to come here, practically begging, meant he was desperate. Out of options.

"You know I don’t care if that company burns to the ground, right?" I crossed my arms.

He looked exhausted. Like a man who hadn’t slept in weeks.

Amelia hadn’t mentioned any of this to me. Then again, I’d told her never to bring Nathan up in my presence.

"Please, Sophia. I’m begging you. We’re family."

That word sent a spike of fury through me.

"Family?" I scoffed. "How, Nathan? If I remember correctly, you cut me off. You said I was dead to you. You renounced me as your sister years ago. And then you proved it—every time you took Isabella’s side, every time you treated me like garbage. Every damn time you laughed when Ethan tore my heart out because I’d hurt your precious sister—did you think of me as family then?"

He said nothing. What could he say? He knew the truth. To him, to all of them, I had been nothing. An inconvenience.

"So tell me—if I wasn’t family then, why should you be now? That card doesn’t work on me anymore."

Our eyes locked. I used to study the differences between us. Nathan and Isabella didn’t look alike, but you could tell they were related. Me? I never fit. That should’ve been my first clue.

"Let’s be honest. You never cared about me. The only reason you’re here is because you think you can use me. But I won’t let you. Go home, Nathan. And don’t ever come back."

I shoved him back and slammed the door so hard the frame rattled. Leaning against it, I sucked in sharp breaths.

A few minutes later, his car roared to life and sped away.

I needed air. Needed to escape.

Grabbing my keys, I headed for the door—then paused at the sight of the clothes Ethan had bought. On impulse, I snatched them up. Maybe I’d drop them at a shelter on my way.

Within minutes, I was on the road, my mind a storm. First Ethan, now Nathan. The audacity of them, thinking they could waltz back into my life and demand things. As if the past could just be erased.

If Ethan weren’t Liam’s father, I’d have cut him out completely. Everything I did was for Liam. I’d been tempted so many times to take him far away—but his love for his father always stopped me.

I wanted to move. To start fresh. But I knew it would break Liam’s heart. Ethan thought Liam loved me more. He didn’t realize the boy adored him just as much.

Spotting an ice cream shop, I pulled over. The front was packed, so I parked in the back instead.

Comfort food. That’s what I needed.

Inside, the shop was cozy, the air sweet with sugar. I ordered a massive bowl of vanilla—my go-to when I needed solace.

My thoughts circled back to Nathan. I wasn’t sure how I felt about revenge. Part of me wanted to watch them crumble. The other part just wanted to forget they existed.

Was it wrong that the vengeful side was winning?

I finished my ice cream no clearer than when I’d started. Maybe my therapist could help me sort this out.

Decision made, I headed for my car—but never reached it.

A hand clamped over my mouth and nose.

I barely had time to struggle before darkness swallowed me whole.