Chapter 93
The phone vibrates in my hand as Victoria's cheerful voice comes through. "How are you holding up, sweetheart? And how are Liam and the baby?"
Once again, my parents were overseas for business. It didn’t surprise me—they had their own private jet, just like Ethan. He owned one, and there was also a family jet. I’d never stepped foot inside his. We barely traveled together.
When my fortune skyrocketed, I briefly considered buying my own jet. But the thought vanished as quickly as it came. What would I even use it for? I rarely traveled far enough to justify the expense. If I needed to go somewhere, I either chartered one or flew business class.
"Sophia?"
"Sorry, Mom. We're all good. Just missing you both like crazy."
And it was true. They’d been gone for a week and wouldn’t return for another. Liam and I missed them more than I expected. It was strange how quickly they’d become such an integral part of our lives.
"We miss you too. Your father says hi, by the way. He’ll call you tonight when he’s less swamped."
"That’s fine."
"Have you bought anything new for the baby yet? Four months isn’t long—soon, he or she will be here." Her voice sparkled with excitement, as always, when she talked about the baby.
"How am I supposed to buy anything when everyone else already has? This baby will have more than enough options." I laughed.
The nursery was overflowing. I thought my parents, Scarlett, and Natalie were excessive—until Damien entered the picture.
Since I allowed him into the baby’s life, he’d been sending adorable gifts. I had no idea where or when he shopped, given he was in hiding. Every single item he’d sent was pink. Like Liam and Daniel, he was convinced it would be a girl.
My smile faded at the thought of him. I’d made a promise, but I couldn’t shake the guilt. I might not have had the best relationship with my father, but he still raised me.
"I can’t wait for the baby to arrive. I missed Liam’s birth, so I’m making up for it with this one," Mom said, pulling me from my dark thoughts.
"Can I call you back? Scarlett and Natalie are here for lunch."
It might not have been them yet, but my mood had already plummeted.
"Of course. Talk later. Love you, Sophia."
"Love you too, Mom." I hung up and sighed, setting the phone down.
The second it left my hand, my conflicting thoughts attacked.
Father wasn’t the only problem tied to Damien. There was also Ethan. He wasn’t my favorite person, but he was Liam’s father. Damien was hell-bent on revenge, and losing Ethan would destroy Liam.
There was also the risk he’d target those Ethan loved—people Liam adored too (except for Isabella, of course). I didn’t know what to do. Part of me regretted giving Damien a chance, while the other half insisted I trust my instincts—and my instincts said it was the right choice.
"What’s got you so deep in thought?" Natalie’s voice startled me.
"Jesus, you scared me!" I pressed a hand to my chest, as if that would slow my racing heart.
"Sorry. I thought you saw me coming," she said sheepishly.
I’d been so lost in my head that I hadn’t noticed them slipping into the private booth.
"It’s fine… just a lot on my mind."
"Care to share?" Scarlett asked, sliding into her seat.
I shook my head. "Not really."
It wasn’t that I didn’t want to—I just didn’t know how. How do you tell your best friends that the most wanted criminal is your baby’s uncle? That we’ve been in contact, and worse, I’ve allowed him into my child’s life?
"Is this about Ethan again?" Scarlett leaned forward, eyes oddly bright. "Nathan mentioned he called a few days ago, completely wasted."
I frowned. I couldn’t remember the last time Ethan got drunk. He’d cut back after Liam was born. Plus, he’d gone radio silent since showing up unannounced at my house that night.
I still couldn’t believe I’d punched him. It felt incredible—something I’d wanted to do for years.
"Why was he drunk?" Natalie asked, curiosity dripping from her words.
Scarlett shrugged. "Nathan and I have no idea, but I bet Sebastian knows. And I double bet Sophia has a clue."
They both turned to me, expectant. I shifted uncomfortably.
"Spill," Scarlett demanded.
"Honestly, I don’t know. The last time I saw him, he showed up at my house uninvited. His behavior was… off. So I told him to leave."
"Define ‘off,’" Natalie pressed.
"He got jealous when Liam mentioned—" I caught myself before saying Damien’s name. "Liam mentioned something about suitors, and Ethan lost it. Said I belonged to him and he wouldn’t let me ‘whore myself’ to other men."
Even now, the memory made my blood boil. Belonged to him? Since when? I wasn’t some object—I was a person.
"Ooh, possessive. Never thought I’d see the day Ethan Blackwood got territorial over you," Scarlett sighed dreamily.
I stared at her like she’d lost her mind.
"You can’t be serious. This is Ethan we’re talking about. The same man who spent nine years telling me I meant nothing to him. That he’d never love me because he hated my guts."
The pain had faded, replaced by anger. All that heartbreak—for what? He was still a thorn in my side.
"I think he’s finally realized he wants you. Why else would he—"
"Even if that’s true—which I doubt—it doesn’t matter. It’s too late. I gave him countless chances during our marriage, and he wasted every one. All he gave me was pain. I don’t see this the way you do."
They fell silent, staring at me like they wanted to argue but didn’t know how. Right now, I just wanted to drop the Ethan issue. I had enough on my plate without adding him to the mix.
"Look, I know you want me happy, and for some reason, you think that’s with Ethan. But you’re wrong. Our relationship was doomed from the start. We’re toxic. I loved and hated him simultaneously—he only hated me. I tried changing myself to make him love me, and it didn’t work. Even if I tried now, it wouldn’t. The love I had is buried under pain, resentment, and bitterness. So please, drop it."
You can’t force the heart to want what it doesn’t. That’s what Scarlett and Natalie were trying to do—manufacture feelings that didn’t exist. They wanted my fairytale ending to be with Ethan. Why couldn’t they understand that wishing for it didn’t make it real?
Sure, Ethan was acting different. But I believed it was temporary. Men wanted what they couldn’t have. He wanted me now because I was out of reach. Once the chase lost its thrill, he’d return to his true love. If I gave in, I’d be left heartbroken—again—when he realized I wasn’t what he wanted.
"Let’s focus on why we’re here," I said after the silence stretched too long.
"Fine," Scarlett grumbled.
"Alright," Natalie agreed.
I exhaled in relief, grateful they’d let it go—for now. I knew Scarlett would bring it up again, but I’d handle it then.
"Can we go somewhere else? This pretentious place is grating on my nerves with all these snooty waitstaff," Scarlett announced suddenly.
"We could go to my restaurant," Natalie suggested.
I didn’t point out they should’ve thought of that earlier. Instead, I stayed quiet.
"Nah. Have you ever been to a fast-food joint or an ice cream shop?" Scarlett turned to Natalie, whose eyes darted nervously.
She shook her head. "Not really."
"Perfect. Today’s your lucky day. We’re having lunch at a burger place, then frozen yogurt, then your office to discuss business."
I smirked at Natalie’s deer-in-headlights expression. It was time she experienced the real world—far better than the stuck-up circles we usually moved in.
Scarlett yanked Natalie up while I stood.
"What if I get food poisoning? I’ve heard those places aren’t hygienic," Natalie protested, trying to wiggle free.
"So what? You’ll spend a few days glued to the toilet, then bounce back. Trust me—greasy food beats this fancy crap any day," Scarlett declared.
Laughing, I followed them, enjoying their bickering. It was refreshing.
I was just thinking how grateful I was for friends like them when a venomous voice shattered my joy.
"Well, well. Look who it is—the pregnant slut."
I turned to see Olivia glaring at me, hatred burning in her eyes. And as if that wasn’t bad enough, Isabella stood beside her.
I closed my eyes and exhaled. Why does the universe hate me so much?