Chapter 94
"Sophia, how are you?" Mom's voice filters through the phone, warm and familiar. "And how are the baby and Liam?"
Once again, they were overseas for business. It didn’t surprise me that they had their own private jet—Ethan did too. He owned one, and there was also a family jet. I’d never stepped foot inside his. Probably because we never traveled together.
When my wealth skyrocketed, I briefly considered buying my own jet. But I dismissed the idea immediately. What would I even use it for? I rarely went anywhere that required such luxury. If I needed to travel, I either chartered one or flew business class.
"Sophia?"
"Sorry, Mom. We’re all good. Just missing you 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 we expected. It was surprising how quickly they’d become such an integral part of our lives.
"We miss you too. Your dad says hi, by the way. He’ll call you tonight when he’s less swamped."
"That’s fine."
"So, have you bought anything new for the baby? Four months isn’t long. Soon, he or she will be here." As always, excitement laced her voice when she talked about the baby.
"How am I supposed to buy anything when everyone around me already has? This baby will have more than enough options." I laughed.
The nursery was overflowing. I thought Mom, Dad, Amelia, and Natalie were excessive—until Damian entered the picture.
Ever since I allowed him to be part of the baby’s life, he’d been sending adorable little gifts. I didn’t even know where or when he shopped, given he was in hiding. Everything he bought was pink. Like Liam and Daniel, he was convinced it would be a girl.
My smile faded as thoughts of him resurfaced. I’d made him a promise, but I hadn’t gotten along with my father, despite him raising me.
"I can’t wait for the baby to be born. I missed Liam’s birth, so I’m making up for it with this one." Her voice pulled me from my dark thoughts.
"Mom, can I call you back? Amelia and Natalie are here for lunch, and I see them pulling up."
It probably wasn’t them, but my mood had already plummeted.
"Of course. Talk later. Love you, Sophia."
"Love you too, Mom." I hung up and sighed, setting my phone down.
The moment I did, my conflicted thoughts attacked.
Father wasn’t the only issue with Damian. There was also Ethan. He wasn’t my favorite person, but he was Liam’s father. Damian was hell-bent on revenge, and losing Ethan would destroy Liam.
There was also the possibility he’d target those Ethan loved—people Liam loved too, except for Isabella. I didn’t know what to do. Part of me regretted giving Damian a chance, while the other urged me to trust my instincts, which told me it was the right decision.
"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." She looked sheepish.
I’d been so lost in my head that I hadn’t noticed them entering the private booth.
"It’s fine. Just… a lot on my mind."
"Care to share?" Amelia asked, taking 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 friends that the criminal the entire city is hunting is your baby’s uncle? That we’ve been in contact, and worse, I’ve allowed him into my child’s life?
2/5
"Is this about Ethan again?" Amelia 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 good—I’d wanted to do that for years.
"Why was he drunk?" Natalie asked, curious.
Amelia shrugged. "Nathan and I have no idea, but I bet Sebastian knows. And I double bet Sophia does too."
They both turned to me expectantly. I shifted uncomfortably.
"Spill," Amelia demanded.
"Honestly, I don’t know. The last time I saw him, he showed up at my house late at night acting weird, so I told him to leave."
"Define ‘weird,’" Natalie pressed.
"He got jealous when Liam mentioned—" I caught myself before saying Damian’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, his words pissed me off. Belonged to him? Since when? And I wasn’t some object—I was a person.
"Ooh, possessive. Never thought I’d see the day Ethan Blackwood got possessive over you," Amelia said dreamily.
I stared at her like she’d lost her mind.
"Are you serious? This is Ethan. The same man who told me repeatedly that I meant nothing to him. That he’d never love me because he hated me."
The pain had mostly turned to 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—"
3/5
"Even if that’s true—which I doubt—it doesn’t matter. It’s too late. I gave him nine years of chances, and he wasted every one. All he gave me was pain. I don’t see things 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 topic. 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 marriage was doomed from the start. We’re toxic. I loved and hated him simultaneously, while he only hated me. I changed myself trying to make him love me, and it didn’t work. Even if I tried now, it wouldn’t matter. Any 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 they 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 wanting him to love me didn’t make it real?
Sure, Ethan was acting different, but it was just a phase. Men always wanted what they couldn’t have. Soon, he’d get bored and return to his true love. If I gave in, I’d be left heartbroken all over again.
"Let’s focus on why we’re here," I said after the silence stretched too long.
"Fine," Amelia grumbled.
"Alright," Natalie agreed.
I sighed in relief. For now, they’d let it go—though I knew Amelia would bring it up again later.
"Can we go somewhere else? This pretentious place is getting on my nerves with all these snobby waiters," Amelia said suddenly.
"We could go to my restaurant," Natalie offered.
I didn’t know why they hadn’t thought of that earlier. Instead of commenting, I stayed quiet.
"Nah. Have you ever been to a fast-food place or an ice cream shop?" Amelia 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 joint, then froyo, then we’ll head to your office to discuss business."
I smirked at Natalie’s deer-in-headlights expression. It was time she experienced the real world—which, in my opinion, was far better than the stuck-up circles we usually moved in.
Amelia tugged 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 be fine. Trust me—greasy food beats this fancy crap any day," Amelia said.
Laughing, I followed them out, listening to their bickering. It was refreshing.
I was just thinking how grateful I was for 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 with pure hatred. And standing right beside her?
Isabella.
I closed my eyes and exhaled. Why does the universe hate me so much?