Chapter 95

The moment Sophia stepped into the dimly lit hospital corridor, her pulse quickened.

The sterile scent of antiseptic filled the air, sharp and unforgiving.

Her fingers trembled as she clutched the strap of her bag.

Liam had been rushed here after the accident.

She had barely processed Ethan’s frantic call before racing to the hospital, her mind a whirlwind of fear.

Now, standing outside the emergency room, she forced herself to breathe.

The door swung open, and Dr. Bennett emerged, her expression unreadable.

Sophia’s heart lodged in her throat.

"Mrs. Blackwood," the doctor began.

Sophia flinched at the title she no longer carried.

But she didn’t correct her. Not now.

"Liam is stable," Dr. Bennett continued. "He has a concussion and a fractured wrist, but he’ll recover."

Relief crashed over Sophia like a wave.

Then the doctor’s gaze darkened.

"But there’s something else."

Sophia stiffened.

"During the examination, we found traces of a sedative in his system."

Sophia’s blood ran cold.

A sedative?

Liam hadn’t been given anything—unless someone had slipped it to him.

Her mind raced.

Who would do this?

And why?

Before she could voice her thoughts, heavy footsteps echoed down the hall.

Ethan Blackwood strode toward them, his face a mask of fury.

His sharp eyes locked onto Sophia.

"What the hell happened?" he demanded.

Sophia recoiled at the accusation in his tone.

"I don’t know," she said, her voice steady despite the storm inside her.

Ethan’s jaw clenched.

"You were the last one with him before the accident."

Sophia’s breath hitched.

That wasn’t true.

She had dropped Liam off at school.

Unless…

Unless someone had taken him after.

Her stomach twisted.

Ethan stepped closer, his presence suffocating.

"If anything happens to my son—"

"Your son?" Sophia cut in, her voice icy. "You didn’t even want him until now."

Ethan’s expression darkened.

Before he could respond, a nurse hurried over.

"Mr. Blackwood, your mother is on the phone. She’s insisting on speaking with you."

Ethan exhaled sharply, then turned away, pulling out his phone.

Sophia watched him go, her thoughts racing.

Someone had targeted Liam.

And she would find out who.

No matter the cost.

She turned back to Dr. Bennett.

"I need to see him."

The doctor nodded.

"Follow me."

As Sophia stepped into Liam’s room, her heart shattered.

Her little boy lay still, his face pale against the white sheets.

She moved to his side, gently brushing his hair back.

Then she noticed something clutched in his hand.

A small, crumpled note.

Carefully, she pried it free and unfolded it.

The message was short.

But it sent a chill down her spine.

"You should have stayed gone."

Lucas had called the moment he saw my missed call. His voice was apologetic as he explained he’d been in a meeting, his phone silenced.

He wanted to rush home immediately, but I assured him everything was under control. That Hunter was fine now—no more tears, no more sadness.

For me, that was enough.

He hesitated but finally agreed to stay when I reminded him his meeting would run late.

Now, here I was, preparing dinner while my mind raced. It felt like my thoughts were a storm I couldn’t escape—especially the new ones about Hunter.

What was it about him that unsettled me so much?

“What’s for dinner, Mom?” Liam asked, sliding onto a stool at the kitchen island.

“Yeah, what? I’m starving,” Hunter added, flashing me that smile again.

That damn smile.

It wasn’t that I hated it. I could never hate any expression from Hunter. But something about it bothered me. There was a familiarity I couldn’t place.

“Not sure yet,” I admitted. “Let’s see what my cravings decide.”

Liam grinned and nudged Hunter. “Mom’s cravings are wild. Sometimes amazing, sometimes… questionable.”

Hunter chuckled. “Can I help?”

“Of course. Want to handle the chicken?”

Liam was a disaster in the kitchen, so he usually stayed out unless it was foolproof. I handed Hunter the marinated chicken breasts and seasoned flour, watching as he eagerly took them.

One thing I’d learned? The boy loved cooking. Some woman would be lucky to have him one day.

“Liam, you’re on dessert duty,” I said.

“At least that’s hard to mess up,” he joked, making us both laugh.

I loved his self-awareness.

“Hunter, careful with the marinade—don’t rub your eyes. The Tabasco will burn,” I warned.

He nodded, and we fell into an easy rhythm, chatting and laughing. My heart swelled seeing him like this—happy.

I couldn’t erase his pain, but I could give him moments like this.

He was such a sweet boy. Shy at first, but once he opened up? Pure sunshine.

Which made it worse that his mother wanted nothing to do with him.

From what little I’d gathered, she’d walked away. Whether by choice or circumstance, it didn’t matter—it hurt him. The last thing I wanted was for him to grow up broken, like me.

“This is what I’ve always wished for,” Hunter murmured suddenly.

“What?” Liam asked.

Hunter took a deep breath. “This. Having a mom beside me, cooking together. Dad’s amazing, but… he’s not her.”

My heart shattered.

If I could, I’d give him the world. But some things were impossible—like Liam wishing Ethan and I would reunite.

“You okay, sweetheart?” I asked softly.

He smiled up at me. “Yeah. I have you, Liam, and Dad. That’s enough. You’re not my real mom, but… you feel like one.”

I abandoned the food and pulled him into a hug, pressing a kiss to his forehead.

“Damn,” Liam muttered.

“Language!” I scolded.

He sighed. “Sorry, Mom. I’ve been pushing you and Dad without realizing how lucky I am to have you both. Will you forgive me?”

I opened my arms, and he stepped into them. “Forgiven.”

“I’ll still hope,” he whispered. “But I’ll stop pushing.”

“Thank you.”

We finished cooking, set the table, and devoured dinner—almost everything. I saved leftovers for Lucas, knowing he’d come home exhausted.

After baths and bedtime, an idea struck me.

I had a five-bedroom house. One was a nursery, but the last spare room?

It could be Hunter’s.

A place for him to stay, to feel safe. Excitement bubbled as I grabbed a notepad, scribbling down everything he’d need.

I’d ask Lucas, but I was sure he’d agree. He knew Hunter best—he could help design it.

The doorbell rang as I finished my list.

Lucas stood there, exhaustion lining his face.

“Hey,” I said.

“Hey,” he replied with a tired smile.

We moved to the living room.

“They’re asleep?” he asked.

“Yeah.”

I hesitated, then broached the subject carefully. “About today… Hunter was upset about his mother.”

His expression turned to ice.

“Don’t mention her,” he hissed. “She’s done nothing but hurt us. What kind of woman abandons her child? I accepted that she’d never love me, but him? That’s unforgivable.”

His voice was raw, pain bleeding through.

Unrequited love. A familiar agony.

“Every call she ignores kills me,” he continued. “He’s perfect, and she doesn’t want him. I tried shielding him, but he knows now. And I—God, I hate her, but I can’t stop loving her.”

His words mirrored my own to Ethan. Regretting her means regretting Hunter.

“Just love him,” I said softly. “Make sure he never doubts he’s enough.”

He nodded, silent.

“Thank you, Sophia. For being there for us.”

“Always.”

He left with a sleeping Hunter and the food I’d saved.

Hours later, in bed, Hunter’s smile still haunted me.

There was something I was missing.

If only I could figure out why it unsettled me so much.