Chapter 151

"The doctor has finished bandaging Mr. Blackwood's wound. He's stable now, so I'll take my leave. Please convey my deepest gratitude to him. His act of saving my life is something I'll never forget. Also, Mr. Carter, when you have a moment, could you ask Mr. Blackwood if he would allow me to visit Aunt Grace's grave in the future?" Sophia said softly.

Nathan: "..."

"Aunt Grace will always be family to me. That's why I refused the large sum in the contract—I won't betray that bond," Sophia added firmly.

"I'll make sure to ask him," Nathan replied. "Miss Montgomery, the boss just had his wound dressed. Could you stay and look after him for a while?"

Sophia smiled faintly. "Mr. Blackwood is on the phone right now... with his fiancée, Isabella."

"He doesn't love her!" Nathan snapped bitterly.

Sophia: "..."

"Miss Montgomery, I've never seen the boss risk his life like that for anyone before," Nathan said, his gaze intense.

Sophia laughed lightly. "What does that change? Would Mr. Blackwood ever abandon his own child?"

He and Aunt Grace had suffered that pain firsthand. He would never let his child endure the same fate.

Besides, she was a woman carrying another man's child. Even if Ethan weren't engaged, would he ever want her?

Impossible.

And though she was poor, she had too much pride to accept a man who would abandon his own family.

"Mr. Carter, goodbye," she said decisively, turning away without another glance.

Nathan watched her leave, his heart heavy with regret.

Two women, both pregnant—yet the difference between Isabella and Sophia was staggering.

If only Sophia were the one carrying Ethan's child...

With a sigh, Nathan returned to tend to his boss.

Meanwhile, Sophia dragged her weary heart back to her rented apartment.

She needed to pack. To leave Harborview City as soon as possible. To sever all ties and never return to this place of heartbreak.

She spread the $100,000 Ethan had given her across the bed. Taking $10,000, she wrote Noah's name on an envelope—repayment for his kindness during her hospital stay. She barely knew him, but she refused to owe him anything.

Another $10,000 went into an envelope labeled Liam Sterling.

Though she had saved his life, it didn’t erase what she owed him. If she was leaving, she would leave clean.

That left $80,000.

Enough to visit her mother’s grave, uncover the truth behind her death, and then quietly wait for her child’s birth. With careful budgeting, it would last two years.

By then, her child would be a year old. She’d find work, save money, and one day repay Ethan in full.

By nightfall, everything was packed. Tomorrow, after settling her debts, she’d be gone.

But when she opened her door the next morning, Liam stood there, his face haggard, his eyes haunted.

Sophia remained calm. "Mr. Sterling, is there something you need?"

"Sophia..." Liam hesitated, his voice unsteady.

The man before her looked broken, as if he’d been through hell.

Sophia kept her tone light. "Just say what you came to say."

"I’m sorry," he whispered.

"You already apologized a week ago. It’s fine."

"Please... forgive me."

"I forgive you."

"Do you... still love me?" His voice was fragile.

Sophia lowered her gaze, then met his eyes. "I won’t lie to you, Mr. Sterling. I never loved you."

Liam flinched.

"Not once," she continued gently. "I was twelve when I became a burden to others. I learned early how to read people’s faces. For eight years in the Montgomery household, I barely ate. A leftover pastry from the maid felt like kindness. No one ever loved me."

She exhaled. "So when you first approached me with your charming words, when you escorted me to that wedding—I knew you were just another rich man playing games. I stayed cold because I couldn’t fight back. I could only endure."

Liam’s hands trembled.

"But then you were... kind. Even if it was just amusement to you, to me, it was warmth. A light in the dark. I clung to it. But I always knew you didn’t love me. That’s why I never fell for you. Only gratitude."

Her voice softened. "I didn’t expect you to take the game so far. I would’ve accepted being played with—but not played to death."

Liam’s tears fell. "I’m sorry, Sophia. Forgive me. I know you don’t love me. How could someone as strong as you ever love a fool like me? But I love you."

His voice cracked. "I fell for you the moment I saw you drive that knife into Vincent Holloway. I knew then you weren’t someone to be trifled with. But when I heard you were pregnant—God, I was furious! Who was it? Who took your heart before I could? I was jealous. That’s why I did something so unforgivable."