Chapter 54

"I know, I absolutely won't!" Sophia replied calmly.

Without even glancing at Ethan, she strode straight toward the hospital room. She owed him nothing.

Yes, he had lent her 50,000 dollars, but she would repay every cent once their contract ended.

And though he had saved her from the kidnapper, it had only been for his mother's sake.

Since there was no debt between them, she refused to pretend devotion in front of him. Sophia only wanted to be herself—to give Victoria the warmth she deserved in her final days.

Outside, their expressions had been icy, their gazes sharp as blades. But the moment they stepped into Isabella’s ward, they transformed into the picture of a loving couple.

At the door, Ethan pulled Sophia into his arms. She melted against him, playing the role of the adoring fiancée perfectly as they entered together. Victoria’s face lit up with relief at the sight.

"Ethan, you must give me a grandchild soon," Victoria urged, her voice tender.

Before Ethan could respond, Sophia flashed a sweet smile. "Mom, you don’t even need to remind us. I want a baby just as much as you do. I track my temperature every morning, monitor my cycle—I’m doing everything possible." She lowered her lashes shyly. "But you know… these things can’t be rushed. It’s all in fate’s hands."

Her words were honeyed, her cheeks flushed with feigned bashfulness.

Victoria beamed, her frail face glowing with happiness.

"Ethan, don’t you think our baby will inherit Mom’s beauty?" Sophia tilted her head, blinking up at him with wide, innocent eyes.

For a moment, Ethan faltered, caught off guard.

"... "

Victoria chuckled. "Sophia, my son has always been a man of few words. His thoughts stay locked inside—asking him won’t get you an answer."

Ethan gave a faint, obligatory nod.

"Alright, you two." Victoria waved them off. "I’m overjoyed to see you today, but I know how busy you both are. Sophia has work, and Ethan has the company. Don’t waste your time here—go rest. If you want a baby, you need to take care of yourselves. Go on!"

"Mom, I’d like to stay a little longer," Sophia protested. The truth was, she’d rather endure Victoria’s company than be alone with Ethan.

"Nonsense. Go!" Victoria shooed them playfully.

Reluctantly, Sophia and Ethan bid her goodbye.

The moment they left the room, Sophia’s smile vanished. She stepped away from Ethan, her posture stiff with distance.

He was cold. She was indifferent.

When they reached Ethan’s car, Sophia didn’t pause—she kept walking straight toward the hospital exit. She had no intention of sharing a ride with him.

Ethan seized her arm. "If my mother sees us acting like this, the consequences will be on you."

Gritting her teeth, Sophia had no choice but to follow him.

The drive was silent, the air thick with tension. Even Christopher, Ethan’s ever-loyal assistant, didn’t dare utter a word.

Back at Ethan’s penthouse, Sophia spotted Isabella waiting at the entrance from afar.

Isabella’s eyes welled with tears as she looked at Ethan. "Mr. Blackwood… did I disturb you? I—I’m sorry. I just missed you so much. I only wanted to see you for a moment… then I’ll leave."

Her voice trembled with pitiful fragility.

Sophia didn’t spare her a glance. She strode past, heading straight for the elevator.

Ethan’s gaze turned glacial as he regarded Isabella. "You’ve seen me. Now go."