The sound of running water could be faintly heard through the phone.
Sophia’s breath hitched.
She forced her voice to stay calm.
“Rowan has a high fever that won’t go down. The diagnosis is acute bronchial pneumonia. He needs to be admitted for IV treatment.”
On the other end, Doris’s tone immediately sharpened.
“What? But Vincent said he was fine when he dropped him off this morning.”
Sophia frowned at the accusation in her voice.
“Miss Doris” she said coldly, “I should remind you that Rowan has a very delicate constitution. There are a lot of things he can’t eat.”
With that, she hung up.
Staring at the child on the hospital bed–his brows furrowed even in sleep–Sophia felt like her chest was on fire.
Her heart ached.
Burned.
A nurse came in to hook up the IV.
About ten minutes later, Rowan began to sweat.
The fever slowly eased.
Just then, the hospital room door opened.
Vincent and Doris walked in.
“Rowan!”
Doris rushed to the bedside.
Seeing Rowan asleep and hooked up to an IV, her eyes filled with tears.
She cupped his cheek, gently calling out, “Rowan?”
His eyes fluttered open.
“Mommy” he murmured weakly.
“I’m here,” Doris choked out, brushing his hair back.
“Mommy’s right here. Don’t be scared.”
“Don’t go,” he whispered.
“I won’t go,” she promised, tears streaming down her face.
Her voice trembled with emotion, like her world was collapsing.
Rowan closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep.
Doris sobbed quietly at his bedside.
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Chapter 21
Vincent stepped forward and handed her a handkerchief,
“He’s just asleep. Try not to worry too much.”
Doris took it–and turned to collapse into his arms.
“If only I hadn’t had a difficult labor.. maybe he wouldn’t be so
This is all my fault…”
“Don’t say that,” Vincent murmured, patting her back.
“If Rowan heard that, he’d be upset.”
He comforted her gently, patiently–like the perfect partner.
At the foot of the bed, Sophia stood silently. Watching.
A sharp pain spread through her chest, growing with every breath.
But her face was expressionless.
She turned and walked out of the room.
In the hallway, she nearly bumped into someone–Lillian, flanked by a maid, rushing toward the ward.
Sophia moved aside instinctively. But Lillian didn’t slow.
Slap.
A loud, crisp sound cracked through the quiet corridor.
Sophia’s head jerked sideways.
A metallic taste bloomed in her mouth.
“I knew it!” Lillian snapped.
“A stepmother will never compare to a real mother! If anything happens to Rowan, I’ll make sure you pay for it!”
Clutching her cheek, Sophia looked up, eyes burning.
Vincent and Doris emerged from the room, having heard the commotion.
Vincent’s brows furrowed.
“Mom–what are you doing?”
“What am I doing?” Lillian sneered.
“I’m teaching that woman a lesson! If David hadn’t called me, I wouldn’t have even known she let Rowan get so sick!”
David was Doris’s older brother–and a doctor.
Doris quickly stepped in, holding Lillian’s arm.
“Lillian, please calm down. What exactly did my brother say? Maybe it’s a misunderstanding. Sophia’s always treated Rowan with love. She wouldn’t
hurt him.”
“Don’t be fooled by her, Doris!” Lillian snapped.
“Rowan’s too young to understand, but you’re his mother! You have to stay alert! She’s dangerous–just like her mother, that murderer!”
Doris froze.
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She turned to Sophia, eyes wide with disbelief.
Miss Sophia. Is that… true?”
Sophia laughed. Bitterly.
She didn’t bother answering Doris.
Instead, she looked directly at Lillian and lowered her hand from her cheek.
“I suggest you ask your son how Rowan got sick before pointing fingers.”
Her voice was icy.
“And as for my mother–she acted in self defense. That’s not the same as being a murderer. If you can’t tell the difference, ask your son to explain the law to you.”
Sophia’s tone sharpened.
“You’re a matriarch of a prestigious family. You should at least know basic legal definitions, or you’ll embarrass yourself in public.”
“You little-“Lillian trembled with fury.
“You’re openly defying your elders now?!”
Sophia sneered.
“You insulted me first. Don’t expect me to respect you when you’ve never shown me any.”
Doris tried to smooth things over.
“Miss Sophia…. Lillian only lashed out because she was worried. She’s our elder–we should be more understanding.”
Lillian beamed.
“Now this is what a well–raised young lady sounds like!”
Sophia thought it was laughable.
Utterly ridiculous.
Prejudice was a mountain no reasoning could move.
She turned her gaze to Vincent.
He stood silently, his expression unreadable.
When she looked at him, he looked back.
Their eyes met.
Hers were filled with disappointment.
His–unreadable.
She smiled.
It was cold. Bitter.
A smile tinged with blood from where Lillian had slapped her.
“I’ve already signed the divorce agreement,” she said quietly.
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Chapter 21
“Let me know when you’re free. We’ll go file the papers.”
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