Vincent raised a brow, about to respond, hut Lillian had already jumped in.
“Signed already? Good!” she snapped. “Vincent, what are you waiting for? Go get those divorce papers finalized tomorrow!”
Doris turned to look at Vincent.
He didn’t speak
His brow furrowed tightly, and his gaze turned toward Doris.
That look–dark and unreadable–sent a shiver through her.
Suddenly, Doris’s knees buckled.
Her eyes rolled back.
She collapsed.
“Doris!” Lillian shrieked.
She lunged forward, but Vincent was faster–he caught Doris in his arms and rushed toward the ER.
His retreating figure blurred in Sophia’s vision.
Five years ago, on a snowy winter night, she had watched this same man walk toward her from the light–only to learn tonight… he was always meant to pass her by.
He never belonged to her.
She looked away.
Her lips pressed tightly together as she blinked back the tears.
Without another glance, she turned and walked off.
By the time Sophia returned to her studio, it was nearly dawn.
Exhausted, she barely managed to change before collapsing into bed.
She wasn’t sure how long she’d been asleep.
She woke to sharp knocking.
Her eyes flew open, breath catching, heart pounding.
The ceiling came into focus.
Just a dream.
She had dreamed of blood–so much blood–and the distant sound of a baby crying…
“Miss Sophia?” Betty’s voice rang from the hallway, growing more urgent.
“Are you awake?”
Sophia sat up slowly, head spinning.
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Chapter 22
“I’m coming.” she called hoarsely, staggering toward the door.
When she opened it. Betty looked visibly relieved.
“You scared me to death! It’s already ten and you didn’t come out. I thought something happened to you.”
Sophia usually woke early, like clockwork.
This was the first time she’d overslept.
“I’m fine.” Her voice was raspy.
Betty narrowed her eyes.
“You look awful. Are you sick?”
Sophia reached up–her forehead did feel warm.
Where’s Rowan?” Betty asked. “Wasn’t he here last night?”
“His fever wouldn’t go down.” Sophia said.
“Diagnosed with bronchial pneumonia. He’s hospitalized. His dad and grandma are with him now.”
“Oh no.” Betty frowned. “Wait… don’t tell me he passed it to you?”
Sophia blinked.
Betty grabbed her hand.
“Come on, no messing around. This flu season’s brutal. We’re going to the hospital.”
Sophia didn’t want to go, but… she was pregnant.
A soft sigh escaped her lips.
“Okay. Give me a minute to get changed.”
The hospital’s emergency lobby was packed.
Flu season. Even emergency appointments had long wait times.
Sophia hesitated, then called Karina.
Ten minutes later, Karina arrived and led her to her colleague, Dr. James.
James was a skilled physician and a friend of Karina’s.
After learning about Sophia’s pregnancy, he prescribed medicine safe for expectant mothers and advised her to rest and avoid the cold.
Afterward, Karina accompanied Sophia to the pharmacy window.
Just as Sophia turned around with her meds–she saw Vincent.
He was holding a prescription slip. His dark brows arched in surprise.
“Sick?” he asked.
Sophia hadn’t expected to run into him here.
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Chapter 22
She kept her voice even.
“Just a cold”
Vincent glanced at the pharmacy bag in her hand.
“You needed a doctor for a cold?”
Her breath caught.
Fingers clenched tighter around the bag.
He was noticing things now?
When she was sick before, he’d never once asked.
What was this supposed to mean?
They were getting divorced.
There was no need for him to keep up appearances.
She looked straight at him and said, “I’m free whenever. Let me know when you want to finalize the divorce.”
His brow furrowed again, just as a soft voice called from behind-
“Vincent, did you get the medicine?”
Doris.
Sophia’s expression stiffened.
Karina leaned in
“That’s Doris?”
Sophia nodded faintly.
Karina’s face darkened as she put it together.
She looked between the couple and then at Sophia, understanding dawning.
“They’re… together now?”
Sophia didn’t respond.
She didn’t have to.
Doris stepped closer, voice trembling, eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
“Miss Sophia…I’ve never done anything to hurt you. Please don’t turn your friends against me.”
Vincent’s eyes snapped to Sophia.
His expression turned stormy.
“Sophia,” he said.
“Apologize to Doris.”
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Queen’s Vendetta From Surrogate Bride to Billionaire Heir
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Chapter 23
Chapter 23
