Sophia found herself enveloped in Ethan's tight embrace.

His body heat seeped through the thin fabric of his shirt, familiar and comforting.

She knew she should push him away, yet her fingers betrayed her, clutching fistfuls of his clothing.

The divorce papers still lay untouched in the drawer.

This embrace felt like their final farewell.

Neither spoke, their synchronized breaths the only sound in the room.

The jarring ringtone of a phone shattered the silence.

Ethan withdrew one arm to retrieve his phone.

Sophia glimpsed the name "Victor Sullivan" flashing on the screen.

"I'll take this outside," he murmured.

She nodded, watching his tall frame disappear through the doorway.

At the end of the corridor, Ethan answered the call.

"What is it?"

Victor's agitated voice crackled through the receiver. "Isabella's been in an accident. Get to the hospital now."

Ethan's laugh held no warmth. "Your memory fails you. She's Adrian's problem now."

"You—" Victor sputtered, "She was your girlfriend—"

"Ex-girlfriend," Ethan cut in, his voice glacial. "Perhaps you should ask whose child she claimed to be carrying."

A weighted pause followed.

"I'm sorry about Sophia," Victor abruptly changed subjects.

Ethan's grip tightened on the phone. "Spare me the hypocrisy."

"The baby...it's really gone?"

The words stabbed like a blade through his heart.

Ethan inhaled sharply. "Are you satisfied now?"

"Watch your tone!"

"Would the Valentines dare act without your silent approval?" Ethan terminated the call with finality.

Back in the hospital room, Sophia gazed absently at the swaying sycamore leaves outside her window.

Their restless movement mirrored her turbulent emotions.

When Ethan reentered, she schooled her features into neutrality.

"Business?" she asked with feigned calm.

He shook his head, settling beside her bed. "Nothing important."

She didn't press further.

An invisible wall of silence rose between them.

Meanwhile, outside the operating theater...

Victor paced like a caged animal.

Theodore Valentine seized his collar. "If anything happens to my daughter—"

"Calm down, Theodore," Victor attempted to pry the man's fingers loose.

"Calm?" Theodore's eyes burned with fury. "Where's Adrian? Drag that bastard here!"

Victor massaged his temples. "Their relationship was just a—"

"Bullshit!" Theodore roared. "Her heart belongs to Ethan!"

"But she's already—"

"I don't care!" Theodore interrupted. "You will answer for this!"

Victor's face darkened.

He fumbled for his cigarettes, only to remember the hospital's no-smoking policy.

With a snarl, he crushed the entire pack in his fist.