Sophia Laurent's fingers lightly brushed her abdomen as her brows furrowed slightly.

She suddenly realized her period was over a week late.

The pregnancy test she'd bought last time still lay untouched in her drawer. She'd tested too early then, getting no result, and had dismissed it from her mind.

But now, the churning discomfort in her stomach made her heart skip a beat.

"Doctor, can I donate bone marrow if I'm pregnant?" Her voice tightened.

The doctor adjusted his glasses. "Absolutely not."

Sophia frowned. "Isn't it just extracting stem cells from blood?"

"It's not that simple." The doctor's tone turned grave. "You'd need injections of G-CSF before donation, followed by peripheral blood and bone marrow extraction—all under anesthesia. These procedures would harm fetal development."

Isabella Valentine suddenly appeared from around the corridor corner. "Sophia, did you get pregnant on purpose to avoid donating? After everything Grandpa did for you, have you no conscience?"

Sophia shot her a cold glance and walked straight to the OB-GYN department.

The urine test results came quickly.

Positive.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she clutched the report.

Images of Vincent Grandelle's critical condition flashed through her mind, and guilt surged like a tide.

"Let me see that!" Isabella snatched the report, her face paling instantly. "You're actually pregnant! How hypocritical!"

Sophia suddenly grabbed her collar, slamming her against the stair railing.

The three-story drop made Isabella's legs go weak.

"One more word, and you'll regret it," Sophia hissed, her voice icy.

At home, Sophia curled up on the sofa, lost in thought.

When Ethan Sullivan entered, he found her as still as a statue.

"What's wrong?" He gently wrapped his arms around her.

"I'm pregnant." Her voice was muffled.

Ethan's eyes lit up, but he quickly noticed her distress. "Because you can't donate marrow?"

"Yes."

He stroked her hair. "Isabella is his biological granddaughter. It's her responsibility."

"She's unreliable." Sophia buried her face in his chest.

Ethan kissed the top of her head. "Let's remarry."

"Once my mother's condition improves and we find the household register."

The next day, Theodore Valentine and his daughter arrived uninvited.

"Miss Laurent," Theodore said with a fake smile, sliding a check forward. "This million is for your health. You can have another child, but the old man can't wait."

Sophia stared at the check before suddenly laughing.

"How generous, Mr. Valentine." She picked it up and flung it back. "My accounts hold billions. Do I need your pocket change?"

Isabella tugged her father's sleeve. "Dad, talk some sense into her—"

The lock clicked.

Ethan and Vincent Laurent stepped in simultaneously.

"What are they doing here?" Ethan's gaze turned frosty.

Sophia smirked. "Offering two million for my child's life."

Ethan's expression darkened instantly. "Theodore, are you even human?"

"An unformed embryo isn't a life," Theodore argued stubbornly. "After everything the old man taught her, isn't it time to repay him?"

"And what about Isabella?" Ethan demanded sharply. "She's his real granddaughter!"

Theodore pulled his daughter behind him. "She's my only precious girl—"

Vincent suddenly stepped forward. "And my daughter isn't precious?" He pointed to the door. "Get out. Now."