Sophia's fingers tightened around her phone.

The doctor's voice continued from the other end, "Ms. Laurent, Mr. Grandelle's condition has—"

Ethan snatched the phone away, his gaze sharp. "Scam call?"

He ended the call without hesitation.

The phone rang again.

Ethan answered, his voice icy. "Harass my wife again, and we'll meet in court."

He snapped the phone shut.

A bitter smile tugged at Sophia's lips.

She recognized that doctor's voice—the same one who had told her she couldn't donate marrow due to her pregnancy.

For him to call now, despite knowing she was pregnant...

The situation must be dire.

"How could Isabella..." Sophia's voice trembled. "He's her own grandfather!"

Ethan squeezed her cold hand. "She discarded me, her childhood sweetheart, without a second thought. What makes you think she'd spare anyone else?"

Sophia's thoughts drifted away.

Vincent's kind smile flashed in her mind. Last year, he had proudly shown her off everywhere, teaching her everything he knew...

Just as warm as her grandfather Benjamin had been.

Seeing her distant expression, Ethan gently kissed her knuckles. "I'll go to the hospital first."

Sophia nodded mechanically, her hand instinctively cradling her stomach.

This baby had been so quiet, barely causing any morning sickness.

She could never forget the pain of losing her last child.

At the hospital, the attending physician was furious. "Isabella swore she'd take the mobilization drugs, then fled in the middle of the night!"

Ethan's brow furrowed. "What about the bone marrow registry?"

"Too late." The doctor shook his head. "Mr. Grandelle has at most seven days."

"What about Victoria?"

"She has hepatitis B."

"And Alexander?"

"He had leukemia as a child."

Ethan's fingers dug into his palm. "Sophia can't lose this baby."

"But Mr. Grandelle doesn't have that kind of time..."

Footsteps echoed from the end of the hallway.

Sophia approached swiftly with her bodyguards.

"I need tests done," she said directly.

Ethan's gaze dropped to her flat stomach. His Adam's apple bobbed, but he said nothing.

Bloodwork, ECG, full panel—every test was expedited.

In the dead of night, Sophia jolted awake from a nightmare.

She dreamed of Vincent's body covered by a white sheet, then of a cherubic child crying for its mother.

Ethan gently wiped the tear from her cheek. "Another nightmare?"

"What should I do..." Her voice cracked. "My mentor or my baby..."

Ethan tightened his arms around her. "We'll find Isabella."

But time was running out.

The next morning, the hospital reported Vincent had pulled out his IV in an attempt to end his life.

"He said he couldn't bear to burden you..." A nurse said with red-rimmed eyes.

Sophia's legs gave way. She braced against the wall to keep from collapsing.

The scene was painfully familiar—just like when her grandmother had sacrificed herself for her and Ethan...

"How long does the mobilization process take?" she heard herself ask.

"Seven days." The doctor sighed. "Mr. Grandelle... might not last that long."

Sophia's nails bit into her palms.

With trembling hands, she called Ethan. "I'm sorry..."

Silence stretched on the other end.

"I respect your decision." Ethan's voice was raw.

Just as the needle was about to pierce her skin, the hospital room door burst open.

"Stop!"