Sophia's fingers twisted the hem of her dress unconsciously.

Ethan's haggard face lingered in her mind.

How she wished she could be selfish just once—keep this baby.

But then Vincent's kind smile surfaced in her memory. The old man who taught her antique restoration, told her stories, loved her like his own granddaughter.

Now she knew—he was her real grandfather.

"I want to see my mother," she said abruptly.

Ethan frowned slightly. "Aunt Evelyn's condition—"

"I know." Sophia cut him off. "But I must see her."

Ethan gently stroked her hair. "Wait three months, okay? You're—"

"Three months?" Sophia gave a bitter laugh. "I can't wait that long."

She turned to the window. The sunlight stung her eyes.

"One more thing." Ethan handed her a glass of warm water. "The police confirmed you were switched at birth. Until they catch the culprit, you must be extra careful."

Sophia took the glass, warmth seeping into her fingertips.

"I want to see your mother," she said suddenly.

Audrey's bridal shop smelled faintly of perfume.

"You look terrible." Audrey handed her red date tea. "How's Old Mr. Grandelle?"

Sophia cradled the cup, steam clouding her vision.

"Isabella ran away." Her voice trembled. "He... doesn't have much time left."

Audrey slammed the table. "That ungrateful wretch!"

"But I'm pregnant." Sophia touched her abdomen lightly.

Audrey froze. "What did you say?"

"Vincent Grandelle is my grandfather." Sophia looked up, tears falling. "I'm Evelyn Grandelle's daughter."

The teacup slipped from Audrey's hand, shattering on the floor.

She pulled Sophia into a fierce embrace, shoulders shaking violently. "I knew it... I always knew..."

They held each other, weeping.

After a long while, Sophia wiped her tears. "Mom, should I save my grandfather or keep the baby?"

Audrey's fingers dug into the sofa cushions.

"When my father needed a kidney transplant..." Her voice grew distant. "I was pregnant..."

Sophia held her breath.

"Victor locked me up." Audrey's eyes turned hollow. "My father never got a donor... Then my mother..."

Suddenly she grasped Sophia's hands. "No matter what you choose, you'll regret it."

Sophia bowed deeply. "Thank you, Mom."

Night fell. When Ethan returned home, Sophia stood by the window.

She turned and threw herself into his arms.

"If it were you who needed marrow..." Her voice muffled against his chest. "I'd make the same choice."

Ethan's arms tightened around her.

"It's not that I don't love our child." Her tears soaked his shirt. "But he's my grandfather..."

Ethan rested his chin atop her head. "I understand."

"In the future..." Her voice shook. "If I can't—"

"I only want you," he interrupted.

The next morning, the hospital corridor felt icy.

Alexander's eyes were bloodshot. "That bitch Isabella!"

Ethan squeezed Sophia's cold hand.

When the stem cell stimulant entered her veins, Sophia clenched her teeth.

The first night, she curled into a ball from the pain.

Ethan stayed awake all night, wiping her sweat away repeatedly.

By the fifth day, her face had turned paper-white.

"We can begin now," the nurse said softly.

On the operating table, as the anesthesia needle pierced her spine, Sophia gripped the sheets desperately.

"Don't be afraid." Ethan kissed her forehead. "I'm here."

When the hollow needle entered her bone marrow, she heard something like bones cracking.

After the anesthesia wore off, waves of excruciating pain hit.

Through the haze of agony, one thought sustained Sophia: Grandfather will recover.

This conviction carried her through every second of soul-rending torment.