The antiseptic scent still lingered in the hospital corridor.

Sophia had just settled into the car when her phone buzzed. The caller ID showed "Mom."

"Sophia, I heard you went to the hospital?" Evelyn's voice carried tension through the line.

"Yeah, I started IVF." Her fingers absently traced the seatbelt.

A brief silence followed.

"You're still so young..."

"Asherman's syndrome," Sophia cut in. "The doctor said delaying would only make it worse."

Evelyn's sigh traveled through the receiver. "That must be painful."

"Like ripping off a bandage." Sophia watched the blur of scenery outside the window. "Better than waiting endlessly."

After hanging up, she turned to Ethan. "Let's go to my mom's place."

As the car entered the Laurent estate, Sophia noticed the roses blooming vibrantly in the garden.

Evelyn reclined on the chaise lounge in the master bedroom, her rounded belly prominent. She straightened slightly upon seeing Sophia.

"Five months along," she said, caressing her abdomen. "Finally stopped the morning sickness."

Sophia's gaze lingered on the gentle curve, a swirl of emotions tightening her chest.

"Actually..." Evelyn suddenly spoke. "I did IVF too."

Sophia's head snapped up.

"For Alexander." Evelyn's eyes grew distant. "Cord blood... just in case."

That "just in case" sent a jolt through Sophia. Suddenly, she understood her mother's years of silent dread had never truly ended.

"Mom..." Her voice cracked as she embraced Evelyn.

Evelyn patted her back. "Thank goodness you've both turned out so well."

Leaving the Laurent residence, Sophia remained lost in thought until the dull ache in her lower abdomen brought her back to the present at Moon Bay.

Curled on the sofa, she found herself inexplicably searching IVF information online.

"What are you reading?"

Ethan's voice above her nearly made her drop the phone.

"Nothing." She forced a smile. "Just thinking about baby names."

His eyebrow arched. "Haven't we decided already?"

The doorbell chimed.

Victor Sullivan stood at the threshold laden with packages, his gaze bypassing his son entirely to land on Sophia.

"Dad?" She rose in surprise.

"Heard about your hospital visit today." He produced a check from his suit pocket. "For supplements."

The string of zeros made Sophia instinctively look to Ethan.

"Take it," Ethan said dryly. "The old man's been waiting for this chance to show off."

Victor shot his son a glare before softening his expression for Sophia. "No pressure—boy or girl, we're happy."

The abrupt shift left Sophia momentarily stunned.

Even after Victor's departure, she remained wide-eyed.

"Was your father possessed?"

Ethan gave a humorless chuckle. "Same act he used on my mother."

Surveying the luxury health products by the entryway, Sophia found herself seeing her once-maddening father-in-law in a new, almost endearing light.