Lucas Grant hadn't expected to run into Ethan Blackwood either.

"You seem remarkably at ease." Ethan's voice was cold, his gaze sharp. "As the child's biological father, you didn't donate bone marrow. Instead, you were out searching for a donor. It's... impressive."

Lucas's smile vanished instantly.

Ethan didn't wait for a response. He turned and walked away.

Lucas's shoulders slumped in defeat. He watched Ethan pause at the hospital entrance, seeming uncertain for a moment.

Eventually, Ethan handed an insulated food jar to a passing nurse. "Please give this to Sophia Reed."

The nurse accepted it with a nod. "Of course, Mr. Blackwood."

Ethan left without another word.

The nurse wheeled her cart toward Sophia's room and knocked softly.

"Come in." Sophia's voice was weak, but held a faint trace of hope.

She had thought it might be Ethan.

The nurse entered and placed the food jar on the bedside table. "Miss Reed, Mr. Blackwood asked me to bring this to you."

Sophia looked at the jar, the light in her eyes dying instantly. "Thank you," she said coldly, her previous weakness gone.

The nurse nodded politely and exited.

Sophia stared at the food jar with pure disgust. Her delicate features twisted in anger.

She yanked the lid off violently. The rich aroma of chicken soup filled the air.

Her stomach churned. Her face contorted in revulsion.

She slammed the jar onto the floor. Hot soup splattered across the pristine white sheets.

In a blind rage, she ripped out her IV. Her breathing became heavy and uncontrolled.

Dizziness washed over her from sitting up too fast.

She gripped the bed frame, taking deep breaths to steady herself.

She left her room, her steps shaky, her eyes empty.

She had believed Isabella's absence would fix everything with Ethan. Instead, things had only gotten worse.

She froze at the open doorway of another ward.

It was Hannah Lewis.

Sophia stormed inside. "Hannah!"

Leaning weakly against the hospital bed headboard, Hannah looked pale from her recent bone marrow donation.

Startled by the sudden intrusion, Hannah flinched. The apple she was holding dropped to the floor with a dull thud.

Pure hatred radiated from Sophia as she closed the distance. Every step was charged with menace.

Terror widened Hannah's eyes. She instinctively scrambled backward, cornered with no escape. Her hands clenched the blanket, knuckles turning white. Her eyes darted around anxiously. "Wh-what do you want?"

Sophia sneered down at her. "What do I want? Isn't it obvious? You took my money, and yet you have the audacity to come back?"

Sophia grabbed Hannah by the collar, pulling her close. Too weak to fight back, Hannah could only tremble.

"Miss Reed, I had no choice!" she exclaimed. "I couldn't afford to cross Mr. Blackwood! If I'd known you were going against him, I never would have agreed! I'll give back every penny you paid me!"