Chapter 13

Upon returning to the hospital room where Liam was supposed to wait for her, Julia couldn't help but stare at him with a growing sense of fear.

It wasn’t that she thought he had done something wrong; she was terrified of losing him. The thought of losing her son to the cold hands of death or to the cruel outside world was unbearable.

Sitting beside him, she reached out to gently caress his hair. A warm smile of relief spread across her lips as she gazed into his tender, innocent eyes.

“I’m sorry for leaving the room like that, Mommy. Please forgive me,” Liam pleaded in a soft, tender voice.

Julia scoffed softly as she embraced him, the two of them sitting together on the bed. She kissed his forehead, not bothering to explain that his apology wasn’t necessary. All she cared about was his safety—she just wanted him by her side, always.

“It’s fine, Liam... Mommy isn’t mad that you went out to have fun. I’m just happy you’re still with me. I was getting scared,” she said, watching as he pulled back from her embrace.

He noticed the tears in her eyes and didn’t hesitate to reach up and gently touch her cheeks. “I didn’t mean to scare you too, Mommy. Besides, I just wished I could get you a husband and give me a daddy,” he whispered softly, his hand falling limply from her face.

Julia felt a sting in her heart at his words. She knew all along that Liam wanted a father, but she never imagined he wanted one so badly.

That must be why he followed Caspian wherever he went, why he liked him so much. Or was it because he sensed the same connection she did?

“I promise to give you a daddy, okay? But for now, Liam, I think it’s best we stay on our own. We’re perfect staying alone,” she said, a smile still on her lips.

Liam nodded, looking at her before leaning back on the bed. Julia tucked him in, at least for the moment, until the nurse arrived to give him his evening dosage.

Standing up from the bed, she took a seat in the chair by the room, watching him. His words about wanting a father lingered in her thoughts. He wasn’t wrong to want a daddy, but she had had enough of men. If it wasn’t his father, she wasn’t sure she wanted to get involved in another complicated relationship.

A heavy sigh escaped her lips as she shut her eyes briefly, trying to calm her nerves. She was attempting to clear her mind, but then, she remembered Caspian.

The way he had looked at her back in the fields—it was odd. It was as if he had discovered some secret. She had been expecting him to ask questions, but when he didn’t, it left her curious.

“What exactly did you find out, Mr. Caspian?” she mumbled as she turned back to look at her son.

Lost in her thoughts, Julia hadn’t noticed how much time had passed until she glanced at the clock. It was past the time for Liam’s dosage, and the nurse still hadn’t arrived.

“Did they forget? I guess I need to go get her myself,” she muttered to herself, casting one last glance at Liam before leaving the room to find the nurse.

“Hello, my son is waiting for his evening dosage, and a nurse was supposed to come and take care of him,” Julia informed one of the nurses she found at the counter.

“We’ll send someone to the room right away. Sorry for the inconvenience,” the nurse replied politely, and Julia nodded.

As she turned around to head back to Liam’s room, she was met by the most annoying and unexpected person she knew.

“Well, well, if it isn’t the Steele’s ex-wife lurking around the hospital in search of something to ruin. How have you been, sis?” Amelia mocked, walking closer to Julia.

"I don't have time for your shenanigans, Amelia," Julia snapped, her patience wearing thin as she tried to sidestep her stepsister.

The tension between them crackled in the air. Julia's eyes were cold, and her posture stiff as she attempted to push past, but Amelia was quicker.

She stepped forward, deliberately blocking Julia's path with a smug smirk on her face.

"And where do you think you're going in such a hurry?" Amelia sneered, her voice dripping with disdain and contempt. "I'm not finished with you yet."

Julia's eyes narrowed, her temper flaring as she squared her shoulders, refusing to be intimidated. "Do I look like I care about anything you have to say?" she shot back, her voice laced with icy anger. "Move out of my way, Amelia. Now."

But Amelia didn't budge, her expression hardening as she stood her ground. It was clear that Julia's words were of no consequence to her; she was determined to provoke her stepsister no matter what it took.

“No, Julia... not when I’m not done!” Amelia snapped, folding her arms across her chest and glaring at her.

“Leave Logan Steele alone, Julia! He is mine!” Amelia warned, her demeanor making Julia laugh hysterically. “What’s so funny? Wasn’t I clear enough?”

Julia’s laughter faded into a scowl as she replied, “That’s not why I’m laughing. You were pretty clear, but coming from a mistress? It just sounds absurd!” she snarled, her tone vicious as she provoked Amelia.

“I am not a mistress, Julia!” Amelia retorted.

“Then what are you? His wife? Come on, we both know you forced your way into his pants, and he couldn’t resist because Logan is nothing but a weak man,” Julia uttered through gritted teeth.

“How dare you?” Amelia lifted her hand to hit Julia, but Julia caught it in place, her grip tightening as she leaned closer to Amelia’s face. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Amelia. Don’t tempt me!” Julia warned, the anger and disgust evident in her eyes.

Julia could see the fear in Amelia’s eyes, but it seemed Amelia was determined to cause trouble.

Releasing Amelia’s hand, Julia turned to walk away, but just a few steps away, Amelia’s next words cut through the tension in the hallway, sending a rush of cold down Julia’s spine.

“Too bad you haven’t found the father of that bastard you call a son! I did a good job putting you in that room, you know!” Amelia sneered.