Chapter 4

Sophie had no sense of how much time had passed when she woke, pain tearing through her body.

“Water… someone…”

She used every ounce of strength, but the sound that came out was barely more than a weak, breathless whisper.

Just then, Clara’s muffled sobs drifted in from outside the door.

“I’m sorry… Daniel, this is all my fault…

“I remembered my blood type wrong. I almost got her killed… You should punish me… Whatever it is, I’ll accept it.”

Through the narrow gap in the door, Sophie caught sight of Daniel’s face—soft and tender, enough to melt anything in its path.

He reached out and gently touched Clara’s hair, his voice softer than Sophie had ever heard.

“It’s alright. Don’t blame yourself. Sophie’s fine, isn’t she? You meant well. I could never punish you.”

Something in Sophie’s chest twisted sharply.

Of course.

Even if she had nearly died, he wouldn’t let Clara be hurt, not even a little.

As if something amused him, Daniel let out a quiet chuckle. “If I have to punish you, then you can hold little Leo through his shots.”

Clara laughed.

“You’re terrible, Daniel. You know he’s attached to you! And he’s gotten so chubby. I can barely carry him anymore.”

With that, she looped her arm through his, the two of them leaving together, chatting and laughing as they went to take the baby for his vaccinations.

Sophie trembled where she lay, a wave of aching bitterness crashing over her, nearly swallowing her whole.

Leo was the name she chose.

She remembered leaning against Daniel’s chest, suggesting it softly. “If it’s a boy, let’s call him Leo. He would grow up brave, just like you. What do you think?”

Daniel had smiled then, gentle and warm. “Alright. And if it’s a girl, we’ll call her Lily. She would grow up to be just like you.”

And now, all she could do was watch as Clara walked away with her husband, holding her child, calling him by the name she gave him.

Each word cut deeper than any blade.

She didn’t know how long she lay there alone. Just as sleep began to pull her under again, the door suddenly opened.

Daniel froze for a second, then his face lit up. “Sophie! You’re finally awake!”

He helped her sit up, carefully holding her as he gave her water, checking her temperature.

Clara rushed in behind him, her face full of concern. “Are you feeling alright? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?”

She bent down as if to tuck the blanket around Sophie, all soft concern on the surface, but when she leaned close, her voice dropped to a whisper.

“If you tell Daniel I gave the wrong blood on purpose, you’ll regret it.”

A bitter smile touched Sophie’s lips.

Did Clara really think that if she spoke up, Daniel would believe her?

He had already handed her child over to Clara.

What wouldn’t he do for her?

Sophie knew better than to humiliate herself.

A sharp wail suddenly broke out from the hallway.

The aide rushed in, carrying a crying infant, his face strained. “Captain… Mrs. Hart… Ms. Bailey, sorry to interrupt. I can’t calm him down…”

Sophie’s heart clenched tight, tears spilling over before she could stop them.

That was her child…

Clara smiled as she took the baby and cradled him, gently soothing him.

Once his crying eased, she looked up at Sophie. “You haven’t seen my son yet, have you? Then again, we gave birth the same day, and yours didn’t make it. Why don’t you hold him? Just to see how it feels.”

Sophie instinctively nodded, then shook her head.

She didn’t dare.

Because if she held him once, she might never want to let go and try to take him back.

And she knew Daniel would never allow it.

Worse, he’d make her family pay the price.

As expected, Daniel frowned, displeasure written all over his face. “Clara, stop it. Sophie’s still injured. She can’t hold a baby.”

Clara ignored him, smiling as she pushed the baby toward Sophie.

“What’s there to be afraid of? I just want her to feel it…”

In the struggle, Clara suddenly let go.

The baby slipped from her arms and hit the floor, his cry piercing the room.

“Leo!”

Clara scooped him up, sobbing, then turned and grabbed Sophie by the collar, dragging her off the bed.

“If you have a problem, take it out on me! Why would you hurt my child?!”