Sophia Carter stood at the hospital entrance, heels clicking against the marble floor. Her perfectly tailored blazer couldn't hide the storm inside her.
She didn't know what she feared more—seeing her son on a hospital bed… or seeing him.
A nurse led her through the corridors. Her heart pounded louder with every step. And then, as she turned the corner—
She froze.
There he was.
Dr. Adrian Blake.
Standing outside the recovery room, tall and confident in his scrubs, clipboard in hand. His presence hit her like a wave. The man she once called husband. The man she left behind.
He looked up—and their eyes met.
Time didn't stop, but her breath did.
Adrian blinked, confused for a moment… then narrowed his eyes. "You're the mother?"
Sophia stepped forward, voice calm but cold. "Yes. I'm Sophia Carter. Ethan's mother."
He scoffed. "Of course you are."
She didn't flinch. "How is he?"
"He's fine," he replied, clipped. "He had minor internal bleeding. He's stable now."
A pause.
Sophia folded her arms. "Thank you… Doctor."
Adrian stared at her. "You knew, didn't you?"
She looked away. "Not until after the divorce."
His voice lowered, sharp. "And you didn't tell me?"
"I had my reasons."
"Money?"
Her jaw tightened. "That's low. Even for you."
A heavy silence fell between them.
Then, Adrian turned away and said flatly, "You have a lot to explain, Sophia."
---
Back in the recovery room, Ethan slowly opened his eyes.
"Mommy?"
Sophia rushed in, kneeling beside him. "I'm here, baby."
Adrian stood by the door, watching the moment like an outsider.
But deep inside, a single truth bloomed like fire—
That boy… is my son.