Sophia’s POV
I was stuck in a hospital bed, still weak and lightheaded. My arms ached from the blood loss, and even sitting up made the room tilt. But none of that came close to what I was really carrying.
Grief.
I had lost my child.
And while I lay there trying to breathe through it, the outside world kept moving without me.
Someone sent me a video. Damon at a gala, laughing like he didn’t have a care in the world. Natalie at his side, his hand resting on her waist like she belonged there.
Another clip came in later—him feeding her cake at a private dinner, leaning in close, making her laugh like she was the only person in the room.
He looked… happy.
Free.
Like I had never existed at all.
When I was discharged, I left alone. No driver. No escort. No message from him. Just a hospital bag in my hand and a quiet, humiliating truth settling in my chest.
I didn’t matter to them anymore.
I shouldn’t have gone back to the estate, but all my things were still there. So I had no choice.
That’s when I saw them.
Right outside the maternity wing.
Natalie looked glowing, like she owned the world. Damon stood beside her, hand resting on her back, casual and familiar.
A nurse walked past and smiled brightly. “Mr. Damon, your wife looks radiant today!”
My stomach twisted.
I didn’t correct her.
I didn’t have the energy to explain anything anymore.
I just turned away.
And then—
“Sophia.”
His voice stopped me cold.
Of course he saw me. Of course he always saw me when I was trying not to be seen.
I turned slowly, meeting his eyes across the polished hallway.
“I didn’t come looking for you,” I said flatly. “I was just discharged. I didn’t know you’d be here.”
Before he could respond, Natalie clung to his arm.
“Babe,” she said softly, tilting her head at him, “let her come with us. I feel bad for her… she gave me blood, remember?”
The way she said it—like I was doing her a favor—made something sharp twist in my chest.
Damon exhaled, then gave a small nod. “Fine.”
Just like that.
Like I was a decision on a schedule.
So I got in the car.
Not because I wanted to.
Because I had nowhere else to go for the moment.
The ride was silent at first.
Until Natalie shifted in her seat, glancing back at me with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
“Oh my God,” she said suddenly, almost amused. “I just realized… my underwear is still here.”
My head snapped slightly before I could stop myself.
She giggled.
“Can you believe that, babe?” she added, turning to Damon. “After everything we did in the backseat last week?”
Damon let out a low chuckle, eyes still on the road. “You were reckless.”
“Mmm,” she hummed. “You didn’t complain when you had me on your lap outside the estate. Or when I unzipped you during that drive to the border and kept you distracted the whole way.”
He smirked. “That’s because you make every trip better.”
“And the time you had to pull over because I wouldn’t stop—”
“Alright,” I cut in quietly.
My voice wasn’t loud. It didn’t need to be.
Silence fell for half a second.
Then Natalie only smiled wider, like she’d won something.
I looked out the window instead, forcing my breathing to stay steady.
With shaking fingers, I pulled out my phone and opened the email from Noah.
A flight confirmation.
Tonight. 9 PM.
My chest tightened—not with pain this time, but something almost like relief.
I typed quickly.
Thank you, Noah. I’m sorry I missed the last one.
His reply came almost instantly.
What happened? You can tell me.
My fingers paused.
I could tell him everything. He’d burn the world down for me if I asked.
But I didn’t want more blood in my name.
So I typed:
I’ll explain soon. I just need to get out first.
I stared at those words for a moment before sending them.
Because that was the only truth left that mattered.
I needed out.
Damon noticed the phone in my hands almost immediately.
“You’ve been on that thing the entire ride,” he said sharply. “Who are you talking to?”
“No one important,” I replied without looking at him. “Just reading.”
A beat.
Then the phone was suddenly pulled from my hands.
My body went still.
Not from fear.
From disbelief.
I turned to him slowly.
“Really?” I said, voice low. “We’re doing this now?”
“What’s the passcode?”
I let out a short laugh. “The date we met, Damon. You should remember it. You were charming for about five minutes back then.”
His jaw tightened as he tried it.
Once. Twice. Three times.
Locked.
Natalie leaned in with a soft laugh. “Just give it up, babe. She probably doesn’t even have anyone left to message.”
She looked at me and smiled sweetly.
Like I was already nothing.
