Chapter 213

At the same moment, Isabella spotted Sophia.

Six years had passed, and Isabella now dripped with jewels, exuding an air of obscene wealth.

She looked every inch the pampered socialite.

Sophia’s lips curled in a cold smirk. Fate has a cruel sense of humor.

Her gaze locked onto Isabella, sharp enough to draw blood.

If six years ago, when Sophia had been rotting in prison, her hatred for the Thornton family had been simmering—now, it was a raging inferno.

Isabella and the entire Thornton clan were her sworn enemies.

Unforgivable.

Isabella had committed the crimes, yet the Thorntons pinned everything on Sophia, throwing her to the wolves. Benjamin had tricked her into attending to a dying man—who turned out to be Ethan.

And the Thorntons?

They’d never breathed a word. Instead, they’d framed her again and again.

Because of them, she’d lost the chance to give her unborn child justice.

This hatred?

It was carved into her bones.

If she lived, she would make them pay.

The venom in Sophia’s stare sent Isabella stumbling back with a shriek. “M-Mother! A ghost! Grandfather—Grandfather, I saw a ghost!”

She scrambled into the hospital ward, her shrill cries echoing down the hall.

Grandfather?

Sophia frowned. Since when did Isabella have a grandfather?

But there was no time to dwell on it. She followed Ethan, clutching Lily’s small hand as they approached William Blackwood’s private suite.

The room was packed—faces she recognized, faces she didn’t.

And then there was Liam.

Six years had hardened him. The boyish stubble was gone, replaced by deep lines between his brows.

When their eyes met, Liam stiffened. Alarm flickered across his face, but with so many witnesses, he stayed silent—though his gaze kept darting back to her.

Meanwhile, the crowd parted for Ethan.

At the threshold, he handed Lily back to Sophia and entered alone.

Left standing awkwardly outside, Sophia tightened her grip on her daughter.

Liam seized the moment to approach. “Sophia, what the hell are you doing here? Run.”

She laughed coldly. “Oh? Is this another one of your games, Mr. Sterling?”

His shoulders slumped. “I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness. But Sophia—you shouldn’t have come back with him.”

Her smile turned brittle. “Ethan has my brother. He has my daughter. Tell me, what choice did I have?”

Liam’s breath hitched. “Your brother?”

“Noah Whitmore.”

“He’s—”

“Gone.” Sophia’s voice cracked. “Ethan shipped him and his family overseas. No word since.”

Liam recoiled, his gaze snapping toward the ward.

By now, the whispers had started.

“It’s her!”

“The master finally found her!”

“The bitch who ruined everything!”

“She’s dead now—no way the Blackwoods let her walk.”

“Serves her right! First the scandal, then wrecking Mr. Blackwood’s wedding—costing Miss Thornton her baby!”

“Watch. The Thorntons will skin her alive.”

Lily trembled, burying her face in Sophia’s legs.

Liam swallowed hard. “Your… child?”

“Not your concern.”

“She looks just like my cousin.”

Sophia’s laugh was ice.

Before Liam could respond, desperation clawed at her. “Liam. Please. Just—find out where Noah is. If they’re even alive. I’ll pay you. I’ll do anything.”

Every word tasted like ash.

But for Noah, she’d beg the devil himself.

Liam’s voice dropped. “You care that much?”

“He’s family.” Her eyes burned.

A beat. Then, quietly: “Fine. I’ll look into it.”

She didn’t thank him.

Just then, Ethan’s voice cut through the ward, summoning Liam inside. The spectators followed, but not before spitting at Sophia’s feet.

“Mommy,” Lily whispered, “they’re mean.”

Sophia knelt, smoothing her daughter’s hair. “It’s okay, sweetheart. Mommy’s here. Always.”

Always.

Even in death.

Ten minutes later, Ethan emerged—Isabella clinging to his arm like a leech.

“Ethan, darling, when’s our movie date? Oh—you look exhausted!”

He ignored her.

Undeterred, Isabella jabbed a manicured finger at Sophia. “Ethan, did you drag her back to execute her publicly? Don’t go easy on her!”

Ethan didn’t glance at her.

He simply took Lily’s hand and walked away.

Sophia followed.

Outside, she forced the question: “Where… do I stay?”

Ethan didn’t pause.

“With me.”