Chapter 111

Sophia straightened abruptly when someone bumped into her. Recognizing the elderly man before her, her expression turned icy. "Excuse me."

William Thornton scrutinized her with undisguised disgust, blocking her path with a sneer. "Last time we met, you looked like cheap street trash. Now you're just filthy gutter scum. Disgusting creature - who even are you?"

She had no patience for this superficially dignified yet venomous old man. Sidestepping him, she continued walking. His cane snapped up, barring her way again.

"What do you want?" Sophia's voice could freeze lava.

"Answer me!" he commanded with aristocratic arrogance.

Clenching her fists, she countered, "Do we know each other, sir?"

"Aren't you Ethan's rented wife? The whore he bought for two months to fulfill his dying mother's wish?" His words dripped with contempt.

"What business is that of yours?"

"None! But it concerns my grandson! You're using this arrangement to climb society's ladder and seduce Alexander! How dare you aim above your station! Listen carefully - as long as I live, you'll never get near him!"

Sophia's laugh was razor-sharp. "Old man, you listen! Your wealth could crush me ten times over - so what? You can't take it to the grave. If you're so worried, why not cage your precious grandson forever? As for me?" Her eyes flashed defiance. "I may be gutter trash to you, but you have no right to question me. Not even if I were fucking him right now!"

William's face purpled. "You... You'll regret this!"

Regret? Hadn't her entire life been one long wait for punishment?

Ethan had claimed her straight from prison. The Montgomerys had thrown her out. Then Alexander Kensington pursued her, followed by his cousin Charlotte.

A rootless woman fresh from jail, attracting powerful enemies?

What was one more threat? Back to prison? She'd survived worse.

Turning her back on the spluttering patriarch, Sophia marched toward the hospital wing - then froze.

William would be visiting Victoria too. She couldn't face them together. Leaning against the corridor wall, she waited.

Twenty minutes later, the Thornton entourage appeared - William, followed by smirking Charlotte.

Charlotte circled Sophia like a vulture. "Darling, your face looks like a circus clown's accident. Can't afford mirrors now? That hostess job I offered paid thousands in tips nightly. But no - you thought Ethan actually wanted you!" Her laugh was poison. "Turns out you're just a rented mourning whore."

Sophia's nails bit her palms. She just needed to see Victoria.

Then Alexander emerged from the elevators. His eyes darkened seeing Sophia's state. "Why... would you do this to yourself?"

"Mr. Kensington," she said tonelessly, "call security or walk away."

He exhaled sharply. "I know you're angry. When this... arrangement ends, I'll make proper arrangements for you."

As the Thorntons disappeared into Victoria's room, Sophia remained rooted. After twenty more minutes, anxiety gnawed at her - her lunch break was nearly over. Steeling herself, she approached the private suite.

Chaos greeted her.

Doctors swarmed the bed. William's voice boomed: "Victoria! It's Uncle William! You've suffered so much, child!"

"Aunt Victoria?" Alexander called desperately.

"Mrs. Blackwood?" Charlotte's saccharine tone followed.

And then - Ethan's shattered voice: "Mother... please..."

Sophia's heart stopped.

Ethan never missed work, even during Victoria's illness. His presence now meant...

It was happening.

How? Just last week, Victoria had been laughing, eating, vibrant. Now...?

Slumping against the wall, Sophia remembered their prison days - hauling rocks under the sun, Victoria teaching architecture during breaks. Those harsh yet precious moments of mutual survival.

Now, barely a month free, Victoria was leaving.

Tears carved paths through Sophia's grime as she curled into herself, weeping like the orphan she was.

Polished Oxfords appeared before her.

Through her tears, she looked up into Ethan Blackwood's stormy gaze.