Chapter 139

When Sophia regained consciousness, she was being wheeled into the operating room on a gurney. Her fingers trembled as she clutched the doctor’s sleeve.

"Please… no anesthesia," she whispered, her voice raw.

The doctor frowned. "Miss Montgomery—"

"I'm pregnant. This baby… is all I have left. Please." Tears streaked down her pale cheeks. "I can endure it."

Noah Whitmore, standing nearby, clenched his jaw but said nothing.

The doctor hesitated. "The pain will be excruciating."

Sophia met his gaze without flinching. "I don’t care."

With a reluctant nod, the doctor signaled the nurses to proceed.

For over an hour, agonized screams echoed from the operating room. When the doors finally opened, Sophia lay drenched in sweat, her face ashen.

Noah was waiting.

"Thank you, Mr. Whitmore," she murmured weakly. "You don’t have to stay."

His expression darkened. "You just had surgery—without anesthesia—and you're carrying a child. You can’t be left alone."

Sophia’s exhausted eyes flickered with suspicion. "What do you want from me?"

Noah’s throat tightened. "Nothing. I’m not like him."

He arranged for a private nurse and visited daily. Against all odds, Sophia healed quickly—her resilience defying medical expectations.

Three days later, Liam Sterling appeared at her bedside, guilt etched across his face.

"Sophia… I’m sorry."

She turned her head toward the window. "Did they catch the shooter?"

"Yes. Vincent Holloway hired him. Twenty million to kill me." Liam exhaled shakily. "If you hadn’t shielded me—"

"I owed you," she said flatly.

Liam reached for her hand. "Forgive me."

"I don’t blame you."

"Then let me make it right. Let me take care of you—and your baby. I’ll treat them as my own."

Before Sophia could respond, the door burst open.

William Blackwood stormed in, flanked by his daughter-in-law and grandson Ethan.

"You conniving little wretch!" William snarled, jabbing a finger at Sophia. "First my grandson Ethan, now Liam? You think you can leech off our family?"

Sophia’s knuckles whitened against the sheets. "I never pursued either of them. I saved Liam’s life."

"Lies!" Liam’s mother shrieked. "You’re the reason Vincent Holloway targeted him! And you had the audacity to—"

"Get out." Sophia pressed the call button. "Now."

A nurse rushed in, glaring at the intruders. "This patient risked her life refusing anesthesia to protect her child. If you can’t show decency, leave!"

Grudgingly, they retreated—all except Ethan.

Outside, he turned to Nathan Carter. "Investigate where Holloway took Sophia before my mother’s death. I want every detail."

Nathan hesitated. "Sir… I already did."

Ethan’s gaze sharpened.

"Holloway dragged her to a private room. She fought back… and castrated him."

A muscle twitched in Ethan’s jaw. "Drive to the Thornton estate."

Isabella Thornton nearly dropped her teacup when Ethan arrived.

"Ethan!" She flushed, smoothing her dress. "I’m feeling much better now."

In truth, her health was deteriorating—but she’d die before admitting it.

Ethan’s question was perfunctory. "How’s the pregnancy?"

"Perfect." She beamed. "Are we… choosing wedding dresses today?"

He didn’t answer.

Isabella’s smile faltered. Something in his eyes had changed.

And for the first time, fear prickled down her spine.