#Chapter 34: A Boy’s Call

Lauren's POV The news was on in the background, the chatter of the anchors blending with the occasional giggle from Abigail as she colored on the living room floor. I had half an ear on the TV, more focused on sorting through the mountain of laundry I’d been ignoring for days. But then a familiar name caught my attention. “Sophia made waves at last night’s gala,” the anchor announced, her tone dripping with the kind of intrigue that only came with high-profile scandals. I froze, my hand hovering over a mismatched sock. On the screen, Sophia’s perfect smile gleamed under the harsh glare of paparazzi lights as she stood on some extravagant garden stage. “And in a surprising turn of events,” the anchor continued, “she introduced her stepson, Owen, as her and Alexander’s son, sparking speculation about the future of the Alpha family. Could wedding bellsfinally be on the horizon?” My stomach dropped. “Mommy, look!” Abigail said, holding up a crayon drawing of what looked like a