Chapter 4

Sophia had been lying in the ICU for a full seven days. During that time, the hospital issued countless critical condition notices. Her mind drifted in and out—a constant cycle, like waves crashing and retreating. By the afternoon of the seventh day, her thoughts finally began to clear a little. That strong smell of disinfectant... the soft beeping and whirring of machines—this had to be a hospital. She was still alive. But the baby? Was the baby okay? She tried to lift her hand toward her belly, but before she could make a move, the sound of leather shoes stepping against the floor echoed in the room. That steady rhythm matched the tone of his voice—calm and detached. "It's been seven days. If she doesn't wake up soon, you all can pack up and leave." "But Mr. Bennett… Mrs. Bennett is still pregnant. Some of these meds and devices really can't be used…" Sophia's hand weakly clenched the bedsheet. Every nerve in her body screamed in pain—raw, real pain. She was alive. And the baby, too… It must've been Lucas who brought her here. For a moment, she almost believed he cared, just a little. But the room went silent again. He didn't speak for a long time. Then the voice she'd heard a thousand times before finally spoke again. "Forget the baby. As long as she lives, she can always have another." Her hand loosened its grip. That sliver of hope she'd held onto? Gone—just like that. What a joke. Of course. Rebecca had already told her—Lucas agreed to divorce. But only after the child's blood type was confirmed so Eva could use it. He didn't love her. Didn't even care if the baby lived. Somehow, she found the strength to yank out the breathing tube, pulling out every tube stuck in her hands and feet, not caring what any of it was for. She stumbled out of bed, barely able to stay on her feet, leaning against the wall as she dragged herself toward the doorway. Just five meters felt like forever—she took three full minutes to make it. But she did it. Right in front of Lucas and the shocked doctors, she dropped to her knees and bowed her head hard—so hard the thud echoed."Lucas, as long as you don't hurt my baby, I'll do whatever it takes. I'll let you take my child's blood for Eva, I'll let you experiment—hell, even if I survive it, I'll let you treat me however you want. Hit me. Curse me. Kill me if you like. But the baby… the baby's innocent. Please, just let him go." All the anger was gone. Only desperation was left. Lucas clenched his fists, knuckles white, veins bulging under his skin, like they were about to burst. He'd sat by her hospital bed seven days straight, pouring in resources, calling in favors—and this was what he got? Did she seriously believe he could hurt his own kid? If not… it could only mean one thing. That child wasn't his. "A bitch only gives birth to another little bitch," Lucas sneered, using the toe of his shoe to lift Sophia's chin roughly. "Want to keep the brat? Entertain me. Maybe I'll consider it." "Mr. Bennett… Mrs. Bennett just woke up after a critical injury—" The doctor stepped in, trying to intervene out of basic decency—only to shrink back under Lucas's cold stare. "I'll do it," Sophia said quietly. Make him happy? What else was new? She'd spent three years doing just that. One more time wouldn't kill her. Lucas had promised—make him happy, and her baby would be spared. In the sterile white hospital room, Sophia knelt in front of him, dressed in a faded blue gown. Her skin was pale, her cheeks flushed. Hands trembling, she gritted her teeth and reached for his belt. "What, slept around with some random guy and now trying to act all pure in front of me?" The disgust in Lucas's voice cut like a knife. This was charity. If she couldn't give him that, then she shouldn't expect mercy. The zipper came down with a harsh rasp. Sophia's nostrils flared; it took her a moment before she could force herself to move closer. Just then, a large hand grabbed the back of her head. Pinned between the heat of his body and the brutal grip, she flinched, instinctively resisting—and that only pushed things further. Tears rolled down her cheeks. She had no choice but to go along with it. She didn't even know how long it lasted. But then, a phone call broke the moment. It was Mark. He said... Eva had stabilized. Her episodes had stopped. She was lucid again.