The hospital room was eerily silent.

Ethan's slender fingers brushed against Sophia's pale cheek. His voice was low. "Let's reconsider the divorce."

Sophia's lashes fluttered.

"I've thought about it for three days."

Her whisper cut through him like a knife.

His Adam's apple bobbed.

"I need a smoke."

Sophia nodded.

Ethan adjusted her blanket and dimmed the lights before leaving.

Grace approached down the hallway, carrying a thermos.

"Ethan, is Sophia awake?"

He strode past without answering.

Grace pushed open the door, confused.

"Sweetheart, why did Ethan look so upset?"

Sophia gazed at the night outside the window.

"I asked for a divorce."

Grace nearly dropped the thermos.

"Why now? What happened?"

Sophia raised her left hand.

The scar on her finger gleamed under the light.

"First, they ruined my hand. Then they tried to take my dignity. Third, they used my mentor to cause my miscarriage. And now..."

Her voice broke. "Jack is dead."

Grace's eyes reddened.

"Ethan will make them pay."

Sophia gave a bitter smile.

"What's the point?"

She touched her flat stomach. "My baby's gone. Jack won't come back."

Tears slid down silently.

Grace dabbed at them frantically.

"Don't cry. It'll hurt your eyes."

Sophia gripped her mother's hand.

"Mom, I'm afraid you'll be next."

Grace froze.

Then forced a smile. "I've lived through worse."

She hesitated. "But Ethan truly loves you."

Sophia kept staring outside.

"I know."

Her whisper was barely audible. "I'm just... tired."

Grace sighed deeply.

——

Below the hospital, Ethan stood in the icy wind.

The cigarette between his fingers remained unlit.

Footsteps approached rapidly.

Kyle appeared, disheveled from rushing.

"How is she?"

Ethan's gaze turned glacial.

"My wife is none of your concern."

Kyle grabbed his collar.

"I saved her life!"

Ethan's pupils constricted.

"So you finally admit it... Vincent."

Kyle released him, voice hoarse. "How badly is she hurt?"

"She lost the baby."

Ethan's words sounded distant.

Kyle staggered back.

An assistant hurried over.

"Mr. Sullivan, police confirmed it was a drunk driving accident."

Ethan smirked.

"Accident?"

He held out his hand. "Keys."

The assistant hesitated before complying.

Ethan strode to his car.

——

Isabella trembled when her phone rang.

"Ethan? It's so late—"

"Come outside."

He hung up and floored the accelerator.

——

Under the streetlamp, Isabella stood in a white blouse.

Her eyes widened in terror at the approaching headlights.

Ethan studied her face—so similar to Sophia's.

His grip tightened on the wheel.

With a sharp turn, the car roared toward her.