Isabella Valentine lifted her bandaged hand, tears welling in her eyes. "Grandmother, my hand was crushed too. The doctors say it's a comminuted fracture that may never fully heal."

Eleanor Sullivan narrowed her eyes. "What a coincidence."

"My injury is in the exact same place as Sophia's." Isabella shot a meaningful glance toward Sophia. "The police believe it was deliberate retaliation."

Eleanor scoffed. "Why would anyone retaliate against you specifically?"

Isabella bit her lip, her voice trembling. "Perhaps... because I've been spending too much time with Ethan."

Sophia's fingertips trembled slightly, though a cold smile curved her lips.

The audacity of this blame-shifting was truly masterful.

Eleanor turned to Ethan. "Investigate that tomb raider's sister. Something about this doesn't add up."

Ethan nodded and stepped out of the hospital room with his phone.

Silence descended.

Eleanor fixed Isabella with an icy stare. "Was there something else?"

"I just wanted to see you." Isabella's eyes reddened. "Grandmother, you used to dote on me—"

Eleanor remained unmoved.

Suddenly, tears streamed down Isabella's face. "When Ethan had his accident three years ago, my mother forced me abroad. I cried every day. On his wedding day, I nearly jumped from a balcony—"

Her delicate weeping would have moved anyone's heart.

Eleanor's expression softened slightly. "That's in the past. But Ethan is married now. Your persistence is inappropriate."

"I'm not—" Isabella choked back a sob. "I just can't stop wanting to see him—"

Sophia abruptly stood and walked to Ethan as he reentered, linking her arm through his. "Darling, I've changed my mind about the divorce."

Ethan's gaze flickered.

Rising on her toes, Sophia whispered in his ear, "Play along."

Her eyes locked onto Isabella over Ethan's shoulder. The usually gentle woman now burned with defiance.

After a pause, Ethan murmured, "Alright."

Sophia's tense heart finally settled as she clasped his hand tightly.

Isabella stared at their intertwined fingers, fresh tears spilling over before she whirled and fled.

"I should check on her." Ethan frowned. "Her major depressive disorder is severe."

"I'm coming too." Sophia stubbornly followed.

Eleanor quickly mediated, "Go together."

In the hallway, Isabella stood trembling before the elevator, shoulders shaking with silent sobs.

Ethan approached swiftly, offering a handkerchief. "Don't cry."

Sophia watched from a distance, her heart twisting.

Isabella accepted the handkerchief, casting a timid glance at Sophia. "You should go back, Ethan. Sophia will be upset again." She touched her injured hand. "I don't want anything to happen to my right hand too..."

Sophia turned and walked away.

Staying any longer might have shattered her composure.

Back in the room, Sophia sat numbly on the bedside.

Eleanor took her hand. "Have a child soon, dear. Children are the strongest bonds in marriage."

Sophia's heart ached.

For two years, Ethan's leg injury prevented intimacy. Later, he'd always taken precautions...

Besides, was this crumbling marriage truly fit for bringing a child into?

Yet under the elderly woman's hopeful gaze, she forced a smile. "We'll try."

Eleanor beamed. "You're beautiful and brilliant—your child would be absolutely precious."

Sophia flushed. "You flatter me too much, Grandmother."

"Not at all." Eleanor reminisced, "Three years ago when selecting Ethan's bride, I visited every prestigious university. When I saw your profile—" She paused, smiling fondly. "It was as if you were tailor-made for our family."

Sophia lowered her lashes.

Tailor-made?

Only because she resembled the woman standing before her now.