Chapter 35

Alexander's eyes flicked toward the bathroom door.

Sophia piped up, "Mom's showering in there."

"Hmm." His gaze lingered. "Did you ask her to use our shower?"

"No. She brought her own clothes."

Alexander didn't press further. After a brief exchange, he simply told Sophia to get some rest before walking away.

Inside the bathroom, Isabella heard muffled voices but couldn't make out the words. The medicine had knocked Sophia out quickly. By the time Isabella finished showering, the girl was already curled up asleep.

She slipped into bed beside her daughter.

Sophia immediately burrowed into her arms, nuzzling against her shoulder. "You smell like vanilla," she murmured sleepily. "And you're so warm."

No one hugged like Isabella did—not even Victoria. But Sophia knew better than to mention that name around her mother.

Exhaustion claimed them both quickly.

Isabella slept fitfully. Sophia had always been a restless sleeper when sick, constantly kicking off the blankets. Like clockwork, Isabella woke every few hours to tuck her back in.

Dawn found her staring out the window, watching Alexander's familiar morning jog routine below.

After freshening up, she headed downstairs to cook breakfast. Thirty minutes later, she handed the kitchen over to Margaret. Confirming Sophia's fever hadn't spiked overnight, she grabbed her purse and keys.

The front door clicked shut just as Sophia stirred awake. "Where's Mommy?"

"Mrs. Whitmore had to step out," Margaret said.

Sophia's face fell.

"But she made your favorite pancakes before leaving."

That brightened the girl instantly. Though still recovering, her appetite had returned with a vengeance. She practically skipped downstairs.

Alexander entered the kitchen moments later. His eyes swept the room. "Where's Isabella?"

"She left earlier."

He accepted this with a curt nod.

Meanwhile, Isabella scarfed down toast at her apartment while packing her work bag. The doorbell interrupted her.

The security monitor showed Abigail Winslow and her daughter Charlotte waiting outside.

"Ms. Sinclair!" Abigail wrung her hands. "My mother-in-law's been rushed to hospital. Could you possibly take Charlotte to school?"

Isabella agreed—the kindergarten was on her way to work anyway.

Twenty minutes later, as she hunted for parking near the school gates, three familiar figures came into view.

Sophia bounced between Alexander and Victoria Kensington, clutching the woman's hand like it was a lifeline. Alexander walked protectively beside them, shielding them from passing cars.

Charlotte gasped. "Ms. Sinclair! Look, it's Sophia!"

Isabella's grip tightened on the steering wheel. "I see."

"Is that pretty lady Sophia's other mommy?" Charlotte asked innocently. "Does she have two mommies?"