Chapter 40

The phone rang persistently, piercing the silence of the bedroom.

Ethan Roscente grabbed his phone irritably, but his expression changed the moment he saw the caller ID.

He abruptly pushed Sophia Lowell away and strode toward the balcony with the phone.

Sophia collapsed onto the tangled sheets, her chest heaving. She glanced at the wall clock—3:30 AM.

Who else could make him this tense at this hour except Isabella Valentine?

A wave of nausea hit her. She staggered into the bathroom, retching over the toilet.

Cold tap water splashed her face. The woman in the mirror looked deathly pale.

How ironic. The man who had been entangled with her moments ago could leave for another woman in an instant.

Clutching her aching abdomen, she stepped out of the bathroom to meet Ethan's scrutinizing gaze.

"Sophia." His voice was low. "You're not pregnant, are you?"

Her nails dug into the doorframe.

"Don't be ridiculous." She scoffed. "Do you really think that's possible?"

Ethan narrowed his eyes. "True. I'd never give you the chance to carry my child."

Her heart felt like it had been sliced by a dull blade. She straightened her spine. "You saw the pregnancy test last time. It's just stomach problems. Save your fake concern."

"Good."

He buttoned his shirt with cold efficiency, tying his Windsor knot with practiced elegance. "I'll have someone send you medicine."

Sophia burrowed under the covers, turning her back to him.

Suddenly, his warm lips brushed against her protruding shoulder blade. "I'll be back."

She whirled around, eyes blazing. "You said this was a one-time thing!"

His thumb traced her swollen lips. "But your performance... left much to be desired."

"Ethan!"

A sharp pain shot through her abdomen. Tears welled up.

He was already dressed and walking out, slamming the door behind him.

The pain made Sophia curl into a ball. By the time her trembling fingers dialed emergency services, her pajamas were drenched in sweat.

In the ER, an elderly doctor frowned at the test results.

"No intercourse during early pregnancy—don't you know basic常识?" His pen tapped sharply on the clipboard. "You're gambling with your child's life!"

Sophia bit her lip hard.

"Now you cry?" The doctor removed his glasses. "Where's the father? We need his signature for this."

"He... won't come." Her voice was feather-light.

The doctor sighed and signed the admission form. "Young people these days..."

When the nurse brought the wheelchair, Sophia finally broke down. She cradled her abdomen protectively, as if shielding the unwanted life inside.