Chapter 439

"It's getting late. You should stay the night. We've prepared a guest room upstairs."

Sophia's fingers trembled slightly as she avoided Ethan Roscente's gaze. She clutched the hem of her shirt, her voice barely audible. "That's too much trouble..."

"Nonsense!" Dr. Xavier Heilbronn waved dismissively. "Margaret, show Miss Sophia to her room."

Margaret Lefèvre hurried over, and Sophia had no choice but to rise. As she passed Ethan, she quickened her pace as if fleeing some unseen danger.

The moment the door closed, Dr. Heilbronn struck Ethan's shin with his cane.

"You insolent brat! How dare you sit there after making her cry?"

Ethan's expression darkened. "I asked her to have my child. She refused."

"What exactly did you say?"

After hearing the retelling, Dr. Heilbronn's beard quivered with anger. "Using a child as leverage? How could you say such a thing?" The cane came down again with a sharp crack. "If I were Sophia, I'd pack my bags and run as far as I could!"

Ethan rubbed his numb leg, muttering under his breath, "No one asked you to be my mentor anyway..."

"Still talking back!"

Dr. Heilbronn panted with rage. Seeing his disciple's stubbornness, he sighed deeply. "A child should be the fruit of love, not a bargaining chip. Especially given your current relationship..." He glanced meaningfully upstairs. "She'll only think you're objectifying her."

"That's exactly what it is." Ethan smirked coldly. "If I weren't afraid she'd run, I'd never want a child in this lifetime."

"When you were a child—"

"Precisely because of that." Ethan cut him off abruptly, his eyes swirling with darkness. "Do you think someone like me deserves to be a father?"

Dr. Heilbronn shook his head. "Don't let the shadows of your past trap you. Look at Sophia—she grew up with her grandparents' love, yet she—"

"It's not the same." Ethan turned to the window where the moonlight was swallowed by dark clouds. "Some wounds never heal."

Downstairs, Sophia sat in the living room, lost in thought as she cradled a cup of tea.

"Dear child, are you still upset?" Dr. Heilbronn gently covered her trembling hands.

Sophia forced a weak smile. "I'm sorry you had to see that."

"That fool has no tact!" Dr. Heilbronn glared at Ethan, who stood rigid by the doorway. "Tools? How could he reduce something so sacred to—"

The teacup clinked softly. Sophia stared into the rippling liquid, her lashes casting shadows over her cheeks.

"There's no rush." Dr. Heilbronn patted her hand. "When you're certain this man is worthy of your lifetime, when you're sure he'll be a good father—then you can reconsider."