Chapter 23

Sophia Laurent had just settled into bed for an afternoon nap.

Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting dappled patterns across the sheets.

The sudden ringing of her phone shattered the quiet.

She fumbled blindly to answer, her voice thick with sleep. "Hello..."

Ethan Winston's icy tone pierced through the line. "Sophia, finally decided to call me?"

His words carried barely restrained fury.

She jolted awake.

Glancing at the caller ID to confirm it wasn't a dream, she replied calmly. "Wrong number."

The hospital diagnosis had rattled her enough to dial his number by mistake.

Ethan chuckled darkly, his voice dripping with lazy amusement. "Just say you want to see me."

Leather creaked as he shifted in his chair, fingers tapping the desk. "Dinner at our usual spot tonight?"

Sophia: "?"

She drew a sharp breath, her voice turning arctic. "Go to hell!"

She only wanted to discuss the child.

Yet he assumed she was reaching out.

Ethan stared at the disconnected call, his expression stormy.

The dial tone mocked him when he tried calling back—straight to voicemail.

Ethan: "..."

A low laugh escaped him.

Was this her way of demanding he grovel?

Lowell Entertainment Headquarters.

Richard Lowell marched straight to his office to prepare for the new film.

Victoria Lowell sought out Emily instead.

Emily had been inseparable from Nathan Lowell lately while preparing for their music variety show.

Victoria knew her way around the building well.

She often dropped by with homemade treats for her children.

The recording studio door stood slightly ajar in silence.

Victoria pushed it open.

"Who's there?" Nathan snapped, looking up.

His expression shifted upon recognizing her. "Mom?"

Victoria paused in the doorway, an odd feeling creeping over her.

For a split second when she entered, they'd seemed... too close.

Emily bounded over, looping an arm through hers. "Mom! You came to see us?"

Her sugary voice dispelled Victoria's unease.

Siblings working closely together was perfectly normal.

Victoria smiled. "How's the preparation going?"

Emily beamed. "Nathan wrote a new song. It'll blow everyone away."

Victoria patted her daughter's hand. "Your brother is talented, but don't overwork yourselves."

Emily nodded obediently. "We won't."

Nathan stood apart, his gaze troubled.

Something felt missing from his new composition.

He just couldn't pinpoint what.