Chapter 56
The words weren’t an offer, just a cold order. Sophia’s eyes widened in shock, her hand instinctively flying to cradle her stomach as she eyed him with suspicion. “Who are you to decide what happens to this baby? You’ve messed with my life enough! Haven’t suffered through enough because of you?” Her voice rose with each question, maybe a little too loud. It must’ve irritated the wound on her tongue, because she trembled all over, her body wracked with small shudders.
Oliver scowled, his hand starting to reach out to her, but she flinched away. He pulled back, defeated, and spoke calmly. “You only have a month. You need a heart transplant. This baby..” He hesitated, then blurted, “You gotta get rid of it.”
Sophia clutched her belly and backed away a few steps, her voice rising with panic. “Absolutely not! Don’t even think about it! I won’t let you!” She’d already lost one child, a victim of schemes. She couldn’t stop feeling bad about it all the time. The memory of tearing the fetus from her body, the sight of her own flesh and blood on the cold table, was a nightmare she never wanted to relive. A heart transplant was a long shot anyway. Her Rh–negative blood was rare, and finding a matching living donor? That was like winning the lottery.
What if she got rid of the baby and then the transplant fell through? How would she face that? What would even be the point? If she was already dead inside, why drag herself through this earthly torture any longer?
Oliver stared at her fierce gaze, his eyes narrowing. “You’d throw your own life away for that scum’s spawn? You’re out of your mind.”
Sophia couldn’t deal with him anymore. She turned away, her eyes drifting to the night sky outside the window. This child wasn’t about Jason. It was about the unbearable pain of losing a daughter once, a pain that made the thought of going through it again terrifying, Even if she was going to die, she wanted this child to have a chance, a chance she wouldn’t deny them with her own hands.
Oliver saw her resolve and scoffed, but didn’t push it. He turned to leave. “Stay here and rest for a few days. Jason won’t find you anytime
soon.”
Sophia pressed her lips together, a mask of sorrow on her face. A flicker of despair and helplessness glinted in her eyes. She knew she should get away from this man, but the thought of George’s watchful eyes and Jason’s ruthless grip kept her quiet. Right now, she was too weak to be on her own.
As Oliver reached for the door, she gritted her teeth through the pain and forced out, “I’m not Jason’s weakness. He doesn’t care about me. I’m just his punching bag. Please, don’t use me anymore.”
Oliver froze, his eyes catching the raw pain on her face. A pang of guilt shot through him. After a heavy silence, he let out a defeated sigh. “I messed up. You won’t be a pawn in my game anymore. Get some rest.”
Sophia watched his cold back disappear, then slowly lifted her head, blinking back tears. As long as she was alive, she had to stay hidden, stay quiet, just to beg them for a sliver of mercy, a little less suffering. What else was there left for her in this world?
Death seemed like the only escape.
Over the next two days, Sophia recuperated in the secluded estate. Jason had thrown everything he had at linding her, turning the city upside down, but came up empty–handed. However, Aaron’s investigation into George and Sophia’s past abroad yielded some results. Back in his office, Jason skimmed through the documents from Eindlo, his face darkening with every line he read.