The Silent Womb's Revenge

Chapter 11

In the corner of the photo, Sophia Williams stood quietly, her cold gaze observing everything.

Ethan Sullivan’s heart sank.

She had seen it all. The carefully constructed lie he had woven now lay shattered.

He had thought he could deceive her. Victoria Taylor was nothing more than a stand-in—chosen only because her features vaguely resembled Sophia’s.

Memories flooded back. The details he had deliberately ignored now burned painfully clear.

When had she found out? During that dinner at the Sullivan estate? Or even earlier?

How much pain had she endured all this time?

He had sworn to protect her for the rest of her life.

His eyes burned, vision blurring.

Their first child—lost at seven months. A miscarriage caused by the herbal tonic Margaret Sullivan had sent.

Sophia hadn’t wanted to drink it, but he had coaxed her into it, eager to please his mother.

When the baby was gone, Sophia had been devastated. Yet he hadn’t even had the courage to admit his mistake.

Four years. Six rounds of IVF. Each failure had been like a slow, agonizing cut.

The house had always reeked of bitter herbs, suffocating him.

Under his mother’s constant nagging, a despicable thought had taken root: Any child would do.

So when Margaret pushed Victoria into his life, he had accepted without resistance.

Victoria carried the vibrancy of youth, letting him momentarily forget his guilt. He had drowned in it, even planning to suggest adoption after Sophia’s next failed IVF attempt.

He had forgotten—Sophia had raised her younger brother alone since she was thirteen. She had never been one to endure suffering quietly.

Secrets never stayed buried.

"Ethan!" Margaret’s shrill voice snapped him back to reality. "Make Sophia cooperate with a video statement to clear this up. Victoria will stay out of sight until the scandal blows over."

"Why should she?"

"It’s her fault she couldn’t—"

"It’s yours," Ethan cut in coldly.

"Tell Victoria to terminate the pregnancy."

"Have you lost your mind? She’s already—"

"Sophia is pregnant."

Margaret froze, then muttered, "Victoria’s baby is almost due. Besides, Sophia’s last miscarriage wasn’t entirely my fault. If she kept this pregnancy a secret, maybe—"

"Enough!" Ethan suddenly stiffened, remembering Sophia’s words: The doctor suggested trying a new medication.

What kind of medication had she switched to?

He rushed into the living room, frantically searching for the prescription bag—but the coffee table was empty. Hands shaking, he pulled up her medical records. The word "termination" stabbed at his vision.

She didn’t want the baby.

And she didn’t want him anymore.