The Silent Womb's Revenge

Chapter 23

Ethan Sullivan stood in the airport terminal, his gaze scanning every figure dragging a suitcase behind them. His grip tightened around his phone, Sophia’s photo glowing on the screen.

"Excuse me, have you seen this woman?" He stopped an attendant, his voice hoarse.

The attendant shook her head. Ethan turned to the next passerby.

"Sophia!" His sudden shout drew startled glances from those nearby. No response.

He ran through the entire terminal, his dress shirt soaked with sweat. Finally, a flight attendant told him, "That young lady boarded her flight half an hour ago."

Ethan froze. Half an hour. He had missed her by half an hour.

"She saw you," the attendant added. "But she didn’t say anything."

The words cut like a knife. She had seen him—and chosen to walk away.

"Lover’s quarrel?" A middle-aged man clapped him on the shoulder. "Women soften with a little coaxing."

Ethan gave a bitter smile. His Sophia had long stopped falling for empty gestures.

"Thank you. She’s my wife," he murmured. "I’ll bring her home."

Meanwhile, Sophia’s plane had just landed. As her phone powered on, a trending notification flashed: #EthanSullivanChasesWifeAtAirport#

She swiped it away with a frown. Annoying. It was over—why did he have to make a spectacle of it?

At baggage claim, she glanced over her shoulder on impulse, then shook her head at her own foolishness. As if he’d be here.

For the next seven days, Sophia wandered the city alone. On the seventh morning, she found herself in the famous cherry blossom grove.

"Could you take a photo for me?" She turned to the person behind her without looking.

The moment she held out her phone, her breath caught.

Alexander Johnson stood there, that familiar half-smile playing on his lips. Instead of taking her phone, he raised the professional camera hanging around his neck.

The shutter clicked, capturing her stunned expression.

"I win," he said, lowering the camera, his gaze warm.

Sophia’s pulse skipped. He’d actually kept their silly bet in mind.

"My flight leaves this afternoon," she said quietly.

"Perfect." Alexander took her suitcase as if it were the most natural thing. "I’m due at my next destination too."

She didn’t stop him.

That evening, Ethan arrived in the city, exhausted but determined. He retraced Sophia’s steps from online clues, walking every path she might have taken.

At the cherry blossom grove, an elderly souvenir vendor told him, "That lovely young couple left not long ago."

Couple? Ethan’s chest tightened. He crouched, picking up a fallen petal from the ground.

Late that night, he sat alone on an airport bench. The steamed shrimp dumplings in his lap had gone cold, the wrappers sticking together. He chewed mechanically, tasting nothing.

His phone buzzed. A message from his mother: [Found Sophia’s new number.]

Ethan’s hands shook so badly he nearly dropped the phone. It took three tries to dial correctly.

"Sweetheart…" His voice broke the moment the call connected. "The dumplings… they’re ruined. I’ll get you fresh ones, okay?"

Silence stretched on the other end.