The Silent Womb's Revenge

Chapter 26

"I don't want to, because..."

"You're tainted."

Ethan Sullivan jolted awake from the nightmare, his pajamas soaked with cold sweat. Stumbling into the bathroom, he turned on the shower and scrubbed his skin raw.

"Not tainted... I'm not..." he muttered mechanically, his nails leaving red streaks across his flesh.

The man in the mirror had bloodshot eyes, his lips trembling. "Sophia, I’m clean now... See? I’m not tainted at all..."

Margaret Sullivan rushed to the door upon hearing the commotion but was met with resistance.

"Don’t come in," Ethan rasped. "Sophia wouldn’t like you here. I have to protect her things... I can’t make her angry again."

Margaret collapsed onto the hallway carpet, tears streaming down her face. "Ethan, watching you like this is worse than killing me... What will it take for you to stop punishing yourself?"

The water stopped. Ethan stepped out in a bathrobe, his gaze hollow.

"Mom, I need to see her."

"Even if she tells me to my face that she doesn’t want me anymore... I’ll accept it."

Margaret’s heart ached. What good would it do? It would only break him all over again.

"I’ll arrange it. But eat something first, please?"

At the mention of Sophia’s name, Ethan finally nodded.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world.

"Watch your step." Alexander Johnson extended a hand, steadying Sophia as she navigated the uneven cobblestone path of a foreign alley.

After a brief hesitation, she placed her hand in his.

It had been three weeks since they began traveling together. Their planned itinerary had been repeatedly derailed by Alexander’s surprises—he always knew where to find the most authentic restaurants or the most hidden scenic spots.

"We’re here." Alexander released her hand and pushed open the door to an unassuming little shop. "You’ll love their fruit wine."

Three glasses later, Sophia’s cheeks were flushed. On their way back, Alexander took her hand again.

"Follow my footsteps."

Night had fallen as they walked side by side toward the hotel. Sophia suddenly stopped.

"Alexander, I’m thirty."

"What a coincidence—I’m thirty-two," he replied with a smile.

"What I mean is... you could find someone younger, prettier."

"But they wouldn’t be you."

Sophia took a deep breath. "I’ve had a miscarriage. The doctor said it might be hard for me to conceive again—"

Before she could finish, she was pulled into a warm embrace. Alexander rested his chin lightly atop her head.

"That’s all in the past," he said, his voice firm yet gentle. "What matters is now."

Sophia’s eyes stung. Then her phone buzzed—a message from Margaret.

[Please, Sophia. Just see Ethan one last time. He’s destroying himself...]