Chapter 3 - THE WOMAN WHO ALWAYS CAME FIRST
Sophia called seventeen times that night.
Vincent ignored every call.
Finally, she arrived at the hospital.
She entered the waiting room wearing a cream-colored coat and carrying an expensive handbag.
“Vincent!”
He looked up.
She hurried toward him.
“Why haven't you answered?”
He stared.
Sophia stopped.
“What's wrong?”
“My wife nearly died.”
Her expression changed.
“I know, but—”
Vincent stood.
“But what?”
She hesitated.
“My ankle is still hurting.”
Silence.
Vincent looked at her.
For years, he'd rushed whenever Sophia called.
A flat tire.
A bad date.
A headache.
A broken bracelet.
A minor inconvenience.
He'd told himself he was protecting someone who'd been part of his life since childhood.
Now he saw something he'd refused to recognize.
Sophia had learned that his attention was hers to command.
And he'd allowed it.
“My daughter was born tonight,” he said.
Sophia blinked.
“Your daughter?”
“Yes.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“Claire was pregnant?”
Vincent nodded.
Sophia looked away.
Then said quietly:
“Well, that's inconvenient.”
Vincent went still.
“What did you say?”
She forced a smile.
“I only mean the timing.”
He stared at her.
His daughter was fighting to survive.
His wife was in intensive care.
And Sophia was thinking about inconvenience.
“Leave,” he said.
She blinked.
“Vincent?”
“Leave the hospital.”
Her expression hardened.
“You can't be serious.”
He stepped toward the door.
“I have never been more serious.”
May you like
For the first time, Sophia Reynolds discovered that Vincent Moretti could say no to her.
And she hated it.
