Chapter 15
Ethan was buried in work at the office when his phone buzzed–it was a call from Mrs. Carson.
“Sir, it’s Lucas… He’s burning up. It’s already at 103.1. We’re really worried it might get worse…”
Ethan’s brows snapped together. “Did you call the doctor?”
“Yes, but Miss Bennett said there was no rush. She… she left for a party.”
“What?” His voice sharpened with disbelief. “I’m on my way. Get the family doctor to look at him right away.”
He raced through the storm and burst into Sterling Place, soaked and breathless. Lucas was lying in bed, cheeks flushed scarlet, his little body trembling,
The family doctor was administering IV fluids, face grim.
“This is serious,” Ethan said hoarsely.
“Mr. Caldwell, he’s had this high fever for over four hours. Any longer, and we’re talking the risk of pneumonia,” the doctor said in a low voice. “His immune system’s always been fragile. He should’ve been treated much earlier.”
A tightness squeezed Ethan’s chest.
Back when Emily was here, she could sense when the kids were even slightly off. She never needed a thermometer to know they had a fever. Somehow, she just knew.
“Where’s Sophia? Why isn’t she here?”
Mrs. Carson hesitated, then answered carefully. “Miss Bennett said it was just a mild cold. She left for Mrs. Langley’s birthday gala… said it wouldn’t look good to cancel.”
Ethan pulled out his phone and called her.
It rang for a long time before she picked up. Music and laughter spilled through the line.
“Ethan?” Sophia’s voice was light, tipsy, carefree–completely unconcerned.
“Lucas has a fever–nearly 104. Where the hell are you?”
“What? I’ll come home right away!” For the first time, Sophia’s tone faltered, shifting into panic. “I’m so sorry, Ethan–I thought it was just a little cold. I really didn’t know… I’m on my way!”
An hour later, she rushed into the house, still in her cocktail gown, every hair and detail flawless.
She dropped to her knees beside Ethan, eyes misty. “Ethan, I didn’t realize it was that bad… I swear.”
Ethan stared at her perfect makeup, the faint scent of champagne still clinging to her skin, and a wave of frustration surged in his chest.
But looking at the face he once couldn’t stop thinking about, his anger dulled. He exhaled slowly.
“Just… be more careful next time.”
By midnight, Lucas’s fever had finally begun to drop.
Ethan’s phone buzzed again–it was his assistant.
“Mr. Caldwell, we’ve got a crisis at company. We need your decision urgently.”
Ethan glanced at his sleeping son, hesitated for a second, then turned to Sophia.
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“Watch him for a bit. I’ll be back once I’ve handled this.”
Sophia nodded sweetly, her smile soft as ever. “Don’t worry. I’ve got him.”
Ethan rushed out–but when he reached his car, he realized he’d left his keys in the living room. He doubled back.
Grabbing the keys, he felt a sudden urge to check on Lucas, but as he approached the boy’s bedroom door, voices from inside stopped him in his tracks.
“You little brat,” Sophia’s voice hissed, sharp and venomous. “You ruined my night! Do you know how hard it was to get into that party?”
“I–I’m sorry, Miss Bennett,” Lucas whimpered. “I didn’t mean to…”
“You listen to me,” she snapped. “You better stop playing the victim in front of your dad. One wrong word, and you’ll regret it.”
Chapter 15
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Chapter 15
“I–I won’t say anything… I promise… Please don’t hit me…”
“Hmph. At least you’re not completely stupid. Just like your bitch of a mother-”
The door slammed open with a deafening crash.
Sophia whipped around, startled. Her face turned chalk–white the moment she met Ethan’s eyes–fury burning through them.
“E–Ethan… I–let me explain. It’s not what you think-”
He strode forward without a word and slapped her across the face.
Sophia staggered into the wall, her perfect bun falling loose, makeup smudged and running.
“I had no idea this is what you were like behind my back.” His voice was ice. “You hit my son? Threaten him? What’s next–trying to call the shots
here??”
“Get. Out.”
Sophia clutched her cheek, tears streaking down her face. “Ethan, I just- I got overwhelmed, I didn’t mean it… I love those kids. I really do.”
“Love?” Ethan sneered. “That’s what you call this? Abuse and manipulation?”
He turned to Lucas, who was curled into a ball, his face still streaked with tears. Ethan’s heart clenched at the sight.
How blind had he been? How long had his kids been living like this?
“Dad…” Lucas’s voice was barely a whisper. He reached out weakly, panic in his eyes. “Don’t be mad… I’ll listen to Miss Bennett. I’ll be good. Please
don’t leave me…”
Ethan dropped to one knee, clutching his son’s small hand tightly. “No. You didn’t do anything wrong. I did.”
He turned to Sophia again. The disappointment in his eyes made her shrink back instinctively.
“I don’t even know who you are anymore.”
Sophia opened her mouth, but Ethan had already hit the call button.
“Security. Get this woman out of here. Immediately.”
Her sobs echoed down the hallway as she was escorted out.
Ethan sank down beside the bed.
Lucas tugged weakly at his sleeve, his voice trembling. “Dad… I miss Mom. Can you bring her back?”
Ethan’s throat tightened.
He saw, in his mind, the last look Emily gave him before she walked away–cold, heartbroken, final. He’d never forgotten.
“Daddy?” Lily had woken up at some point. She rubbed her eyes as she crossed the room. “I miss Mommy too. When is she coming back?”
Ethan pulled them both into his arms.
He had no answers.
Only a bitter ache that twisted deeper with every heartbeat.
