The hospital room was lit only by the timid light of dawn, which slipped through the cracks in the curtains. Lucas slept deeply, an IV hanging from his thin arm, his breathing short and labored. Sophie sat beside the bed, her son's small hand resting between her own, as if she could shield him from all the world's invisible threats.
Brian sat in a chair across the room, his chin resting in his hands, elbows propped on his knees, his face drawn in worry and helplessness. From time to time, he looked up at Sophie, then at Emily, who moved about the room, straightening Lucas's blanket, checking the monitors, always finding something to do to keep her mind occupied.
Sometimes, Sophie sensed a degree of suspicion in Brian's gaze, as if he found it odd that she, being only Lucas's aunt, would worry so much, would give herself over to the child in this way. Even so, she couldn't help showing her maternal concern, even at the risk of endangering the farce she and Emily had sustained for so long.
Emily called her out into the hall for coffee while Brian asked for a cup but said he would stay right there.
"Sophie, look at me," Emily said quietly, leaning against the window ledge in the corridor, her eyes still on her sister. "Leave the hospital bill to me, I'll handle it, don't worry."
Sophie looked down, fighting back tears that never quite came.
"It wasn't supposed to be like this, Em… I brought a problem to you and Brian, but I never wanted to put this burden on you both. I swear, I never imagined…"
Emily cut her off gently, her voice both firm and kind.
"Don't say that. You didn't bring any problem. Lucas is as much mine as he is yours. I love him, Sophie. I really do. There is no sacrifice too great when you love someone that much."
For a moment, Sophie wanted to break down and cry for real, but she held back, afraid Brian might show up. Emily moved closer, her gaze steady and insistent.
"Now promise me you won't do anything crazy. You're not going to accept that absurd proposal from that Alex Whatever. I don't want to see you getting hurt again, or putting yourself at risk. Promise me?"
Sophie nodded slowly, her voice thin, almost inaudible.
"I promise."
Emily smiled, but it was a brief smile, as if she knew promises like these are made more to soothe the listener than to guarantee anything about the future.
Night gave way to morning, and the city resumed its frenetic rhythm outside. Sophie spent the following hours at the hospital, hunched over Lucas, watching her son's restless sleep, listening to the monotonous beeping of the machines, the footsteps of nurses in the hallway, the coming and going of patients and visitors, talking with the doctors caring for her son… She did not sleep. When the sun returned and night once again pressed against the window, she felt a new weight in her chest, an urgency she couldn't name.
Emily left the research wing to see her, bringing coffee and a croissant, and tried to get Sophie to eat, but she refused. Brian was scheduled to depart that weekend, but he was uncertain about leaving with his son so sick, which only added to Sophie's guilt—for that responsibility should have been hers alone.
When Emily ended her shift and went to stay with Lucas in the room, Sophie said she would go home to get some rest. But as soon as she left the hospital and the movement died down, she opened her purse and took out Alex Grant's business card—a white card with golden letters, heavy, discreet, almost intimidating. She ran her fingers over his name, almost reverently.
She dialed the number on her phone, her hand shaking.
On the other end, a deep, somewhat husky voice answered impatiently, as if not expecting any important calls at that hour.
"Grant speaking."
For a moment, Sophie thought about hanging up. Instead, she took a deep breath, trying to steady her voice.
"Mr. Grant? This is Sophie from the yacht. Sophie Carter, do you remember me?"
There was a brief silence. Alex's tone changed immediately, the formality melting away, replaced by unexpected warmth, almost relief.
"Sophie! I'm glad to hear your voice. I didn't expect you to… Is everything all right? Did you think about what we discussed that day?"
Sophie closed her eyes, feeling the weight of what she was about to do.
"I did think about it. And… I called to say I accept your proposal. I hate doing this over the phone, but… my son is in the hospital and I couldn't schedule a meeting with you…"
In the next moment, she felt the sting of doubt, but did not allow her voice to tremble. Lucas's name hovered, both promise and sentence, over every decision. It was for him, and it would always be for him.
Alex's response came without hesitation, filled with gratitude.
"Great, Sophie. We're going to help each other, all right? You help me get back at Veronica, and I'll help you take care of your son."
Sophie accepted, resigned, but she knew: some pacts change us forever, even if all we have left is the courage not to look back.