Chapter118

Chapter118
Sophia

I was standing at my apartment window, watching raindrops trace winding paths down the glass, when I realized I was envying their freedom. My fingers automatically found the electronic monitor around my ankle—my constant companion and reminder of my current reality.

The thought of Lily lying in a hospital bed without me beside her was almost unbearable. My chest physically ached with the separation, like someone had hollowed out my insides.

"Fuck this whole situation," I whispered, pressing my forehead against the cool glass. Alex had been texting updates about her condition, but nothing could replace being there, holding her small hand, whispering reassurances that everything would be okay.

The doorbell's chime pulled me from my dark thoughts. I glanced at the small security screen beside the door and felt a surge of hope mixed with dread. Caroline stood outside, clutching her leather briefcase and wearing her determined court-day expression. My heart rate instantly doubled—Caroline never made unscheduled visits unless something significant had happened.

"Elizabeth," I called out, my voice steadier than I expected despite the storm raging inside me. "Caroline's here."

Elizabeth appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dishcloth. "I'll make some fresh coffee."

When I opened the door, Caroline stepped in quickly, her eyes immediately scanning my face. "Good news," she said without preamble. "I've secured special permission for you to visit Lily at St. Mary's."

My knees nearly buckled, and my vision blurred with sudden tears. "Really?" The word came out as a whisper, fragile as a butterfly wing. Holy shit, I might actually get to see my baby.

Caroline nodded, setting her briefcase on the coffee table. "Judge Cedric was surprisingly receptive, given the medical circumstances. You'll need to wear your monitor, of course, and Sage will accompany you the entire time."

I sank onto the sofa, relief washing over me in waves so powerful I had to close my eyes for a moment. My mind raced with images of Lily's face, her tiny fingers, the way her eyelashes fluttered when she slept. "Thank you," I managed, voice thick with emotion. "I can't tell you what this means. Jesus, I've been losing my goddamn mind here."

My phone buzzed. Alex's name appeared on the screen, sending another jolt of anxiety through me.

"It's Alex," I told Caroline as I answered, my hand trembling slightly. "Any news?"

"Good news," Alex's voice came through, sounding tired but relieved. "The blood clot has dissipated. They're keeping her for observation, but Dr. Robinson says she's responding well to treatment."

"Oh, thank God," I breathed, tears spilling freely now. I didn't even try to wipe them away. "Is she awake? Can I talk to her?" The desperate need to hear my daughter's voice clawed at my throat.

"She's been in and out of consciousness," Alex explained. "She asked for you earlier."

My heart clenched painfully. I imagined her small voice asking for me, confused and scared in that sterile hospital room.

"Caroline just got here," I said, fighting to keep my voice level. "She says I have permission to visit Lily at the hospital."

"That's great," Alex said, genuine warmth in his voice. "Blake is with her now. The hospital is limiting visitors to one at a time because of her condition."

I tensed at the mention of Blake's name, my jaw clenching so hard it hurt. The man who had divorced me while I was in a coma, threatened to take my daughter away, and yet was now playing the concerned father. What a fucking joke.

"Listen," Alex continued, oblivious to my silent rage, "I'm heading out with Blake, Leon, and James for drinks at The Pinnacle."

"What?" I couldn't hide my shock, temporarily distracted from my dark thoughts. "You're going drinking with them? After what happened at the hospital? Are you fucking kidding me?"

Alex chuckled. "Leon's idea. Said something about the 'first striker buys the round'. Since Blake threw the first punch, he's buying."

"You guys are unbelievable," I said, rolling my eyes even though he couldn't see me. My mind struggled to process this bizarre turn of events. "Blake punches you, and now you're going for whiskey together? "

"It's complicated," Alex replied. "But Leon thinks it might help defuse some tension."

"Leon never left college mentally, did he?" I said, half-joking but genuinely baffled by this male dynamic that seemed completely alien to me.

"He still keeps a beer funnel in his penthouse," Alex confirmed. "Anyway, I'll update you if anything changes with Lily."

After we hung up, I looked at Caroline and Sage, who had arrived quietly during my call. "Apparently the men are all going out for drinks together. Blake, Alex, Leon, and James—like some bizarre boys' club meeting. Blake literally gave Alex a black eye, and now they're going to drink whiskey and what... braid each other's hair?"

Sage's eyebrows shot up. "They just had a fistfight in a hospital, and now they're getting drinks? I've been in this job fifteen years, and men still surprise me."

"I'll never understand men. That's the truth," I said, shaking my head. "If another woman gave me a black eye, the last thing I'd do is take her out for cocktails. I'd be filing restraining orders and plotting revenge." The absurdity of it all made me want to laugh and scream simultaneously.

Caroline tapped her pen against her notepad. "This could actually work in our favor. If Alex and Blake are seen socializing, it contradicts any claim that there's animosity preventing co-parenting."

I frowned, my legal mind kicking in despite my emotional turmoil. "But won't it violate my bail conditions? I'm not supposed to have contact with Blake, even indirectly. The last thing I need is to get thrown in jail because these idiots decided to play nice over bourbon."

"Don't worry," Caroline reassured me. "I can easily argue that these are separate social engagements between financial executives that have nothing to do with your case. " Her tone was dry, but her eyes held a gleam of strategic satisfaction.

"So, about my hospital visit," I said, eager to change the subject to what mattered most. My heart rate picked up again at the thought of seeing Lily. "When can I see Lily?"

Caroline laid out a folder containing official documents. "Tomorrow morning. You'll be under supervised conditions—Sage will accompany you the entire time. You'll wear the electronic monitor, of course, and there will be a security officer posted outside the room. You'll have one hour with Lily."

"Only an hour?" My voice cracked, and a fresh wave of anger washed over me. One fucking hour after days of separation? It felt like being offered a drop of water in the desert—both precious and cruelly insufficient.

"It's the best I could negotiate," Caroline said apologetically.

I nodded, swallowing hard, trying to be grateful for even this small mercy. "And Blake?" I couldn't keep the edge from my voice.

"He won't be there during your visit. We've coordinated schedules to ensure you don't cross paths, which is better for your case anyway."

Thank God for small favors, I thought. The idea of seeing Blake in that hospital hallway made my blood boil. I wasn't sure I could control myself—and another assault charge was the last thing I needed.

"I'm coming tonight too," Caroline added, gathering her papers. "I'll be meeting with Atticus Finch at The Pinnacle later. Might as well take advantage of this little boys' gathering to have an informal chat with Blake's lawyer."