Chapter 213

The hospital room smelled of antiseptic.

Ethan Roscente leaned over to tuck Theo Evans in, his voice deep and gentle. "Uncle's here, Theo. Don't be afraid."

The little boy's eyes were red, his small hand gripping Ethan's sleeve tightly. "Uncle, do you not like me anymore?"

"Of course not." Ethan ruffled his hair. "You're my favorite."

"Then when I get better, will you and Mommy take me to the amusement park?" Theo peeked at Sophia Evans standing by the window.

"Sure."

"You're the best!" Theo suddenly threw himself into Ethan's arms. "I wish you were my dad."

Ethan froze for a second. "I'll always care for you like a father would."

Sophia stepped forward, her tone apologetic. "Ethan, with the company so busy, you really didn’t have to—"

"It's fine." He cut her off. "I’ll arrange for someone to take care of Theo."

Sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting fragmented shadows across Sophia's face. She smiled softly as she stroked Theo’s cheek, but her eyes were cold.

"He keeps asking about his father lately..." She sighed. "Ethan, I don’t want adult matters affecting him."

Ethan didn’t respond. Instead, he picked up a storybook from the nightstand. "Which story do you want to hear, Theo?"

Meanwhile, in the hospital hallway, a reporter in a baseball cap whispered into his phone. "Got the evidence. Ethan Roscente and Sophia Evans in the pediatric ward..."

Three hours later, social media exploded.

#EthanRoscenteSophiaEvansHospitalMeeting

#SecretAffairConfirmed

#SophiaEvansPregnancyRumors

A series of photos showed Ethan holding a child, Sophia leaning against him. The most damning was a close-up of them embracing, with a red circle highlighting Sophia’s abdomen.

Comments flooded in:

"OMG! They secretly had a child together?"

"This screams shotgun wedding!"

"Look how naturally Ethan holds the kid—he’s definitely a dad!"

"Congrats, Sophia! Waiting for the official announcement!"

At the same time, an international flight had just landed.

Vivian Laurent unlocked her phone. A notification popped up: Roscente Group heir suspected of secret marriage and child with A-list actress...

Her finger hovered over the screen, unmoving.