The next morning, Sophia was sipping black coffee in her office when her father barged in with fury in his eyes.
"You let that doctor play father to your son?" he snapped.
Sophia didn't flinch. "Ethan is his son."
"You think this is about blood?" he barked. "It's about reputation. Influence. This scandal could ruin us."
She stood, her voice dangerously low. "My life is not your company's PR game."
Before he could answer, her assistant knocked.
"Mr. Sebastian Wren is here. He says it's urgent."
Her father smirked. "Now, that's a man who knows what legacy means."
Sophia stepped out into the hallway where Sebastian was waiting with a lawyer.
"I came to warn you," he said. "Your ex-husband may be filing for joint custody."
Her heart dropped. "What?"
"He has no legal standing yet. But if he fights… the court might consider giving him partial rights. Especially since the child already called him 'Dad'—in public."
Sophia clenched her fists.
Sebastian stepped closer, lowering his voice. "You need protection. From him. From the media. From chaos."
"And what's your price?" she asked coldly.
He smiled. "Marry me. For real this time. I'll protect your image… and keep custody of Ethan in your hands."
Sophia stared at him, heart torn between control and love, between safety and truth.
And for the first time, she realized—
She might lose everything… to the man she was still in love with.