On the day Sophie was due to deliver, the Aldridge Estate was a whirlwind of activity. Harold had made sure a top-notch team was on standby to whisk Sophie off to the city hospital. She was treated like a VIP, surrounded and protected on all sides. Even though they''d


    practiced this routine countless times, the real deal brought its own set of jitters.


    The date of the delivery was set in stone, so Sophie stayed alert, simply following the doctor''s orders once they got to the hospital. She took a deep breath, nced at the operating table, and let her eyes drift shut. At first, she could pick up the faint sounds around her, but soon, exhaustion took over, and she slipped into sleep.


    In her dreams, she found herself once again in that idyllic ce. The garden at Aldridge Estate was just as she remembered it from years ago. Sophie ambled over to the swing set, gave it a gentle push, and heard her parents calling her from afar, "Sophie, you silly girl,e here and meet Mr. Aldridge and Aunt Holly." Her parents waved her over, and she beamed.


    This time was different. Sophie was aware she was dreaming and remembered everything. She looked up at the study window on the second floor, where the white curtains swayed lightly. Gordon was there, leaning against the window frame, lost in a book. Catching Sophie''s gaze, he looked up and smiled gently, his eyes as warm as a hug.


    "Harold," Sophie murmured, calling her brother softly. He seemed to hear her and smiled. The dream started to fade, and as she came to, the beeping of machines in the operating room filled her ears. Then, the newborn''s cry rang out, bringing her a profound sense of relief.


    Outside, Colby was restless, pacing


    back and forth. Odie, watching him, couldn''t help but feel annoyed. "Can you stop pacing? Aren''t the best


    doctors here? Why is it taking s


    long? Elodie chimed in, "It''s only been an hour. Not many doctors can handle such a delicate surgery, and they wouldn''t let Mr. Colby in, right?"


    Griffin added calmly, "With his intense vibe, seeing Sophie in


    surgery would have made him anxious. No one would dare let him in." Harold nced at his phone, then the red light above the operating room, and told Colby, "I


    ove


    need to take a call."


    "Now? Isn''t the surgery almost done?" Sand asked, confused. Harold had been glued to his phone, waiting for something. "It''spany stuff. you guys hold tight." Harold was clearly fibbing, but no one caught on. Except for Elodie


    Elodie tapped Griffin''s shoulder and said, "I''m heading to the restroom, be back soon." "Okay," Griffin nodded, staying put obediently. Meanwhile, Harold ended his call, turning to find Elodie standing right there.


    Harold frowned, and Elodie said, "Rx, I''m not here to give you away." With her hands tucked behind her, she added, "I knew he wouldn''t die." "How do you know?"