97| A Mother's Confession

Ethan woke up from a restless nap in the waiting room.

He almost wished he hadn't.

The dream he'd been having about Sophie had been so vivid, so full of life, it felt cruel to wake up and remember the reality.

It was the only way he could see her as she used to be, untouched by the hospital walls and the machines that now surrounded her.

Another week had passed. Another long, unbearable week.

His body felt heavy as he pushed himself up, stretching out the stiffness in his back. He needed air. Or maybe just something—anything—to break the cycle of waiting.

Eventually, he found himself in the hospital cafeteria. The food wasn't anything special, but the soft hum of chatter and clinking utensils was oddly comforting.

As he stepped inside, his gaze landed on his mother.

Evelyn sat alone at a small table, nursing a cup of coffee.

Her fingers curled tightly around the mug, as if it might anchor her in place.

She looked tired.

Not in the way she usually did—not the kind of tired that could be covered with expensive concealer and a perfectly tailored dress.

This was different.

This was the exhaustion of long nights and heavy thoughts.

Ethan hesitated.

He'd noticed her spending more time with Lily and Martha, chatting softly, planning little things for when Sophie woke up.

It was one of the few times she seemed genuinely at ease.

But now, seeing her alone, looking smaller somehow, he decided to join her.

As he approached, Evelyn looked up.

Her face softened with a small smile as he pulled out a chair beside her.

Adjusting to this new dynamic with his mother hadn't been easy.

Their relationship had changed in ways he was still trying to understand.

He loved her—he always had—but he'd spent so much of his life believing she didn't feel the same.

There were times when he thought she hated him.

Or worse—

Didn't feel anything for him at all.

Evelyn was the first to speak.

"Are you still upset with me?"

Her voice was soft, careful, as if she already knew the answer.

Ethan leaned back, running a hand over his face.

He didn't need to ask what she meant.

After learning about the condition she'd set for him to inherit the company, he hadn't known how to feel.

"I just don't understand why you'd do that, Mom." His voice was quiet, steady. "After everything he's done... you still stayed."

Evelyn lowered her gaze, her hands tightening around the coffee cup.

"I felt bad for him," she admitted, her voice tinged with guilt.

She took a slow breath.

"After everything with Sophie, I was ready to leave him. I was going to. But then... he had the stroke. And I couldn't walk away after that."

Ethan's chest tightened.

She hesitated, her voice softening even more.

"I stayed, Ethan. But only on the condition that you got what you deserved. I couldn't leave without knowing you'd have a chance to live your own life."

Ethan swallowed hard.

The frustration he'd been carrying battled with a new wave of sadness.

"You shouldn't have had to sacrifice yourself for me."

He shook his head, his hands curling into fists on the table. "You deserve more than that."

Evelyn gave a small, bittersweet smile.

"I know how horrible he was. But he doesn't have much time left."

Her voice wavered, just slightly.

But she pressed on.

"I don't want you to carry the burden of his mistakes, Ethan. I want you to live your life. To be happy. That's all I've ever wanted."

Ethan looked away.

A lump formed in his throat, making it hard to respond.

He hadn't even begun to process the reality of his father's failing health.

How was he supposed to feel about a man who had caused so much pain?

He didn't know.

But he did know one thing—

He couldn't stand by Robert's side.

Not after everything.

But if his mother wanted to stay—

If this was what she needed—

Then he would let her be.

"Mom... I feel like I ruined Sophie's life. Her family's life."

His voice was barely above a whisper, but the weight behind it was suffocating.

His shoulders slumped, his guilt spilling out before he could stop it.

"They don't blame me, but... I do."

His voice cracked, his hands clenching into fists.

"If I wasn't in her life, maybe this wouldn't have happened."

The words sat heavy between them, his voice rough, strained.

His hands curled into fists on the table, his shoulders slumping under the weight of the thought he'd been trying to ignore for weeks.

"Maybe she'd be okay. Maybe none of this would've happened."

Evelyn didn't hesitate.

She reached across the table, taking his hand in hers.

"Then put the blame on me."

Ethan frowned, confused by the sudden words.

"What are you talking about?"

She hesitated.

Her fingers tightened around his, like she was bracing herself for what came next.

"I wasn't a good mother, Ethan. But I wanted to make it up to you. That's why..." She took a breath, her voice steady yet filled with quiet remorse. "I arranged for you to marry Sophie."

Ethan's breath caught.

"You... what?" His voice was hoarse, disbelieving. "How?"

A flicker of sadness crossed Evelyn's face, but she didn't look away.

"I saw the photo, Ethan. The one you kept of her from high school. You hid it so carefully, like it was the most precious thing you owned."

His chest constricted.

"I realized then that you cared for her... that you loved her."

Ethan felt like the ground beneath him was shifting.

Ethan sat there, stunned.

She knew.

She had always known.

"I meddled, I know," Evelyn admitted, guilt thick in her voice.

"But when your father started pushing for a marriage, I saw an opportunity. I convinced him to consider Sophie. I thought... maybe this was my chance to give you something good. To make up for all the times I failed you."

"Mom..." Ethan whispered, his voice breaking.

Evelyn's expression softened, her eyes glistening. "I didn't want you to end up in a loveless marriage like mine."

Her voice wavered, but she pressed on.

"And when I met Sophie, I knew she was special. I see why you love her. She's kind. Strong. And she loves you, Ethan."

She let out a small, trembling breath.

"I knew I made the right choice."

Ethan was silent for a long time.

Her confession settled over him like a heavy weight—one that felt both painful and freeing.

"I always wondered how it happened," he admitted finally.

His throat felt tight, raw.

"I hated that her family's debt was used against her. But... I'm glad she's my wife."

His voice cracked.

"Mom... I love her. I always have."

The words poured out, unguarded.

"But I'm scared. I'm so scared I'll lose her. That I'll never get the chance to tell her how much she means to me."

His voice faltered, barely a whisper.

"I don't know what I'll do if she doesn't wake up."

Evelyn stood, moving around the table until she was beside him. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around him, holding him like she should have all those years ago.

"Don't say that, Ethan." Her voice was soft yet fierce. "Sophie's a fighter. She'll come back to you. I know she will."

And for the first time in weeks in someone's presence, Ethan let himself break completely, his fear and love spilling out in quiet, shuddering sobs against his mother's shoulder.

Then—

The cafeteria doors burst open.

Lily rushed inside, breathless, flushed, wide-eyed.

"Ethan—she's awake!"

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