"Stop!"


    Reese burst into the hospital room, snatching the thermos away the moment she saw what was happening.


    "I told you, this soup wasn''t for you."


    Sebastian was standing next to the bed. When he heard Reese''s voice, he turned around. "You''re just in time. Let''s talk outside."


    Reese wasn''t sure what he was up to, but she set the thermos down and followed him out into the hallway.


    "So? What do you want to say?"


    Sebastian leaned against the wall, his profile sharp against the light. "After what Millie said the other day, things got messy at the research institute. I managed to calm everyone down, but Sofia still can''t let it go. If you have Millie apologize to Sofia, I''ll drop it."


    Reese gave a dry, almost mocking smile, as if she''d just heard a joke. "Sebastian, you can''t keep shielding her forever. She''s always been..."


    "Reese."


    He cut her off, his eyes turning cold. "Watch what you say."


    Reese''s expression darkened. "Millie''s never going to apologize. She''s just blunt, and honestly, she wasn''t wrong..."


    She hadn''t even finished when the sudden sound of retching erupted from inside the room.


    Sebastian spun around and rushed back in. Reese stepped aside and looked in after him.


    Sofia was bent over on the bed, gripping the nightstand, dry heaving miserably.


    Robbie was at the trash can, dumping out the soup. "Mom did it on purpose. Her soup is disgusting. Now Auntie''s sick!"


    Sebastian hurried to Sofia''s side, gently patting her back with one hand and grabbing some tissues with the other to wipe her mouth. He didn''t forget to tell Robbie to get some warm water.


    "Are you okay?" Robbie handed her the cup after putting down the thermos.


    Sofia waved him off, but still took a sip of water from his hand. "I''m fine. The soup was just a little bitter. Made me nauseous."


    The sight made something twist in Reese''s chest.


    SShe''d handled everything for Sebastian and Robbie, washing their clothes, cooking their favorite meals, taking care of every little thing.


    But not once had either of them asked if she was tired. Not once had they said thank you. Not once had they appreciated her.


    Turns out, they could care for someone else. They could worry, be gentle, show kindness-just never for her.


    "I told you already. The soup wasn''t for you."


    Reese frowned at the thermos, now half empty.


    She snapped the lid shut, and as her gaze drifted to the trash can, she froze for a moment. Right on top was the file folder Brady had brought that morning-never even opened.


    So, divorcing Sebastian wasn''t going to be that easy.


    "I''ve got things to do. I''m leaving."


    Sebastian was crouched down, tying off the trash bag, not even looking at her. "Take Robbie home."


    Robbie pouted unhappily. He wanted to stay with Auntie, to get closer to her. But when he remembered Auntie had gotten sick because he convinced her to drink the soup, he didn''t argue.


    Reese nced at the father and son and felt a wave of bitterness.


    "I can''t take him with me."


    She turned and walked out without looking back.


    Sebastian watched her leave, his expression growing darker.


    Her face had been calm—almost too calm. Not angry, just distant. Cold enough toward him and their son that it didn''t feel like her at all. The softness she always showed was gone.


    The realization unsettled him in a way he couldn''t exin.


    Reese left the room, her hand gripping the cold stair rail as she headed upstairs.


    Passing the obstetrics clinic, she caught sight of something at the end of the hallway and stopped short.


    Zach was half-holding Tara as they walked together. He always seemed soid- back, but right now his face was tense-except when he looked at Tara, and then he softened just a little.


    Tara was tucked safely in his arms, wearing a cream dress and a gentle, happy smile. One hand rested lightly on her belly, fingers absently stroking it.


    Reese stood there, watching them from across the hallway through the flow of people.


    After a long moment, she lowered her eyes, letting hershes hide the mess of emotions inside. Then she turned and walked away.


    Back in her hospital room, Reese couldn''t get the unopened file folder out of her mind. She picked up her phone and called herwyer.


    "George, I want to file for divorce."


    George sounded surprised. "Of course, but just so you know, the division of property probably won''t work in your favor. You haven''t worked these past years, and you might not get custody of your child."


    Reese didn''t hesitate. "I''m not fighting for custody. But I''ll fight for every cent of what I''m owed."


    "I have some documents. Can you review them for me?"


    After hanging up, Reese forwarded the documents from the hospital-the proof


    that Sebastian had used her as a surrogate.


    George called back almost immediately.


    "Ms. Meyer, is all of this true?"