Chapter 141

Adrian Valentine froze.

He looked down at the little girl in his arms, his heart inexplicably aching.

Those large, watery eyes reminded him of someone.

"Uncle, hold me," Sophia Roland stretched out her chubby little hands, tears falling like scattered pearls.

As if compelled by some unseen force, Adrian opened his arms.

Sophia immediately stopped crying and smiled.

Nathan Aldridge and Zachary Deross exchanged glances.

This child was usually so shy around strangers—why was she so attached to Adrian?

Zachary gritted his teeth in frustration. Did this ungrateful little thing not realize this man was the reason her mother was lying in the emergency room?

Nathan felt a pang of bitterness. Had all this time raising her still not been enough to break the pull of blood ties?

He shook his head sharply.

Sophia was the little princess of Sterling Manor. She had nothing to do with the Valentines!

Sophia yawned, snuggling into a comfortable position in Adrian's arms before drifting off to sleep.

Adrian gazed at her peaceful face, warmth flooding his chest.

The more he looked at her delicate features, the more she resembled...

He smirked self-deprecatingly.

He was never meant to have children of his own.

"Give her back to me!" Zachary growled in a hushed voice.

Adrian turned away. "She just fell asleep. Do you want to wake her?"

Nathan grabbed Zachary's arm before he could lunge forward. "Let him hold her."

It wasn’t like he’d get another chance.

Once Sophia turned three, she would begin specialized training. Even they would hardly get to see her then.

Zachary reluctantly retreated to the elevator, keeping a wary eye on Adrian.

The hallway was so quiet their breathing was audible.

The emergency room light was still on.

Adrian stared at the door, each second an agony.

Forty minutes later, it finally opened.

Gabrielle Flores strode out, scanning the area. "Where’s Sophia?"

Nathan shrank slightly and pointed at Adrian.

"Who are you?" Gabrielle snatched the child away.

Adrian stepped forward urgently. "How’s Evelyn?"

"None of your business," Gabrielle snapped, glaring at him.

Nathan quickly intervened. "Gabrielle, how’s the boss?"

"Lung injury. She’s stable now." Gabrielle shot Zachary a scathing look. "Can’t even protect one person properly!"

She grabbed the diaper bag, cradled the sleeping Sophia, and stormed off.