His expression hardened.
“She’s calling,” he said.
Emily already knew who he meant.
“Answer it.”
Ryan hesitated.
Then he pressed the call button.
“What is it?” he said.
A sharp female voice exploded through the phone.
“Ryan! Where are you? The caterer needs final confirmation!”
Ryan’s voice was calm.
“The wedding is canceled.”
Silence.
Then:
“What?”
“I know about the baby, Victoria.”
Emily felt the room go cold.
“You lied to me,” Ryan continued.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” the woman snapped.
“You intercepted Emily’s letter.”
More silence.
Then Victoria’s voice turned icy.
“You were never supposed to find out.”
Ryan’s face went pale.
“What did you just say?”
“You were finally moving on,” she said coldly. “Why ruin that for a child you didn’t even want?”
Ryan’s jaw clenched.
“I want her now.”
“You’re making a mistake.”
“No,” Ryan said quietly.
“I already made one.”
He ended the call.
The room stayed silent for several seconds.
Emily looked at him.
“So that’s over.”
Ryan nodded slowly.
“Yes.”
He looked at Lily one more time.
And something in his expression had completely changed.
Six months ago, Ryan Cole had chosen ambition over family.
But standing in that hospital room, watching his daughter breathe softly against Emily’s chest—
He realized something terrifying.
He had almost lost the most important thing in his life before he even knew it existed.
And this time…
He wasn’t going to walk away again.
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