---
LIORA'S POV:
My heart hammered in my chest as the door swung open, and Ronan’s voice filled the room.
"Mum, we’re back!" he called out, his tone casual, almost cheerful. But it didn’t match the storm brewing inside me.
I froze, gripping the hand-bag in my hand like a lifeline. It was as if time itself slowed when I saw him step inside the room, followed closely by 'her'—Sophie.
My chest tightened painfully. 'Girlfriend?'
The word played over and over in my mind like a bad joke. I wasn’t prepared for this. I wasn’t prepared to see her 'here' with 'him'. For a moment, the hospital room faded, the voices around me muffled. All I could focus on was the woman standing next to him, her hand brushing his arm, her smile easy and bright.
Sophie.