Replacement Bride Left With His Baby (Sophia and Easton) novel Chapter 33

**The Case of the Bleeding Shadows by Emma Blackwood**

**Chapter 33**

Gordon blinked rapidly, convinced that his weary eyes were playing tricks on him. The exhaustion of the past few days weighed heavily on his eyelids, yet what he saw before him was undeniably real.

Before he could fully comprehend the unfolding scene, Easton had already pivoted and locked eyes with him. Caught off guard, Gordon hastily closed his mouth, a rush of embarrassment flooding his cheeks as he turned away, feigning disinterest.

Without so much as a word to acknowledge the stunned expression of his secretary, Easton strode purposefully from the room, the door clicking softly shut behind him, leaving a palpable silence in his wake.

Once settled back in the car, Easton reclined against the plush leather seat, his eyes fluttering shut as if to escape the world around him.

Gordon, picking up on the unspoken cue, fell into a thoughtful silence, bracing himself for the wait that lay ahead. The atmosphere inside the car was thick with unexpressed thoughts, each man lost in his own labyrinth of contemplation.

As the morning light streamed into the room, Sophia stirred awake, her mind still foggy from sleep. Disoriented, she realized she had shifted from the chair to the sofa, the soft cushions cradling her as she blinked away the remnants of slumber.

Sitting up slowly, her fingers brushed against an unfamiliar jacket draped over her shoulders. Curiosity piqued, she lifted the garment, studying it with a frown of confusion.

“Did Easton come by last night?” she mused to herself, her brow furrowing. “But I thought he was supposed to be in Cedarica for work.”

With a slight shake of her head, she dismissed the puzzling thought, carefully folding the jacket and placing it aside. She then made her way to Irene’s bedside, her heart swelling with hope as she saw her friend resting peacefully, the fever that had plagued her now gone.

A wave of relief washed over Sophia, the tension in her shoulders loosening as she took in the sight of Irene’s serene face.

At that moment, Grace entered the room, her presence a welcome distraction. “Good morning!” she greeted warmly, her voice brightening the atmosphere. “The doctor came by earlier and confirmed that Mrs. Irene Foster is on the mend.”

Sophia nodded appreciatively, her heart lifting further. Yet, curiosity tugged at her. “Was Easton here last night?” she asked, her tone laced with intrigue.

“He was,” Grace replied softly, her expression thoughtful. “He arrived late, but when he saw that you both were asleep, he insisted I not wake you.”

Taking a moment to steady her breathing, she grabbed her phone and dialed Easton’s number. As he answered, she softened her tone, adopting a sweet demeanor. “Easton, are you busy right now?”

At that moment, Easton was seated in Irene’s room, waiting for the doctor to finish his examination. When his phone rang, he excused himself, stepping into the hallway to take the call.

“Grandma’s not feeling well,” he explained quietly, his voice steady. “I’m staying with her at the nursing home.”

“How is she doing?” Stella inquired, her tone laced with genuine concern. “Would it be alright if I stopped by to see her?”

Around Easton, Stella always maintained an air of grace and consideration, carefully curating her image.

“That’s kind of you, but it’s really not necessary,” Easton replied, his tone even and unreadable, leaving no room for interpretation.

“Maybe we could meet tonight?” she suggested tentatively, a hint of longing in her voice. “It’s been too long, and I was hoping you might have thought about what we discussed last time.”