Replacement Bride Left With His Baby (Sophia and Easton) novel Chapter 53

**Chapter 53**

Just two days had passed since Crystal was admitted to the private hospital, and already the wheels were in motion for her surgery.

**

On a particularly radiant morning, Sophia felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety as she made her way to the hospital to visit Crystal. The sun streamed through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the pavement, and she clutched a bouquet of vibrant flowers tightly in her hands, hoping to brighten her friend’s spirits.

As she entered the hospital, a smooth, confident voice interrupted her thoughts. “Ms. Roth, it’s a pleasure to see you.” Turning, she was met by the sight of an impeccably dressed man in a tailored suit. His smile was charming, and his eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief, as if they held secrets waiting to be shared. Sophia raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. “I’m sorry, have we met before?”

“Ryan Howard,” he replied, extending a hand. “I actually own this medical center.”

Recognition flickered in her eyes, and she felt a wave of relief wash over her. “Ah, Mr. Howard! It’s wonderful to finally put a face to the name.”

Ryan chuckled lightly. “We’ve exchanged quite a few messages over the past few weeks,” he said, his tone warm and inviting. “But I must say, it’s far more enjoyable to converse face-to-face.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” she replied, grateful for his kindness. “And thank you once again for being so accommodating with your time.”

He gestured for her to follow him to a quiet seating area, where he poured her a steaming cup of coffee, the rich aroma filling the air.

“Not at all,” Ryan said, settling into a chair across from her. “I feel like we’re aligned in our goals.” He leaned forward slightly, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. “If you don’t mind me asking, how did you come across my contact details?”

Sophia pulled out her phone, her fingers deftly navigating the screen until she found the article. “You wrote a compelling piece about organ donation a couple of years back,” she explained, her voice steady. “I stumbled upon it while browsing the news and thought it was so insightful that I saved it.”

Ryan regarded her thoughtfully, nodding in appreciation. “So, what’s your vision for making this Angel Fund a reality?”

“I want to establish the fund in my father’s name,” she said, her voice filled with conviction. “The goal is to help individuals who need corneal transplants but can’t afford the procedure. It’s a way to give them the gift of sight.”

Their conversation flowed easily, each shared thought weaving a tapestry of mutual understanding and purpose.

Ryan offered a brief nod, shedding his jacket onto the sofa and settling in with a drink. “I heard your ex is back in town,” he said, lifting his glass in a casual toast.

Easton’s expression shifted, his eyes narrowing slightly. “You’ve seen her?”

Ryan observed him with a hint of amusement dancing in his gaze. “Charles was dropping hints in the group chat that you might be losing your edge. I didn’t believe it at first, but now I see what he meant.”

Easton extinguished his cigarette, his demeanor cooling as he processed the information. “So you know her.”

Ryan placed his glass down, a serious look crossing his face. “Just to clarify, we only met recently. Ms. Roth approached me for assistance in setting up an Angel Fund to cover corneal transplant costs for those who are unable to pay.”

He let his words linger in the air, casting a meaningful glance at Easton. “What a curious coincidence, wouldn’t you agree?”

Easton chuckled softly, a smirk creeping onto his lips. “What an interesting turn of events.”