After a moment, Gina excused herself as she heard distinct footsteps. She left the room and saw Aidan approaching. She closed the door, stopping him and muttering, "You need to leave."He pleaded with her, "I only want to see Sophie."Gina frantically shook her head. "I think I was wrong to have informed you early about Sophie. Now that you're here, Karina won't be happy, and she will scold me when she finds out what I did."Relentless, he held her hand, humbly asking, "Please, just give me a minute or a few to see Sophie."Staring at him with deep worry, she said, "Karina is going to be back soon, but... I don't know why I'm doing this..." She trailed off and gestured for him to go in as she moved away from the door.He mouthed an apology and rushed in, with her following behind. Immediately he walked up to the sight of the bed and held her hand, Sophie's eyes widened in pure joy as she said in a low, sweet voice, "Daddy."Aidan glanced at Gina, who had surprise written all over her
Karina sat by Sophie’s side, brushing a strand of hair from her daughter’s forehead. Gina watched her, feeling a mix of guilt and determination. She knew she had to keep Karina’s trust while managing the precarious situation with Aidan.Sophie stirred slightly, her eyelids fluttering open. “Mommy, who were you talking to?”Karina forced a smile. “Just Gina, darling. How are you feeling?”“Better,” Sophie murmured. “But I had a dream… Daddy was here.”Karina’s heart skipped a beat. “A dream? What happened in the dream?”Sophie smiled faintly. “He was just here, holding my hand.”Karina exchanged a quick, concerned glance with Gina, who offered a reassuring nod. “It was just a dream, sweetheart. Get some rest now.”As Sophie drifted back to sleep, Karina’s mind raced. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss. Meanwhile, Gina silently vowed to keep Aidan’s secret, hoping it wouldn’t lead to more trouble.Meanwhile, Lucas angrily stomped into the Salvatore Mansion, demanding
Riley managed to sneak back into the Everhardt mansion without anyone seeing her. When she crawled into her room, holding her bleeding pinky finger, she was trying to grab the first aid kit from her cupboard when her mother walked in. Martha was stunned to see her in that condition and rushed to her. "Riley! What happened?"Riley, tears streaming down her face, stammered, "I... I need the first aid box. Please, help me."Martha sat her down on the bed and quickly fetched the first aid kit. As she began to dress Riley's wounded finger, Riley cried, telling her everything that had happened. Martha listened in disbelief."Amira's henchman, Linda, attacked me," Riley concluded. "She asked me to send her regards."Martha's eyes widened. "Linda? Was she the one who did this to you?"Riley nodded. "Amira ordered her to."Martha scoffed. "That bitch. She was the one who carried out the mission to kill Karina that night and failed."Riley whimpered. "Did you do anything wrong to her?"Martha s
Karina’s mind raced, looking for different ways to handle the new situation she found herself in. Steeling herself, she looked up, holding his gaze for a moment. Her hands trembled slightly as she clutched the report. "This... is a big joke."Aidan's eyes narrowed. "You expect me to believe that?"She shrugged, scoffing. "Believe whatever you want, but a fake report doesn't mean you're my daughter's father because you're definitely not."He was taken aback by her refusal. "Why are you so adamant about denying it?"She cut in. "Because you can't be her father. It's Lucas who is…"He interjected angrily. "Stop claiming that jerk is my daughter's father!"She chuckled, ridiculing him. "You really think barging in here with some paper changes anything? You're delusional."He was speechless at her reaction, a mix of hurt and frustration crossing his face.Then she glared at him. "How did you come about this report if you didn't fake it?"He curtly replied, "It's none of your business. She'
Unable to cope with his silence again, Amira, filled with apprehension and trepidation, took a step forward, muttering his name. "Aidan... please."Xander noticed Aidan's reluctance and asked, "Aidan, what's wrong?"Aidan, his voice steady but firm, responded, "I love Karina, and I want to raise Sophie with her. That's what I want, Mother."Amira took a shaky step backward, still maintaining her smile. "But... Aidan, think about everything we've built."Cruzita's face twisted with anger. "You can't be serious! That woman—""Is the mother of my child," Aidan cut in sharply. "And I will stand by her."Kayla, sensing the tension, added, "This is a family matter. We need to support Aidan's decision, regardless of how it doesn't seem good."Cruzita's eyes narrowed. "Supporting him doesn't mean we have to accept her."Amira, now more composed, said, "Let's not forget what's best for the girl. She needs stability. But, Aidan, I can do—"Aidan nodded and cut in, "Exactly. And that stability in
Tara shook her head, panic rising in her voice. "I can't do that! It's illegal, and I could lose my job…"Karina tightened her grip, her voice low and threatening. "If you don’t, I will make sure you lose much more than your job. Do you understand me?"Tara's eyes filled with tears as she nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, I understand."Karina released her, stepping back with a cold smile. "Good. You will make sure the new results show Aidan isn't the father. If you fail, I will ruin you. Do you hear me?"Tara nodded again, wiping her tears. "Yes, I'll do it."Karina let go of her and tilted her head with a sadistic smile. "I know your name and everything regarding you like the back of my hand. This hospital belongs to my family, and I can easily have you fired. You went so far as to take something off my daughter to undergo the DNA test. Now I understand why you were lurking around her some days ago."Tara, holding back another batch of tears, nodded, muttering an apolo
Amira ignored her, pulling out her phone and dialing Riley’s number. When Riley answered, Amira's voice was a seething whisper. "It's been almost a day, Riley. I haven't heard any good news from you."Riley's voice trembled on the other end. "I-I’m looking for the perfect time to carry out the mission.""You have less than 24 hours," Amira snapped. "Do what I ordered, or you'll lose your life." She hung up without waiting for a response.Linda giggled softly, watching Amira's fury. "You really know how to lay down the law, don't you?"Amira shot her a cold look. "Save your comments for someone who cares." She stormed out of the warehouse, leaving Linda behind.Meanwhile, Riley entered her house, still shaking from Amira's call. She headed to her room, slumping on the bed in fear. Her mother, Martha, walked in with a gladdened expression."Mother, I couldn't focus at work today," Riley blurted out, sitting up. "Amira just called me and—"Martha interrupted softly, "Relax, Riley. I have
Karina watched the exchange, her mind racing. She hadn't expected her daughter to say that in such a manner. Lucas couldn't say anything but smiled as he stared at Karina, who simply nodded and asked her daughter not to talk much again. Then she sat down and continued reading.As Lucas settled back in a seat nearby, he thought to himself, "This is just the beginning. I will find a way to make Karina see that I’m the one she needs.” Then he eyed Sophie, who was now listening to Karina's reading, and clenched his fist, his expression twisting.Meanwhile, Aidan arrived at the hospital, a big smile on his face as he headed inside with the flowers he bought. Tara, seeing him as she emerged at the reception, quickly rushed over and stopped him.Before he could say anything, she pulled him along to a nearby hallway and into a supplies room. Closing the door behind them, she asked sternly, "What are you doing here?"He chuckled, holding up the flowers. "I'm here to give these to my daughter.