Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 538 By the tMila arrived at the hospital, the afternoon was already slipping away.

Stepping onto the inpatient floor, she spotted a man lingering outside a room, clutching a briefcase and sdocuments. He wore a well-tailored suit-the sort of crisp, professional attire that marked him as young but already a little world- weary. As Mila drew closer, she noticed sweat beading on his brow as he dabbed at his forehead, and she couldn't help but wonder at the sight.

"Why aren't you going in?" It suddenly struck her-Sophia had only been out of prison for a year, and her mental state was far from stable. She hadn't resumed any real control over the Pembroke Family business, but she was still technically the president. This must be one of the company's employees.

So why was he blocking the doorway instead of going in? "Ah, Chairwoman Sutherland, good afternoon... If you have business inside, please go ahead. I'm in no rush," the man said politely, stepping aside as she approached.

Mila didn't dwell on it. She reached for the doorknob and pushed the door open. The moment she set foot inside, someone seized her wrist. Before she could react, she was yanked off balance and dragged into the room.

The man who'd been about to follow her in paused, his grip on the documents trembling slightly. He hesitated, then quietly shut the door and abandoned any thought of entering. Instead, he made his way to a bench against the wall and sat down, suddenly feeling that maybe-whatever he'd cfor wasn't so urgent after all.

He could wait.

*** Inside the room, Mila's arm was twisted behind her back, her face pressed to the wall. Disoriented, it took her a beat to realize what was happening.

She kicked backward on instinct.

A muffled grunt sounded behind her, and the grip on her arm tightened painfully. Sophia's voice, sharp and furious, hissed from behind, "Who gave you permission to hang up on me?" Not a single one of her calls had gotten through since that day. When had she ever been treated like this? Getting blocked before-fine, she'd swallowed that.

But now, when she was clearly in the right, why should she have to put up with this? Mila blinked. "...All this because of a phone call?" What kind of lunatic is this? Anger flared in her chest. Gritting her teeth against the pain radiating from her shoulder, Mila quickly weighed her options, then stomped down hard on the other woman's foot. The hold on her loosened just enough for her to wrench free and put sdistance between them.

Her gaze flicked to the comatose child on the bed-thankfully, he seemed undisturbed by the commotion. Mila swung her purse between them like a shield, voice low and warning, "Stop! Don't cany closer!" Seriously, what is wrong with you? Do you even realize where you are? Her heart pounded with anger.

She really needed a full physical after this-being hounded by unstable people like this was going to wear down even the most patient saint. As if dealing with a missing Lysander Montgomery wasn't enough, now she had to handle someone even more unhinged-and apparently not shy about using force.

What was wrong with these people? Was basic conversation not an option? Did no one around here know how to use their words? After a few moments, Mila glanced at Sophia, who stood a few feet away, bracing herself against the wall in silence. Mila exhaled, composing herself. "Have you calmed down? Can we talk like civilized adults now?" Sophia's icy stare answered her.

Mila met her gaze, refusing to back down. After last night's near-disastrous argument with Sophia an argument that had almost ended in tragedy-she found she wasn't afraid anymore. Maybe she was just resigned; her life honestly couldn't get much worse at this point.

If she couldn't hide, she'd have to face things head-on.

And when dealing with someone erratic and violent, she knew from experience- show any weakness, and you'd be bullied mercilessly. Stand your ground, or you'd be eaten alive.

She was done being pushed around.

Sophia still leaned against the wall, not moving, but after a long, tense silence, she finally averted her gaze. Her voice was cold and commanding. "My foot hurts. Chelpto a chair." Mila glanced down.

That was her doing-Sophia's foot was already swelling in her low-heeled sandals. Serves her right. Even so, the arrogance was infuriating. Mila ignored her, mel. ne instead to sit by Julian's bedside. The boy lay unconscious, oblivious to the chaos, which was a small mercy.

"Mila!" Sophia's voice was sharp and edged with pain.

Mila glared back. "Can't you see there's a child here? Keep your voice down. And is it so hard to say 'please' when you need help?" What was wrong with these people? She'd been raised in high society-where was the basic courtesy?

Sophia sneered. "You? What are you, that I should say please to you?" She hobbled to into to the door using the wall for support, and raised her fist to bang for help.

She didn't get the chance. Mila's hand shot out, grabbing her wrist in a steely grip Sophia shot her a cold look, a mocking smile flickering on her lips. Of course. As long as Julian was in this room, Mila would never let her cause a scene.

Her son was the only thing keeping her in check.

"Help me-" Sophia started to order, but Mila tightened her grip and, ignoring any protests, half-dragged her out to the corridor. Sophia, foot throbbing with pain, broke out in a cold sweat and for the moment, at least-couldn't muster another word.