She nodded to Benjamin Gomez from a distance, then turned and headed toward her grandmother's hospital room.

Even though Emily Blair looked calm on the surface, acting as if she hadn't noticed anything unusual, Isabella Austin was still on edge.

To keep up appearances, Isabella walked over to Emily's side.

Emily was surprised—she hadn't expected Isabella to actually come over.

Immediately, Emily stopped at the door of the break room, the space just one wall away from Andrew Lane and Dennis Lane.

Half out of curiosity and half for the drama, Emily waited quietly for Isabella to approach.

Benjamin Gomez, holding Ashley, was also making his way toward them, though he walked slowly. From a distance, Emily could see Benjamin murmuring softly, trying to soothe Ashley in his arms.

Isabella greeted Emily in a gentle voice. "Emily! What a coincidence-what brings you to the hospital?"

Emily answered plainly, "Someone in my family's sick, so I'm here to help. What about you? Why are you here?"

As she spoke, Emily deliberately raised her voice, making sure Andrew and Dennis, just on the other side of the wall, would hear every word.

Isabella smiled. "You saw earlier-it's my friend's child who's unwell. Since I have some experience looking after kids, I came to lend a hand.”

Emily nodded. "I see..."

Suddenly, her eyebrows arched ever so slightly.

Behind her, footsteps approached-steady, measured.

A small, confused voice piped up: "Mom?"

It was Dennis Lane.

When Isabella saw Andrew Lane carrying Dennis as they rounded the corner, her mind went completely blank. For a heartbeat, it felt like her chest had stopped moving altogether.

She stared at them, frozen.

Dennis spotted her and broke into a wide grin. "Mom, did you come to see me?"

Andrew's gaze moved between Isabella and Emily, his brow slowly drawing into a frown.

Emily bit her lip to stifle a laugh.

The unexpected scene left Isabella's heart pounding and her nerves frayed. Forcing a shaky smile, she tried to mask her shock and panic. "Dennis, what are you doing here?"

Dennis pouted and reached out to her. "Mom, I have a fever. I feel terrible. Can you hold me?"

Isabella managed to smile, though it looked strained. "Of course, sweetheart. Come here."

Just as she was about to move toward him, Benjamin's voice rang out behind her.

"Mr. Lane. It's been a while."

An electric jolt shot through Isabella. It was as if someone had struck her on the head with a mallet-her mind buzzing, ears ringing.

This is it. I'm done for.

Completely done for.

Andrew turned to the new arrival, his dark eyes narrowing. "Mr. Gomez. When did you get back?"

Benjamin offered a relaxed, easy smile. "Just a few days ago."

Not many people knew about Isabella and Benjamin's relationship overseas-but Andrew was one of the few.

And the child in Benjamin's arms...

Andrew's gaze darkened.

Meanwhile, Dennis tugged insistently at Isabella's hand. "Mom, come here. Pick me

up."

But Isabella's thoughts were in chaos. Her chest tightened, breath short. She barely registered Dennis's voice at all.

When she looked up, she met Emily's eyes-Emily's brow arched, her face radiating pure enjoyment at the unfolding spectacle.