Sophia Evans could feel her world beginning to crack the moment she heard the news—the woman her husband, Lucas Westwood, had never gotten over was back. When Sophia arrived at the hotel's VIP suite with a gift, she found Lucas's first love—Emily Evans—being humiliated by his childhood friends. "Lick the wine off my shoe, Emily. I'll give you thirty thousand dollars," one of them said. Emily was forced to kneel on the floor, tears in her defiant eyes as she stared shamefully at Lucas. Lucas watched with a dark expression, saying nothing as he held his temper in check. Sophia halted mid-step, struck by the painful familiarity of the scene. Three years ago, when she had first been welcomed into the Evans family, these same privileged young men had tormented her in exactly the same way to gain Emily's favor. But back then, Lucas hadn't worn this expression of utter heartbreak. "There you are," Lucas said as soon as he spotted Sophia, his arm sliding around her waist in a show of intimacy. Only Sophia could feel the desperate pressure of his grip—a silent testament to the pain he was trying to conceal. Lucas's childhood friends had reserved the entire venue for his birthday celebration. But Sophia had never expected Emily to show up here. Everyone knew Lucas had married Sophia just to spite Emily. Three years ago, Emily's identity as a fake heiress was exposed. She broke up with Lucas then and there and left the Evans family behind. Lucas pursued her to the airport, boarded her departing flight, and forced the plane that had already taken off to turn back. Right there on that plane, he proposed to Emily. To his complete surprise, Emily refused without hesitation, declaring that the arranged marriage should be honored by the Evans family's true heiress. Humiliated and acting out of spite, Lucas married Sophia instead. For three years, Sophia had lived as Emily's stand-in. Everyone whispered that if Emily ever returned, Lucas would discard Sophia without a second thought. Sophia had once believed that too, but something had shifted in these past six months—Lucas seemed to be genuinely falling for her. He made grand declarations of love in the press, showered her with luxury homes and cars, and even replaced the cherry tree he'd planted for Emily with a garden full of red roses. In their most tender moments, he'd whisper against her ear, "Let's have a baby, Sophie. I hope they have your smile." Sophia's hand drifted absently to her stomach as she clutched the gift box a little tighter. Inside was a positive pregnancy test—meant to be Lucas's birthday surprise. But now, the timing of the gift felt all wrong. "You still think you're the Evans family princess, Emily? Lucas only has eyes for Sophia now. Why not be with me? A pretty thing like you deserves to be treated right," one of Lucas's friends, Ryan Shaw, sneered. He dragged Emily onto his lap, his hands already roaming over her. "Get your hands off me!" Emily cried, fighting against Ryan's grip as humiliation burned through her. Her resistance only fueled Ryan's excitement. In one swift motion, he shoved her down onto the couch, his powerful body trapping hers. Horrified that Ryan would assault Emily right in front of Lucas, Sophia jumped up to stop him, only to be shoved aside as Lucas already surged into action. As she stumbled, her hands instinctively reached for Lucas's arm, but he brutally shook her off. She hit the floor hard, a jolt of sharp pain shooting from her tailbone straight to her womb. Through the pain-induced haze, she saw Lucas grab Ryan by the collar, drag him off Emily, and pummel his face with brutal, unforgiving fists. "You've overstepped, Ryan. Emily is mine. Even if I discard her, she'll never be yours to touch," Lucas snapped. His words hung in the air, and the entire room fell silent as if frozen in time. Sophia stared at Lucas in disbelief, wondering where she stood in his life now that he had openly claimed Emily as his woman. All eyes in the room were drawn to the scene. Some watched with malicious delight, while others were simply captivated by the unfolding drama. Doubled over in pain, Sophia felt a warm wetness spreading beneath her. Her face paled as a cold dread gripped her heart. "Honey, my stomach hurts," she turned to Lucas instinctively. "Please, take me to the hospital." Without even glancing her way, Lucas removed his jacket and gently placed it around Emily's shoulders. Nestling into his embrace, Emily whispered, her voice trembling, "Lucas, I'm scared. Please take me away from here." "Don't worry," he murmured, holding her close. "I won't let anyone hurt you." Sweeping Emily into his arms, Lucas carried her out of the room, completely ignoring Sophia's pain-racked form shuddering on the floor. Perched comfortably on his shoulder, Emily gazed down at Sophia's crumpled form on the floor, a triumphant smile playing on her lips. The spectators murmured among themselves, still savoring the drama they'd just witnessed. "Emily's definitely the one for Lucas. He hasn't taken his eyes off her all night." "The way Lucas looks at her... I thought it was hatred, but it's clearly something else entirely." "Who could resist someone like her? I certainly wouldn't be able to stay angry." "Poor Sophia. She was just a side character in their love story." At the mention of Sophia's name, the crowd remembered her presence simultaneously, their attention shifting to where she sat. Sophia was in terrible pain and covered in a cold sweat until someone finally noticed her condition and quickly helped her to her feet. "Are you okay?" the guy asked. She gripped his arm tightly as the room spun around her. "Please take me to the hospital. My stomach hurts terribly," she pleaded. Then everything went dark as she fainted. Through the haze of semi-consciousness, distant screams about blood echoed in her ears. When Sophia regained consciousness, she found herself lying in a hospital room. The sharp scent of antiseptic hung in the air as she lay alone in the quiet ward. A nurse tending to her bandages noticed her awakening. "You're awake," she said softly. Sophia's voice came out weak and fearful. "My baby... Is my baby alright?" "Your baby is fine," the nurse reassured her. "But you'll need to take special care. These first few months are particularly delicate in your condition." Relief washed over Sophia as grateful tears fell. "Thank you," she whispered, overwhelmed that her child was safe. Through the emotional turmoil, Sophia's first thought was to share the news with Lucas immediately. Wiping her tears, she reached for her phone and dialed his number. The phone rang several times before Lucas finally picked up. His voice was edged with impatience as he answered, "Not coming home tonight. Don't wait—" "Lucas, my hair's caught in this zipper," Emily's voice interrupted, floating through the line. "Could you give me a hand?" Sophia's knuckles went white around her phone. "Be right there," he said. The call ended before Sophia could form a response. Overnight, things between her and Lucas had reverted to how they were six months ago. Back then, he'd been all cold shoulders and sharp tones. Even in their most intimate moments, he treated her like just another need to be met. To him, she might as well have been a stranger—or worse, just a convenient body. So when he finally let his guard down, she'd been so grateful for the warmth that she fell harder than she ever meant to. She thought her years of longing had finally paid off. But reality slapped her senseless when Lucas chose Emily's safety over their own child's life. After being discharged from the hospital, Sophia caught a taxi home. Midway through the ride, her phone buzzed with a Twitter alert. It was a tweet from Emily: [You told me you'd hold my hand and never let go—not for the rest of our lives.] The attached photo showed Emily dressed like a princess, complete with a tiny crown, her hand locked tightly with a larger, elegant hand. Around the wrist was a bracelet made of prayer beads—the very one Sophia had prayed for in a church last year, when Lucas was burning up with fever. That day, he squeezed her hand and whispered a promise that he would never leave her side. Chapter 2 The taxi stopped outside the Nightfall Estate, where Sophia paid the fare and got out of the vehicle. She was just heading inside when a truck carrying young cherry trees rumbled up the drive and stopped near the garden. Workers carefully unloaded the cherry trees and settled them into the prepared holes. Where a vibrant sea of red roses had bloomed just yesterday, now only upturned earth remained, with the plants piled carelessly to the side. A dull ache spread through Sophia's chest as she gazed at the rose petals strewn like crimson tears across the soil. The familiar purr of a luxury car engine approached from behind. Turning around, Sophia saw Lucas step out of the car. He stood tall and straight, radiating a natural air of calm elegance. "Honey..." Sophia began, but the words died on her lips as he leaned back into the car. With gentle care, he helped a woman step out—it was Emily, who looked radiant in an exquisite designer ensemble that made her complexion glow. Only when Emily was steady did Lucas's gaze finally meet Sophia's, those usually warm eyes now regarding her with detached indifference. "Did you need something?" he asked, his tone flat. The cold unfamiliarity in his look struck Sophia's heart like a physical blow. "Why are you tearing out the roses when they were growing so well?" she asked, desperate for his explanation. Those roses had been his special way of confessing his feelings to her. Lucas barely glanced at the destroyed garden. "Emily's not feeling well. She'll be staying with us for a bit." "What does that have to do with the roses?" she pressed. "She's allergic to the pollen," he said curtly, already turning to guide Emily inside. Sophia stood rooted to the spot, her heart breaking. Emily's delicate voice carried through the air. "Lucas, Sophia seems upset. This is all my fault. I shouldn't have complained about the roses." "She doesn't matter to me," Lucas reassured her. "But I worry she'll resent me. Really, I can manage with allergy medication," Emily offered, her voice dripping with false concern. "Medication always has side effects. Don't suggest things that worry me," he replied. Sophia stood motionless as she watched their figures grow smaller in the distance. A silent tear traced its way down her cheek while overwhelming sorrow washed over her. 'I don't matter to him... Yeah, right,' Sophia murmured with bitter irony, the truth of the words settling like a weight in her heart. He hadn't even asked about her absence last night, and now he had ordered her favorite roses to be torn out. The message was clear—she meant less to him than the slightest thought of Emily. For three years, she had devoted herself to him, offering unwavering love and comfort through difficult times. She had believed her constant warmth could thaw even the coldest heart, but Emily's reappearance had erased everything in an instant. She wondered what their intimacy these past six months had truly meant, and what role she had actually played in his life. A sudden twinge in her lower abdomen made her catch her breath. Pale and unsteady, she turned toward the villa. As Sophia stepped into the living room, she saw Emily nestled against Lucas on the sofa, watching with affectionate amusement as he peeled an orange for her. Lucas gently picked away every bit of white pith from the orange segments before arranging them on a plate for Emily. "For you," he said with a soft smile. "Enjoy, my little foodie." As Emily took the plate, she noticed Sophia entering the room. A triumphant smile graced her lips as she called out, "Sophia, would you like some? Lucas peeled these himself. Something you've never experienced, I'm sure." Sophia's gaze fell upon the perfectly prepared orange segments, and she felt a sudden sting behind her eyes. The painful truth was that in all their time together, Lucas had never once peeled an orange for her. She had always been the one serving him. The realization struck her with perfect clarity—Lucas knew well how to be thoughtful, but he simply reserved his kindness for Emily. Sophia felt her heart breaking into pieces as she finally understood how painful comparison could be. "She's perfectly capable of peeling her own fruit," Lucas said dismissively, barely glancing at Sophia. Then he noticed her pale complexion and added, "Are you alright? You look terribly pale." Sophia's hands clenched into fists at her sides as she debated telling Lucas her secret pregnancy. A fragile hope whispered within her—that this truth might finally soften his heart toward her. "I..." Her voice faltered, the words dying on her lips. "If you're ill, see a doctor. This pathetic act is getting tiresome," Lucas said, impatience flashing across his handsome features. He was annoyed by her wounded expression, which seemed to suggest she was the victim of some terrible injustice. Sophia swallowed her unspoken words, her gaze lingering on the man who suddenly felt like a complete stranger. "I'm fine," she murmured. "I'll just go to my room." As she turned toward the staircase, Lucas felt a surge of irritation. 'I must've been too lenient with her, and now she dared to show me attitude,' he thought, fuming. Sophia had only climbed a few steps when the housekeeper, Wendy, appeared descending the stairs with servants carrying boxes. The items looked familiar, but it was the sight of her stuffed doll in Wendy's arms that made Sophia realize everything they carried was hers. In a swift motion, she stepped forward and snatched the doll. Her voice turned icy as she asked, "Wendy, care to explain this?" "Mr. Westwood's orders," Wendy said quietly. "You're to move to the storage room downstairs." The words hit Sophia like a physical blow, leaving her mind reeling. She turned to Lucas, her eyes wide with disbelief. "You can't be serious." They'd already maintained separate bedrooms, but she never imagined that she'd be banished to a storage room instead of even being offered the guest suite after Emily's return. For a fleeting moment under her gaze, Lucas felt a twinge of guilt, but it quickly hardened into resolve. "Emily needs the sunroom for her health," he stated matter-of-factly. "Your room gets the best light. It's better for her recovery." The absurdity of it all drew a bitter laugh from Sophia's lips. She thought his previous cruelty—shoving her while pregnant and replacing her roses with Emily's cherry trees—had been the worst it could get. But this new humiliation surpassed even that. All Lucas had done since Emily's return yesterday was talk about her. In just one day, she had turned Sophia's whole life upside down. Sophia expected to feel rage, but instead found only a hollow emptiness settling in her chest. 'Look at him, Sophia,' Sophia thought bitterly. 'This is the man you gave your heart and soul to. Was any of it worth it?' "If you're so worried about her comfort, why not just move her into your room? The master suite gets the best light anyway," Sophia shot back. Lucas responded sharply, "Sophia, you need to watch your tone." Emily's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I know you don't want me here, Sophia. I'll go. Please don't fight with Lucas over me." Sophia saw right through Emily's act. A humorless laugh escaped her as she spat, "You're not going anywhere. I am." Tightening her grip on the stuffed doll, she turned and headed for the door. "Don't you dare, Sophia." Lucas rose to his feet, his voice cutting through the room. "Walk out that door now, and don't expect to ever come back." Sophia's hands tightened into fists at her sides. "I'll make sure you receive the divorce papers," she said, her voice cold and steady. "See that you sign them." "You're asking me for a divorce?" Lucas's voice was low, thick with barely restrained fury. He added, his tone edged with contempt, "Have you forgotten who gave you this life, Sophia? The luxury, the status—all of it came from me. Without my name, you're just that wide-eyed girl fresh off that forgotten little town. You don't get to leave." Chapter 3 Sophia didn't need to look back to know the condescending smirk that was surely on Lucas's face. She knew he had always despised her. His proposal three years ago had been motivated only by a desire to fulfill the marriage agreement between their families and to exact revenge on Emily. She had been naive enough to believe his empty promises, offering him her genuine love when he saw her as nothing more than a pawn. To him, she would always be a leech, clinging to his wealth and name for survival. But now, she had reached her limit, and she no longer wanted him in her life. Sophia walked out without a backward glance. As she stepped through the gateway, the sound of shattering porcelain echoed behind her, but she no longer cared. Lucas stood amid the shattered remains, fingers pressed to his temples. His face was a mask of simmering anger. He dismissed the mention of divorce as just another one of her calculated moves, a transparent attempt to get his attention by pulling away. Emily watched him hesitantly. "Maybe I shouldn't be staying here, Lucas. Sophia seemed really upset." "It's nothing," Lucas replied evenly. Seeing how the mention of divorce had affected him, she suggested softly, "You could go after her. Women usually respond well to a little reassurance." "I don't have time for that," Lucas said, turning toward the staircase. With a business trip looming, his mind was elsewhere. 'Let her make a scene if she wants to,' he thought. 'She'll cool off and come crawling back. She always does.' --- Sophia's home was a beautiful 3,200-square-foot apartment with an open-concept layout and sleek modern decor—all paid for with her own earnings. In her study, she printed the divorce papers and a letter resigning from her position. With a steady hand, she signed both, and then summoned a courier to deliver them directly to the Westwood Group. When she married Lucas three years ago, Sophia had joined his company, hoping to build a genuine connection with him. She started at the very bottom as an assistant and gradually earned her way up to department manager. She had wanted nothing more than to be close to him—in their home and at work. But in the end, her efforts were met with cold indifference. Gazing downward, Sophia softly cradled her stomach. "It's just us now, little one," she whispered. The courier arrived at Westwood headquarters while Lucas was away. His chief executive assistant, Kevin Chapman, received the delivery and signed. The moment Kevin saw the contents, he reached for the phone, dialing Lucas's number in haste. "Mr. Westwood, your wife has sent divorce documents." "Burn it all." On the other side of the ocean, Lucas loosened his tie as an unexpected wave of irritation came over him. "But Mrs. Westwood has even submitted her resignation letter..." Kevin replied, his tone hesitant. "She can't survive without this family." The blue flame from Lucas's lighter highlighted the grim set of his features. "Let her be. She'll come crawling back once reality sets in." Meanwhile, Sophia remained completely unaware of his words. Her morning had begun with a call from her mother-in-law, Helen Westwood. "Where are you? Return at once," Helen commanded in her typically imperious manner, leaving no room for discussion. Complying, Sophia drove back to the estate. No sooner had she stepped inside than a velvet box came hurling toward her head, which she narrowly avoided by stepping aside. Helen's shrill voice pierced the air. "How dare you avoid that? You've got some nerve." Sophia's gaze fell upon the velvet box at her feet, and suddenly, she understood why it seemed familiar. She remembered purchasing that exact box to store her pregnancy test results. On Lucas's birthday, she had intended to present it to him as a gift, but he had accidentally pushed her before she could give it to him, resulting in her hospitalization. Her heart leaped as she turned to face Helen's livid expression. 'Could she know about the pregnancy? But something about her reaction seems strange,' she wondered. For three years, Helen had made no secret of her disapproval of Sophia, someone raised in a small town. Yet every time Sophia visited the Westwood residence with Lucas, Helen would consistently nag Sophia about starting a family soon. If Helen knew Sophia was pregnant, she was supposed to be absolutely delighted instead of reacting like this. Helen clutched a medical report, her eyes blazing with fury as she stared down Sophia. "For three years, I've watched your marriage to Lucas, wondering why you never conceived. Now I understand—he married a barren woman. "If you hadn't left this at the hotel and Lucas's friend hadn't been kind enough to deliver it, I'd still be in the dark about your condition." Heart pounding with shock, Sophia ignored Helen's murderous gaze and snatched the document from her hand. The clinical report lay cold and pale in the morning light. There was her name, clearly printed, alongside the devastating diagnosis: "permanent infertility." 'Permanent infertility? But that's impossible. I'm pregnant. Someone must have switched my test results. But who would do such a thing?' Sophia wondered. The words tumbled out before she could stop them. "This isn't my..." Emily, who had remained silent until now, suddenly interrupted, "Sophia, the Westwood lineage has been passed down through a single heir for ten generations. Are you trying to ensure Lucas dies without an heir? To extinguish the family line completely?" "How utterly heartless!" Helen exclaimed, pointing an accusing finger at Sophia as her anger reached its peak. "We've welcomed you with open arms since you married into this family. Yet you've been hiding this from us? To think you'd let our family line die out—it's truly despicable!" she added. Sophia didn't even attempt to explain herself. If they wanted to believe she was barren, so be it—it would only simplify the divorce proceedings. "I only received the results two days ago. I hadn't found the right moment to share the news," Sophia replied, her voice calm. "This wasn't about finding the right moment. You did this intentionally," Helen retorted, her face contorted with rage. "And you planned to give this to Lucas as a gift? What kind of twisted mind would conceive such a thing?" Sophia maintained her silence. Helen took a measured breath, forcing her anger down. "If you can't conceive naturally, I won't hold it against you. I've spoken with Emily, and she's agreed to donate her eggs so you and Lucas can pursue in vitro fertilization." Sophia stared in disbelief at the unexpected turn. "Could you repeat that?" She believed she had misheard because the suggestion was both preposterous and deeply offensive. "If you can't conceive, that's your problem. Emily is being extraordinarily generous by offering her eggs. The least you could do is show some appreciation instead of this ingratitude," Helen sneered. A bitter smile touched Sophia's lips. "Perhaps you'd like to accept this generous offer yourself?" "How dare you speak to me like that!" Helen's eyes flashed with fury. "Sophia, you shouldn't speak to Mrs. Westwood that way. She was suggesting that for your sake," Emily said in a honeyed tone, reaching for the glass. As she moved, she made certain to display the prayer beads circling her delicate wrist. Sophia's breath caught—she would recognize the bracelet anywhere. That was the very ones she had sacrificed so much to obtain while praying for Lucas's recovery. It felt like a personal insult, seeing the bracelet that symbolized her love for Lucas now clasped around Emily's wrist. "For my sake?" Sophia repeated, the words tasting bitter as she caught the sly glint of satisfaction in Emily's eyes. It sent a sharp ache through her. She knew this game all too well. Emily had a gift for twisting people's vulnerabilities to her advantage, a lesson Sophia had learned the hard way three years ago. "I'm infertile. What possible use could I have for your eggs?" Sophia asked, her voice cold. "Do you really think I need a constant reminder of what I can't have?" Emily's smile vanished. For Helen's benefit, she bit her lip, her eyes instantly welling with feigned hurt. "Mrs. Westwood," she said, her voice trembling slightly, "I was only trying to help Sophia." Helen immediately comforted Emily by patting her hand. She then shot Sophia a disapproving look. "How can you be so selfish, Sophia? Are you really determined to let the Westwood family line die out?" Sophia gestured dismissively toward Emily. "Well, if she's so fertile, let her handle the baby-making." The thought of Emily getting to be a mother the easy way turned Sophia's stomach. Chapter 4 The color drained from both Helen's and Emily's faces. Helen stepped forward, jabbing a finger toward Sophia. "You think you're better than us? Then you give the Westwood family an heir. Don't blame anyone else for your own useless womb." Sophia bit back the sharp retort on her tongue. She was done with this family, done with Lucas. Arguing now would only prolong the inevitable. "Mrs. Westwood," she began, "I've decided—" Lucas's familiar, deep voice cut through the tension from the doorway. "Decided what?" Sophia turned to see Lucas standing there, his clothes rumpled from travel. His assistant, Kevin, hovered behind him with a suitcase in hand. The air in the room was thick with tension, so Kevin knew better than to stay. He simply left the suitcase by the door and made a quick exit. Loosening his tie, Lucas turned to Helen. "Mom, what brings you here?" "If I hadn't come, you'd have let our family name die out," Helen shot back. She then snatched the medical report from Sophia and flung it at Lucas's chest. "See for yourself," she said coldly, and with that, she swept out of the room. Lucas looked down at the document in his hands, and the words "permanent infertility" caused a faint twitch in his brow. His eyes, when they finally lifted to meet Sophia's, were devoid of warmth. "You'll go back to the hospital tomorrow for a full work-up. I will not have a wife who can't give me an heir." A hollow ache spread through Sophia's chest. Any foolish hope she'd been clinging to finally faded. Lucas had never defended her in three years of his mother's constant belittlement. And now, the ease with which he believed this lie revealed the chilling truth of his character. "I have the divorce papers right here," Sophia said, pulling the documents from her bag. She extended them toward him, her voice steady. "Just sign them, and you'll never have to see me again." Lucas didn't even look at the papers. In one swift motion, his hand closed around her throat, pulling her close. He leaned in until his face was mere inches from hers, and she could feel his warm breath and smell the familiar scent of his cologne. There was a time when this closeness would have made her heart flutter. Now, it only made her skin crawl. It was amazing how easy it was to walk away when all the love had drained away. "Sophia, have I been too soft with you?" Lucas's voice was thick with contempt. "Where exactly do you think you'll go without my protection?" She held his gaze without flinching. "That's really none of your concern anymore." "Still got that sharp tongue," he sneered. He released her with a dismissive shove, as if her defiance meant nothing. "Go make me dinner. I'm hungry." A wave of pain shot through Sophia's lower abdomen as she sank into the sofa, her skin turning clammy with an instant, cold sweat. Across the room, Emily slid her arm through Lucas's with practiced ease. "Don't let Sophia bother you," she murmured. "Her little scene was just a cry for your attention." Lucas pulled his tie free, his stern expression melting away as he focused on Emily. "How are you holding up?" he asked, his tone gentler. "I'm fine," she sighed, putting on a pitiful face. "It's just that the medicine is so awfully bitter." "It's bitter because it's strong. You need to keep taking it," he reminded her. "I picked up those candies you like. They're in my suitcase. Go get them yourself." "I know you always look out for me," Emily said, stretching up to press a light kiss to Lucas's cheek. "Consider that your reward." A look of quiet satisfaction crossed his features at the gesture. "I'm going up to shower," he said. "Go ahead," Emily said sweetly, fluttering a wave at him. She waited until Lucas's footsteps faded up the staircase before turning to the suitcase. They carried on as if Sophia weren't standing right there in the same room. Humming cheerfully, Emily unzipped the luggage. Alongside Lucas's neatly folded clothes sat a jar of shimmering candies and an elegant red velvet box that clearly held something valuable. Her eyes skipped over the candy, going straight to the velvet box. When she lifted the lid, a pink diamond necklace lay gleaming, its facets scattering rainbows in the light. "Oh, it's exquisite. I love it," she whispered, her eyes widening. "So the candy was just a decoy. This necklace is what he really wanted me to find." Draping the necklace against her collarbone, Emily turned to face Sophia, who had risen from the sofa. "Well, Sophia? Don't you think it suits me perfectly?" The pink diamond necklace around Emily's neck struck Sophia as oddly familiar. It came to her a moment later—she had coveted it last month while flipping through a magazine. Lucas had seen her fascination and promised to get it for her. The catch was its exclusivity—a single piece, sourced from Melaria, the country where Lucas had been attending to business. "That was for me," Sophia said, her voice calm. The man was disposable, but her possessions were not. She would reclaim what was rightfully hers. With a swift motion, Emily clasped the necklace. "Finders keepers," she said with a mocking grin. Sophia approached for a closer look. Though the necklace was more exquisite than its photograph, any desire for it had vanished. A wary look crossed Emily's face. "What is this about?" "To take what belongs to me, of course," Sophia said, stepping close and extending her hand. "It's time you returned it." Emily's hands instinctively flew to the diamond necklace at her throat. "Lucas will never stand for this, Sophia. You know what I mean to him." Sophia almost laughed. She knew well that Emily held a special place in Lucas's heart. But that was irrelevant. She was only claiming what was hers. "Give the bracelet back to me," Sophia said coldly. It was a token earned through true devotion, and she wouldn't let its significance be tarnished. Realizing Sophia only wanted the simple bracelet, Emily smiled condescendingly. 'Some shortsighted people have no taste,' she thought. Emily twisted the bracelet around her wrist. "I heard you went to Grace Abbey to beg for this good-luck charm," she said. "You are so hung up on him, aren't you?" The hypocrisy of her words was almost laughable. "Give it back," Sophia said, her voice like ice. Emily's eyes flickered to a point behind Sophia, and a sly smile touched her lips. She lowered her voice. "If you want it so badly, why don't you come and take it?" Sophia didn't stop to think. She grabbed Emily's wrist and tugged the bracelet free. The moment it was off, Emily's demeanor shifted completely. "Sophia, what are you doing?" she cried out, her voice suddenly loud and panicked. "Lucas gave this to me." Before Sophia could even turn around, a powerful hand seized her by the collar and hauled her backwards. The fabric dug sharply into her throat, stealing her breath. Stumbling to regain her footing, Sophia looked up to see Lucas. He was already cradling Emily. "Emily, are you alright?" he asked, his voice full of concern. Emily buried her face in his chest. "I'm fine," she whispered, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Please, don't be angry with Sophia. She didn't mean it." Lucas's jaw tightened, a vein pulsing visibly at his temple. He took a deep breath and fixed Sophia with an icy stare. "Apologize to Emily." Chapter 5 A bitter smile touched Sophia's lips. She had fooled herself into thinking she was numb to Lucas's coldness. But his command still sent a fresh, sharp pain through her chest. She knew there was no point arguing with a man who had already chosen the other woman's side. "I won't apologize," Sophia said, her fist closing tightly around the bracelet. "What for?" Emily looked up at Lucas with well-practiced vulnerability. "I'm causing trouble here, Lucas. I should go." Lucas caught her wrist before she could take a second step. "You're staying right here." His attention snapped back to Sophia, his expression darkening. "Now, Sophia, apologize to Emily." The room blurred as tears filled Sophia's eyes, twisting his familiar face into a stranger's. She lifted the simple bracelet between them. "This is my stuff in the first place. Since when is taking back what was stolen a crime?" "Your stuff? Since when do you have anything of your own?" Lucas's lips curled in a sneer. "I've paid for every stitch of clothing on your back." The words hit Sophia like a physical blow, forcing a bitter laugh from her lips. He knew perfectly well she earned her own living, yet he took every opportunity to demean her. "This bracelet came from Grace Abbey," she countered, her voice trembling. "You didn't pay a cent for it." Lucas's eyes dropped to the simple beads in her palm. "You think I care about some cheap bracelet?" he scoffed. Hot tears streamed down Sophia's face without warning. Wiping them away, Sophia made a silent vow—this would be the last time he reduced her to this. "Fine!" With one sharp motion, she snapped the bracelet's cord, sending beads skittering across the floor. Lucas watched the scattered beads come to rest, his hand curling into a white-knuckled fist at his side. He knew how much that bracelet meant to her, but the moment Emily wanted it, he didn't hesitate to take it off and hand it over. Lucas's head snapped up, his eyes blazing. "Sophia!" "I want a divorce," Sophia said, her voice eerily calm. As she opened her hand, the last bead from the bracelet clattered onto the floor between them. "Let's just end this." The sound was small, but in the tense silence, it was deafening, echoing in Lucas's mind. He let out a short laugh, his gaze locked on her. "You think a threat will work? You should know better than that by now." 'This has to be a ploy,' he thought to himself. 'She loves me too much to go through with it. She has accepted her role as Emily's replacement from the beginning and has never once tried to leave. 'She would never have the strength to walk away from me.' "Go make us something to eat, and we can forget this ever happened." Lucas was certain he had thrown Sophia a lifeline. He waited, fully expecting her to be overcome with relief and scurry off to the kitchen. He'd been away on business, and days of unfamiliar rich food had left his stomach unsettled. What he craved was Sophia's cooking—simple, hearty food that tasted like home. It was a flavor he couldn't find anywhere else. "You can go eat your ass," Sophia shot back. She picked up her bag, her lips twisting into a scornful smile, and walked out without a backward glance. That smile grated on Lucas's nerves more than the insult itself. In his frustration, his eyes fell on the string of prayer beads lying scattered on the floor, and he gave them an impatient kick. 'So that's her game. She wants to challenge me? I'd like to see just how long her resolve will hold,' he thought, fuming. --- Sophia sped away from Nightfall Estate, her phone buzzing relentlessly on the passenger seat. Lucas's name flashed across the screen again and again until she finally grabbed it and blocked his number for good. When she looked up at the road, she blinked, her vision blurring for a moment. She braced for the familiar sting of tears, but when her fingers touched her skin, it was dry. It was only then that she noticed the soft patter against the windshield. A fine drizzle had begun to fall, and a quiet melancholy settled over her, as gray as the sky. Up ahead, the flickering hazard lights of a sleek black car broke the rhythm of the rain. A man in a soaked suit, looking to be in his forties, stood beside it, waving frantically at passing traffic. Almost without conscious thought, Sophia found herself flipping on her turn signal and pulling over. She rolled down her window as the man rushed over. "Everything okay?" she asked. "It's my boss," the man said, his voice tight with panic. "He's having a heart attack. The ambulance is stuck in a multi-car accident. Please, can you take us to the hospital?" Sophia hesitated. Letting two strange men into her car, especially in this weather, felt dangerous. Every cautionary tale she'd ever heard flashed through her mind. Seeing her hesitation, the man added urgently, "I promise we're not dangerous. My boss is—" But Sophia was already moving, cutting the engine and stepping out into the downpour. "Just get him to my car, now," she called out as she rushed toward their vehicle. As she got closer, she recognized the distinctive emblem of the black Maybach. Working together, they carefully transferred the elderly man from the luxury sedan into Sophia's more modest car. The old man's lips were tinged with blue, and each ragged breath seemed like a struggle, clear signs of his critical condition. Sliding behind the wheel, Sophia started the car and pulled back onto the road, pushing through the veils of rain. In the backseat, the middle-aged man was a whirlwind of activity on his phone, coordinating with a hospital and alerting the family. Beyond the windows, the storm seemed to intensify, as if trying to match the urgency inside the car. After ensuring everything was in place, the man turned to Sophia with heartfelt appreciation. "You're the only one who stopped in this downpour. We can't thank you enough." A warm smile touched Sophia's lips. "Some things are just meant to be." --- Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at the hospital entrance where medical staff stood ready. The team swiftly transferred the elderly man to a stretcher and hurried him inside for emergency care. Just as Sophia was about to drive away, she spotted a lone leather shoe in the backseat—the one the elderly man had been wearing. After a moment's hesitation, she parked properly and carried the shoe to the reception desk, logging it as a lost item. Sophia was just turning to leave when a group emerged from the hospital's main entrance. At the front of the group was a man whose height and posture commanded attention. He turned his sharp gaze on her, and the intensity in his eyes was so commanding that it felt like a physical pressure. 'That frown means trouble,' Sophia thought. She averted her gaze and continued walking, brushing past the group without a second look. It wasn't until she was back in the driver's seat that she felt the chill of her wet clothes clinging to her skin. As she dried her hair with a towel from the backseat, a notification popped up on her phone while she was opening the navigation app. It was a post from Emily: [Nothing says 'forever' like a soft-boiled egg made with love! My ultimate comfort food.] The post featured two photos—one showed a soft-boiled egg with a ketchup heart, and the other captured a tall man's back as he stood at the stove, an apron tied around his waist. Sophia couldn't help but compare. When she was with Lucas, he had acted like even pouring her a glass of water was a significant concession. Cooking a meal was utterly out of the question. The fact that he was now cooking for Emily spoke volumes about where his true affections lay. She closed the page and entered her apartment address into the navigation system before driving out of the parking lot. As she watched the heavy rain outside, a single decisive thought crystallized in her mind—this marriage was over.
