Chapter 11
Third POV:
Then landed on Rowan, who was still wailing.
“Come here, Rowan,” he said, motioning with his hand.
The maids flinched and quickly released the boy.”
Rowan ran toward him.
“Daddy! You’re finally here!” he sobbed into his father’s chest.
Vincent ran a hand over Rowan’s head. His voice was calm, low.
“Tell me, what happened?”
Before Rowan could speak, Doris approached.
She wiped her tears away delicately, her tone soft, almost regretful.
“It’s my fault. I didn’t think things through. I appeared too suddenly, and Rowan wasn’t ready to accept that I’m his mother. It overwhelmed him.”
“You’re not my mother!”
Rowan shouted and shoved Doris hard.
She let out a startled cry. Her heel twisted. She was about to fall-
Vincent stepped forward and caught her in his arms.
“You okay?”
“I think I twisted my ankle,” she said breathlessly. “But I’m fine. Rowan’s feelings come first.”
Vincent’s eyes darkened. He bent down and swept her up in his arms.
“I’ll take you to the hospital.”
He turned.
His gaze met Sophia’s.
Her eyes were red, locked onto his face.
“Is it true?” she asked, her voice trembling. “She’s really Rowan’s birth mother?”
“Yes,” Vincent replied. His voice was steady. Flat.
“Doris is Rowan’s biological mother.”
There was no guilt in his eyes.
No remorse.
Only cold, brutal honesty.
Sophia’s heart sank–heavy, slow, breaking piece by piece.
“Rowan listens to you. Take him home. Talk to him. Help him understand.”
13:42
Chapter 11
That was all he said–before walking away, carrying Doris in his arms.
The black Maybach pulled out of the estate and disappeared down the road.
Sophia stood still for a moment, then bowed her head.
Her eyes burned. Her lips parted slightly. She sucked in a deep breath–again, and again–forcing the tears to retreat.
“Mommy?”
Rowan’s little hand found hers.
“Your eyes are red… were you crying?”
Sophia crouched down, touched his cheek, and forced a smile.
“No, sweetheart. Let’s go home.”
She stood and looked at Lillian. “You heard what Vincent said.”
Lillian glared at her, seething.
But Vincent had spoken–there was nothing more she could say.
Soon enough, Doris would be back for good. Vincent would divorce Sophia.
And that woman would be out of their lives–permanently.
That thought comforted her.
On the drive home, Sophia tried to explain Doris’s identity to Rowan.
But the moment she started, he resisted. He cried again.
Sophia sighed, helpless and aching.
She stopped talking and simply held him close.
He cried himself to sleep before they reached home.
Sophia gently laid the sleeping child in his bed, tucking the blanket around him.
Downstairs, she heard the sound of a car.
She had just stood up when the door opened.
Vincent stepped inside.
Their eyes met. The air felt heavy.
“Where’s Rowan?” he asked.
“Asleep. Upstairs.”
He gave a slight nod and brushed past her, heading up.
Sophia turned. Watched him go.
Her fingers curled tightly at her sides.
She hesitated… but followed.
13:42
Chapter 11
Five years. Five years of being his wife. Of nights spent in the same bed.
She deserved at least one answer.
Vincent pushed open the door to the child’s room.
He picked up the sleeping Rowan and turned to leave.
“Where are you taking him?” Sophia asked from the hallway.
“Doris has depression,” he said, not turning around. “She needs him.”
And just like that, he walked out.
Sophia stood frozen.
She didn’t move until the sound of the car disappeared.
No explanations. No choices. No chance to speak.
He came and went as he pleased.
Not once did he ask her opinio 20
She glanced around the empty house.
Then she laughed.
A bitter, hollow laugh.
And as she laughed…. the tears finally fell.
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