Chapter 14
It was well past midnight when Vincent stood at the studio entrance. His sharply defined face looked colder than the December air.
“I’m going on a business trip,” he said calmly. “Doris can’t manage him alone. I’ll have to trouble you to take care of Rowan for the next few days.”
Sophia wasn’t feeling well–and she certainly wasn’t in the mood for him.
“Tine. But when you come back to pick him up-” her voice was cold, “-bring the divorce papers.”
Without waiting for a reply, she turned and walked inside, Rowan clinging to her arms.
Vincent remained there for a moment, staring at the closed door.
Then he turned and left without a word.
Inside the rest room, Sophia laid Rowan gently onto the bed and let out a long sigh.
“Take off your coat. Time for sleep.”
Rowan was unusually well–behaved to
He slipped off the puffy jacket and handed to her.
“Mommy, can you hang this up for me? Thank y
you!”
Sweet as always.
Sophia smiled faintly and hung it up before joining him on the bed.
Rowan wrapped his arms around hers.
“Mommy… are you mad that I went to see that lady?”
Sophia blinked, then sighed and hugged him gently.
“She’s the one who gave birth to you. I know it’s hard
to
accept, but without her, there wouldn’t be you. So… don’t call her ‘that lady,‘ okay?”
Rowan’s small frown eased.
He had been worried–terrified–that she’d abandoned him.
But hearing that?
Hearing her say it calmly?
His fears melted away.
He closed his eyes with a contented smile.
“Mommy, no matter who gave birth to me… I’ll always love you the most.”
Sophia’s heart softened. She brushed a hand over his soft cheek.
“And Mommy promises…. if you ever need me, I’ll always be here.”
“You said it, okay?” Rowan yawned. “You can’t lie. Lying makes your nose grow!”
Sophia chuckled, her irritation fading.
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Chapter 14
She kissed his forehead.
“Mommy never lies. Sleep well.”
His only response was a soft, even breath.
It was winter break. Rowan didn’t have to go to school.
Sophia had taken on a high paying restoration job. The deadline was tight.
For two straight days, Rowan stayed with her at the studio.
When she was too busy, Betty and the team helped watch him. Rowan had been coming around for years–everyone adored him.
By the third afternoon, around 2 PM, Sophia finally finished the restoration.
She stepped out of the lab and sent a message to Karina, her friend who worked in OB–GYN.
Sophia: [Are you working this afternoon?]
Karina: [Yep! Why?]
Sophia: [Can you hold me a slot? I’ll be there around 3:30.]
Karina: [Wait–WHAT? Are you… pregnant??]
Sophia: [Not sure. I’m about ten days late, and my stomach’s been off.]
Karina: [Ten DAYS and you haven’t tested yet?!]
Sophia: [I bought a test, just… forgot.]
Karina: [Sophia!! You forgot?? You’re always working yourself to death. I wouldn’t be surprised if you collapsed in the restoration room one day.]
Sophia: [I get it, I get it…]
Back in the office, Rowan was asleep on the sofa. The little blanket had fallen to the floor.
An unfinished meal sat on the table.
Sophia picked up the blanket, tucked it around him, cleaned up the leftovers, and wiped the table.
She sank into the opposite couch, wiping sweat from her brow.
The discomfort in her belly returned. She remembered the pregnancy test in her bag.
Just as she was about to get up, Betty walked in.
“Sophia, someone downstairs wants to see you.”
The café on the ground floor was warm and quiet.
Sophia walked in and immediately saw the woman seated in the far corner.
Doris.
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Chapter 14
She wore dark sunglasses, her gaze following Sophia’s every step.
Sophia wore a soft beige dress with a muted blush coat wrapped around her. Her long hair fell smoothly down her back. She wasn’t striking in the conventional sense–but her pale skin and quiet elegance gave her an untouchable air.
There was a stillness to her.
Like water.
Doris stood with a gentle smile.
“Sophia, thank you for coming. Please, sit.”
Sophia didn’t.
“I don’t see a need for private meetings between us,” she said calmly.
“If you have something to say, say it now.”
Doris removed her sunglasses slowly.
“It’s clear you don’t like me,” she said softly. “And I understand. I only learned recently that Vincent kept this from you. But he did it for my sake. I hope you won’t hold it against him.”
Sophia’s lips curved faintly. Her voice stayed light.
“I don’t blame anyone. My marriage to Vincent was a mutual agreement. As for Rowan–he’s your child. You have every right to be reunited with him.”
“You really think so?”
Sophia’s brow lifted. Her patience was thinning.
“Did you ask me here to discuss my thoughts?”
Doris looked at her closely.
Sophia was… far more composed than she had expected.
Too composed.
A woman like this–who had been by Vincent’s side for five years–posed a threat, no matter how softly she spoke.
But Doris was back now.
And Sophia’s part in this story was over.
She reached into her bag and pulled out a file.
A divorce agreement.
She placed it on the table and slid it toward Sophia.
“Vincent wants you to keep the Moonlight Villa. In addition, he’s offering you fifty million dollars–as compensation for the last five years. If everything looks acceptable… you can sign it.”
Author’s Note:
Oof. Doris came with the deal. But Sophia… she’s not that easy to buy out.
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