Chapter 15
Sophia didn’t even glance at the agreement. She looked straight at Doris.
“Tell Vincent,” she said evenly. “my lawyer will be in touch about the divorce.”
With that, she turned to leave.
But Doris stood up quickly.
“Sophia,” she called gently. “Is… is Rowan with you?”
Sophia paused. Half–turned.
Doris’s voice was soft, threaded with something like hope. “It’s been days. I haven’t seen him. Would you mind if I came up to see him?”
Sophia didn’t want Doris stepping into her studio.
But Rowan was Doris’s son. After the divorce, she wouldn’t even legally be his foster mother.
She hesitated–just as a familiar, childish voice rang out from behind.
“Mommy!”
Sophia turned.
Rowan was already running toward her.
He flung himself into her arms. She caught him instinctively, her hand reaching up to ruffle his hair. “Why’d you come down by yourself?”
“Betty took the elevator with me,” he explained. “She saw me enter the café before she left.”
Still holding her tightly, he buried his cheek against her. “Mommy, you’ve been gone so long–I missed you!”
Sophia smiled faintly, helplessly.
That boy really knew how to work her heart.
The warmth of their interaction landed like a slap in Doris’s chest.
She wobbled slightly where she stood, her already pale face going whiter still.
“Rowan…”
The boy stiffened.
His eyes met Doris’s tear–bright ones.
He hesitated, the arms around Sophia loosening.
Sophia felt the tension shift in him. She was about to help him down when the sound of footsteps approached.
“Doris.”
It was Vincent.
Tall and severe in his black overcoat, his presence cut through the room like a cold draft.
Sophia watched as he strode over to Doris.
Without a word, he took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders–covering her from head to toe.
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Chapter 15
Protecting her.
Enveloping her.
Sophia’s breath caught in her throat. Pain surged through her chest, sudden and sharp.
Vincent leaned in, speaking softly to the woman in his arms. “There are photographers outside.”
Doris gasped, hands tightening in his coat.
The once famous face hid itself against his chest.
Vincent wrapped his arms around her and began to walk out.
As they passed Sophia, he said without looking at her:
“Bring Rowan home. I’ll pick him up later.”
Not a request.
A notification.
Sophia stood frozen as they left.
Through the café’s glass wall, she watched Vincent shield Doris all the way to the car.
Not a strand of her hair showed. He didn’t even let the wind touch her.
He opened the car door. She climbed in. He followed. The Maybach pulled away.
Sophia looked down at the divorce papers in her hand.
4
Her fingers tightened.
She bit her lip hard–fighting the sting in her eyes, forcing the heat back down.
“Mommy?”
Rowan’s voice tugged her back.
She looked at him. His face was small, sweet, full of concern.
“Are you okay?”
Sophia forced a breath into her lungs and smiled faintly. “I’m fine.”
This was between the adults.
Rowan shouldn’t have to carry any of it.
“Mommy,” he tugged her hand, his voice coaxing. “Can you come home with me? Please? I haven’t seen Daddy in days. I really miss him.”
Sophia let out a quiet sigh.
“…Alright, I’ll take you home.”
“Yes!” Rowan lit up, hugging her waist. “Mommy, you’re the best!”
She smoothed a hand over his hair.
Looking at his innocent, trusting little face, Sophia felt her heart twist.
13:42
Chapter 15
Five years of marriage.
All that remained was this one child’s unwavering love,
Everything else was lies.
All of it… just a dream she had told herself to believe in.
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