Chapter 17
Sophia paused at the final step.
Her fingers were bone white around the pregnancy test in her hand.
Rowan, clinging to Vincent’s neck, looked over at her.
“Mommy, Daddy’s taking me out–do you want to come with us?”
Sophia’s eyes landed on her son… then slowly shifted to Vincent.
He wasn’t wearing his glasses today.
His eyes, always so dark and unreadable, revealed nothing.
Finally, he looked at her.
The same indifferent gaze.
“The past few days must’ve been tiring,” he said in that low, composed voice. “I’ll be staying in New York for a while. I’ll take over with Rowan.”
Each word was carefully chosen.
Gracious. Considerate. Distant.
Too distant.
Sophia felt her lips curl upward. Just a little.
A bitter, hollow twitch.
Her eyes stung.
She almost laughed.
She was laughing… at herself.
At the foolish flutter of hope that had bloomed inside her just thirty minutes ago when she saw the two red lines appear.
Rowan tilted his head, sensing something was off.
“Mommy?” he called again, more hesitantly this time.
Sophia looked at him.
He seemed anxious–like he was afraid she might actually say yes.
She was too tired to untangle it. Her voice was calm, quiet.
“Mommy’s not going. You go have fun with Daddy.”
She knew–of course she knew–Vincent was probably taking Rowan to see Doris.
But for some reason, it no longer mattered.
Rowan visibly relaxed.
“Then get some rest, okay Mommy?” he said sweetly. Then turned eagerly to Vincent.
“Let’s go, Daddy!”
13:42
Chapter 17
Vincent gave a nonchalant nod and turned to leave with Rowan in his arms.
As they passed the coffee table, his eyes caught on something–
A contract.
It was the divorce agreement.
Only, the bold words “DIVORCE AGREEMENT” were half–covered by one of Rowan’s toys.
Vincent’s steps slowed.
Sophia had been watching him.
The moment his gaze shifted, her breath caught.
She’d known he’d bring up divorce eventually.
She just hadn’t expected the paperwork to be delivered by his lover–Rowan’s birth mother.
Until today, she’d believed their marriage, though lacking in love,
e, at least held mutual respect.
But now she knew…
It had all been a lie.
An arrangement crafted with precision–built not for love, but to shield another woman.
Vincent had given up five years of his life to protect the woman he loved.
And in doing so, he’d built a prison for Sophia–wrapped in the illusion of marriage.
He’d watched her, day after day, give her heart to a child that wasn’t hers, while playing the role of a wife that was never truly wanted.
Five years.
Not once… had he felt guilty?
Sophia remembered the way Doris had smiled while handing over the divorce papers.
Her chest tightened.
Vincent reached toward the contract, brow slightly furrowed.
Sophia took a step forward, hand still clenching the test.
Her voice finally broke the silence.
“Vincent-”
“Let’s gooo!” Rowan whined, tugging at his father’s sleeve.
Vincent gave a faint smile.
“Alright. Let’s go.”
He turned–and walked away.
He never looked back.
Not once.
13:42
Chapter 17
Not at her.
Not at what she was holding.
Not at the tremble in her voice.
The front door opened. Closed.
A car engine rumbled to life.
And then silence.
Sophia stood frozen for a moment.
Then her legs gave out.
She slid down beside the couch, hand still gripping the test.
Two red lines stared back at her.
Blurry now–washed out by tears.
If Vincent had just looked at her–once–he would’ve seen.
He would’ve seen what she was holding.
But his eyes… like his heart… had never rested on her.
Not even for a second.
Sophia crouched there, tears streaking her face.
The villa was cavernous and cold.
Only the soft, broken sound of her sobbing filled the emptiness.
Half an hour later, she sent a photo via WeChat.
Sophia: [Here’s the result.]
Karina: [That’s a very accurate test. Come in tomorrow morning, fasting, and we’ll confirm.]
Sophia: [I want to schedule a termination.]
Karina: [!!!]
A second later, her phone began to ring.
♡ (2)
13:43
