CHAPTER. 3

Sophie pov.

I had been staying at Luca’s house for about a week. Initially, I was too troubled to notice the beauty of the house's interiors, spending most of my time locked in my room, where a private chef would bring up my meals.

Feeling better, I ventured into the living room and finally appreciated its elegance—white sofas adorned with soft cushions in varying shades of gray, and gray curtains draping from ceiling to floor, framing a stunning view of the garden outside. Staircase-like chandeliers hang from the high ceilings. A sleek, black, dull marble panel serves as the base for the TV, creating a striking contrast with the light-toned walls and adding a modern touch—a perfect blend of color and texture. I sighed and collapsed onto the sofa—he really was a genius.

Luca occasionally came to see me after work, and we talked about some design topics. I was astonished at how many innovative ideas he had—after all, Luca was a pioneering designer—and I couldn’t help but be attracted by his charm. Despite enjoying his company, I was also grateful for having enough time to be alone to sort myself out.

After wandering around and appreciating the aesthetic sight Luca’s house had to offer, I eventually retreated to my room. It was time to confront the decision I had been avoiding: could I forgive Alex?

I grimaced as I recalled his betrayal, but memories of our sweet moments softened my expression. I hadn’t slept well, not when I was used to Alex’s comforting cuddling and the lullabies he hummed when I struggled to sleep. Wrapping my arms around myself and curling up with my knees to my chest, I craved his warmth. His sweet smile, which lit up his blue eyes, was etched in my mind, and I couldn’t shake the longing for him. I sprawled on the bed—it wasn’t his, yet I desired it to be.

After drowning in memories for a while, I jolted upright. Alex needed to know that we were going to have a child. After all, he was the father. I love him and I don’t want to give up on him. A soft smile crept across my lips as I imagined his reaction.

How wide would his smile be?

I can’t wait to see him.

It was 30 minutes away from Alex's company. Thirty- minutes of restraining myself from telling the driver to go faster, of being unable to concentrate, not even when my favourite genre of music came on. Thirty minutes and anymore I could have died of the rippling sensation growing in my stomach.

As I stepped out of the car, I hastened my pace, almost tripping but quickly regaining my composure. I had one thing carved into my mind—my happiness with Alex.

But my fake utopia was soon shaken.

My eyes widened as I saw a large screen at the entrance of the company displaying the pre-wedding photo shoot. The image showcased Alex in a perfectly tailored suit. Beside him stood Mia, adorned in a luxurious white gown, her hair cascading over her shoulder, framing a face radiant with happiness. The most striking detail was the Hamilton family crest around her neck—a piece of jewelry symbolizing great prestige. I had never been recognized by Cathy, which meant I had never had the chance to wear a wedding dress or the family crest. I knew Alex loved me, and I didn’t want to make it hard for him to provide those things for me.

But now, it’s just been a week, and he was about to get married to Mia, even after all his incessant begging that night.

My pace quickened, but this time not out of excitement; the sweet fluttering in my stomach was set ablaze by the news, setting a painful heat that coursed through my entire being.

I took the elevator to the top floor, my ears shutting out any greetings as I made my way to his office.

“Alex, what’s the meaning of that?” I yanked the door open, my voice trembling with anger.

My eyes widened at the sight of Cathy and the home wrecker—Mia.

“What are you doing here?” Cathy yelled, rising to her feet. “How dare you run away from home and show up here to embarrass Alex? You really had the audacity to crawl back here.” Her eyes gleamed with all-hell fury.

“I came to—,” I began.

"Oh, you must come back for money." Cathy crossed her arms, hatred pulling every inch of her face into a frown.

"You will not get any more money from us. You’ve always been a gold digger, thought you could charm your way into some fortune, right? Did you really think you could just come back and everything would fall back into place? It’s pathetic. Nothing is going to stop Alex from marrying Mia." A victorious smile played on her thin lips.

With a final sneer, Cathy stepped back, as if to guard against any further intrusion. "So, run along now. Find another rich fool to leech off, because you’re certainly not getting anything more from us.

In an instant, she interrupted me, showing no concern for me. It dawned on me that discussing the pregnancy was pointless, as it wouldn't change anything.

Mia stepped in with her demeanor. “Oh, Sophie, please think about the baby. Think about Alex,” she uttered, placing her hand on her belly and rubbing it delicately. “For the sake of Alex’s happiness, you really should divorce him. This is for the future of the family,” she added, her voice dripping with pretense.

Mia tucked her hair behind her ears, pausing as if she expected applause. “I mean, wouldn’t it be the right thing to do? I’m sure you can understand how important an heir means for Alex and how important it is for a child to grow up in a loving and stable home,” she added her sick smile that always hid her wicked intent towards me.

“It’s not fair to any of us for you to hang on to a marriage that’s already over. You wouldn’t want to be selfish, would you?” Her tone was overly belittling.

“I gave him what you can’t give. So, it’s time to move on, for all of our sakes.” Mia patted her belly once more, as if to emphasize her point, and looked at me with an air of smug satisfaction.

As her words echoed, I clenched my fist, and battling to keep my composure.

The bitter truth I had locked away in the part of my mind where I stored things I wished to forget came crashing back in. Her words stung my heart like a thousand bees, rendering me speechless.

I burst into streams—oceans of tears as my heart went wild in pain, tearing every part of me.

“Aren’t you pitiful?” Cathy’s sharp words cut through me like a blade.

“Alex and Mia's marriage will be held soon.” She notified me. “I hope you vanish as you did before, but this time never appear again.” She threw the divorce file to me.

Realization had never been so cruel that even if I had Alex’s child, I still wouldn’t and couldn’t earn Cathy’s recognition. There would always be Mia and her baby standing between Alex and me.

My life never revolved around material things, and I never viewed Alex as a means to elevate myself. I had loved him with every inch of me. But I deserved the respect.

“I’m never interested in his money or house. You can keep it all,” I said, my voice steady and filled with quiet resolve. “I’ll sign the divorce papers.”