Jared's POVI was an unworthy father.I didn't even get to see Molly one last time.'How scared she must have been in those final moments, lying there with all those tubes sticking out of her tiny body!'I couldn't let my mind linger on it. It hurt too much.But Sophia didn't seem to have any intention of explaining this. Molly was fine before.I wanted to demand answers, but the shattered look in her eyes silenced me.I thought about staying by her side, but she shut me out of the door.She didn't want me around, and I respected her decision.With a heavy heart, I turned away and headed to Mia's hospital room.She was still alive. That much I could hold onto.I couldn't let what happened to Molly happen to her.When I stepped into the room, Mia was fast asleep. She lay there, wrapped in bandages, looking so small and fragile.I approached her bedside, clearing my throat softly.Her eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, she blinked in disbelief. "Am I dreaming?""No, Mi
Sophia's POV"Are you sure you don't need me to stay?" Alexander asked, his voice laced with worry."No, it's fine." I shook my head, glancing at the black urn sitting on the cabinet. Molly is here with me."I reached out to gently run my fingers across its smooth surface.Alexander hesitated. "Alright. Call me if you need anything. I'll be here."Before I could respond, Jared stormed in like a hurricane."Bastard!" he shouted, punching Alexander square in the chest. "How dare you mess with my wife?"Alexander was knocked to the floor."Jared, stop it!" I screamed, rushing to grab his arm and pull him back. "This is a misunderstanding!""A misunderstanding? You can explain it to Satan when you're dead!" he spat, raising his fist again.Alexander dodged and retaliated with a swift kick to Jared's side. Jared staggered, his fury intensifying."Stop it, both of you!" I shouted, clutching my chest as a sharp pain radiated through it. "Do you want to go to jail? If you keep this
Sophia's POV"What did you just say? I am blaming you?" I screamed at him.I had been by Molly's side every single day.Jared sneered, pulled out a thick stack of photos, and flung them into my face.They scattered everywhere, and I had to bend down to pick them up.But when I saw the picture on top, I was struck dumb."Go ahead. How are you going to explain these?" Jared leaned over and snatched pictures from my hands. "Gonna spin another story now?"Every angle in the photos was calculated, making it look like Alexander and I were closer than we actually were.They were real, but they didn't tell the full story.I lifted my head and looked at him, trying to explain. But the moment our eyes met, I knew there was no point.He didn't believe me, so no amount of explanation would change his mind."If I hadn't seen these with my own eyes, I might've kept thinking you were a good mother." Jared's voice boomed through the room. "But you've let me down. If you want to divorce me
Sophia's POVI didn't know what brought Charlotte there.Jared and I looked over at the same time.She seemed oblivious to the tension in the air.She was even smiling at us."Why are you here?" Jared asked, his tone softening."Jared," Charlotte replied gently, "I thought about it, and I realized I needed to come see Sophia. I have to explain myself."The sight of her face made my stomach churn. I knew exactly who she was and what she'd done."Were you two arguing?" Charlotte asked, blinking innocently. "What's going on here?""Just stay out of it," Jared said. "Go home. Mia needs you.""No," she insisted, her tone earnest. "I can't avoid this anymore. I came here today to make things right with Sophia. I don't want to see you two fighting because of me. I know I've caused so much trouble for your family. I hope you can fix your relationship. Once Mia gets better, we'll leave this city."She stepped closer, her every move deliberate."Look how considerate she is," Jared mu
Sophia's POVBlood kept pouring from my throat.I wiped my mouth again and again, but it was useless.I should've called an ambulance, but the thought of it made me laugh bitterly.I had no money left, not after pouring every cent I had into Molly's treatment.Jared hadn't sent a cent since the day she was admitted to the hospital.Through the haze of pain and nausea, I couldn't help but wonder how my marriage had reached this point.Once, our story had felt like something out of a romance drama.I was trapped in a burning building, and he saved me like a hero."It's okay, Miss. You're safe now," he said, his voice hoarse yet soothing.He carried me out of the flames and set me in a safe spot.From that moment, I knew that if I were ever to marry, it would be to a man like him.And I did marry him.Back then, everyone told me how lucky I was. I thought so too.But now? Our marriage was coming to an end.There was no point in clinging to it anymore.I clenched my fists,
Sophia's POV"I've sent the email to Jared," Alexander said, looking up at me with a pained expression. "I'll let you know when he replies.""Thank you, Alexander." I closed my eyes and heaved a deep sigh.Finally, I was going to be free from him.For the first time in weeks, the pain in my stomach didn't feel as unbearable."At first, I thought you were wrong to hide your illness from Jared," Alexander said, his brows furrowed as if still weighing the morality of it all. "But the more I think about it, the more I understand your perspective. If he cared about you, he'd move heaven and earth to figure out what is wrong.""Exactly," I muttered, lowering my gaze to the IV drip hooked into my arm. "He doesn't know because he is all over Charlotte.""Take care of yourself," Alexander said softly, reaching out to touch my hand. "I've got work to do and will see you around.""I will." I forced a smile. "I'm not going to die so easily."Three days later, my condition finally stabiliz
Sophia's POV"Yeah, the divorce papers," Jared said impatiently. "I've seen them. But you haven't even given me a chance to explain. Why do you want to divorce me? Have I been that terrible to you?""Haven't you? Think about what you've done these past few days. Look at me and tell me you believe your own words," I challenged.He had been ignoring me. Our love had died long ago. I didn't understand why he was still holding on.He stared at me for a moment and sighed. "I know you're unhappy. That's why I want to talk.""You pursued me," he reminded me. "You were the one who begged to marry me. And now you just want to walk away without an explanation?"He sounded like I had failed him, but he was the one cheating on me. The irony was suffocating.I sneered, "An explanation? I liked you, but not anymore."If he hadn't turned his back on Molly and me, things wouldn't have come to this.There was one thing I couldn't deny, though. Back then, I had indeed pursued him.He'd been my
Sophia's POVThe apartment I rented was tiny. Even so, I couldn't bring myself to throw away any of Molly's things.I would never abandon her. I thought for a moment before packing some of her photos and toys into a box."Don't worry, baby. No matter where I go, I'll never forget you," I whispered, clutching her teddy bear and wiping away my tears.I didn't understand why it had to be this way. Molly and I had done nothing wrong. Yet we ended up suffering the most.With a sigh, I finished packing the toys and moved on to the bedroom Jared and I had shared.On the wall hung a large wedding photo. I could still remember how happy Jared looked when that photo was taken."I'll take care of you for the rest of our lives. With me, you won't have to worry about anything," he'd promised me that day."How did I ever believe you?" I muttered bitterly, tossing the photo into a garbage bag.He had changed so much, or he hadn't gotten over Charlotte at all."It must've been so hard for yo
Charlotte's POVI still hadn't won Jared over. It made me doubt my efforts.I had to escalate my plan, to shatter everything Sophia held dear."She's already lost her daughter and the home she fought so hard to keep," I mused, a smug smile spreading across my face as I rolled down the car window.My gaze locked onto the middle-aged woman standing anxiously across the street. Linda Holmes, Sophia's mother, was my next target.Linda was an innocent bystander, but her relationship with Sophia made her a pawn in my game. If Jared didn't care so deeply for Sophia, I wouldn't have to resort to such drastic measures.I stepped out of the car and approached her.Linda was dressed in a tailored suit, the epitome of a gentle university professor. Her soft demeanor mirrored Sophia's meekness, and I knew she wouldn't put up much of a fight.But the real advantage lay in her heart condition. Sophia's overprotectiveness had always revolved around Linda's fragile health, and I intended to exp
Charlotte's POV"I knew it. Jared wouldn't be so heartless," I squealed, leaping to my feet as the TV screen lit up with the image of me clinging to his arm.The footage was from months ago, back when we were still on good terms and when he didn't mind Mia and me hanging all over him.Now? He'd never allow it. But this was a sign—a chance to mend things.Jared could've demanded the clip be switched. The fire department had recorded plenty of segments. And the best part? Sophia would fight with him when she saw this.Jared's impression of her would sour. All I needed to do was get to Jared's place before he returned. No man could resist a gentle, apologetic woman. He'd come back to me.I raced to Jared's house, my heart pounding with anticipation. But when I arrived, the sight stopped me cold.This was Sophia's house once. The garden, once meticulously trimmed, was now overrun with weeds. If not for the faint glow of light inside, I'd have thought the place was abandoned."Jared
Sophia's POVAfter Jared lay down on the extra bed, he quickly fell asleep.Meanwhile, my stomach churned with pain, keeping me awake until dawn."Feeling better?" Jared asked eagerly as soon as I stirred. "Do you want something to eat? I'll go grab some breakfast." I wanted to drive him away, but his kind gestures gave me pause. I considered forgiving him, but Molly's death was an insurmountable barrier.Just as I was about to speak, my stomach growled. I could only nod slightly in response.He hurried out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I couldn't remember the last time I'd seen him so attentive.From the moment we married, his mantra had always been, "I have endless work, I'm sure you'll understand."At first, he would carve out some time for me, but over the years, those moments became fewer and farther between, filled out by sheer lies."Sophia?" Jared's voice pulled me from my thoughts, and I looked up to see him standing in the doorway, a breakfast tray
Sophia's POVAlexander held me carefully, lowering me onto the stretcher before they wheeled me back to my ward.He didn't relax until he was sure I was okay. Jared followed us the entire way. I simply ignored him."I didn't expect you to be here," I said."I came to bring you these." Alexander gestured to a file folder resting at the foot of my bed.Picking it up, he placed it in front of me. "I've prepared everything you asked for."I flipped through the documents. The divorce paperwork was all in order. All that was left was Jared's signature."Thank you." I met his gaze, my gratitude sincere. "Are you all right? Did you get hurt?""I'm fine," he replied, placing an exquisite package in front of me. "Oh, and I brought you your favorite donuts. Try them."Alexander and I had been out of touch for years, yet he still remembered what I liked. It was a small gesture, but it meant the world to me.Jared, on the other hand, had lived with me every day, yet he didn't even know wh
Sophia's POV"How could you do this to me?" Charlotte protested bitterly. "You promised to take care of me. Have you forgotten?" Jared stood firm, his voice steady but cold. "That was just friendly care. But not anymore. You hurt my wife. I can't just pretend nothing happened."Charlotte's face crumpled, and she wiped away her tears with a trembling hand. "Fine. I won't bother you anymore. I'll take care of Mia on my own."With that, she turned and ran off. Jared's expression remained stoic.He exhaled and turned to face me. "Trust me. I'll never have anything to do with her again."His belated regret meant nothing to me. Molly was gone, and so was our love. I'd given him countless chances, and he'd never cherished them. There was no turning back.I closed my eyes, shutting him out."Do you want something to eat? I can..." he added, his voice grating on my nerves like nails on a chalkboard.I itched to slap him and drive him away, but the pain in my stomach had drained me of
Sophia's POV"Wow, a damsel saving the hero." I clapped mockingly, ignoring the blood trickling down my hand. "After this little performance, will you two kiss and take it to bed?"I laughed with amusement, knowing it was a staged show."He's not your husband yet, is he?" I added, feigning regret.I knew she had been fantasizing about becoming Mrs. Anderson."Your hand is bleeding." Jared stepped toward me, reaching to staunch the bleeding.I jerked away, pressing my palm hard against the wound."Stop provoking her, Jared," Charlotte advised him with faux concern. "She probably needs space. This isn't good for her recovery."She deserved an Oscar for that performance."Spare me the act, Jared. It's nauseating," I scoffed.This frozen charade was ridiculous. If he adored her so much, he should sweep her into his arms and take her away immediately.Turning to Charlotte, who clung to his arm like ivy, I added, "Try harder. I'd love to hand this role over to you.""Can you stop
Sophia's POV"Mom, I'll always be by your side," Molly said. "I don't want to see you sad."Her figure slowly faded, becoming translucent before vanishing into the thin air."Go around the world and see it for me.""No."I woke up, tears streaming down my face, the dream still clinging to the edges of my consciousness. I wished I could stay asleep and be with Molly forever.She was such a sweet and lovely girl. She didn't deserve to leave this world at such a young age.Anger surged within me, a bitter taste in my mouth. 'It was all Jared's fault. Why did he have to do this to us?'I suddenly sensed a presence and jerked my head up.There, standing in the doorway, was Jared, holding a huge bouquet. On the small table next to him sat a massive cake."Sophia," he said softly. "You're finally awake. I've been waiting for so long.""What are you doing here?" I asked, surprised that he wasn't with Charlotte.He took a step closer, his hands shaking slightly as he brought the str
Sophia's POV'How dare Jared show up here? Is he here to push me over the edge and see me dead?' The thought seared through my mind as I coughed up a mouthful of blood.Jared rushed to my side, his face a mask of concern."How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice laced with an anxiety that seemed almost genuine.But I knew better. He didn't love me anymore; this was just another performance."Sophia, you need to calm down," he continued, reaching for my hand. "I just want to talk."But the moment his fingers brushed against mine, I recoiled as if burned.If he had even a shred of conscience left, he would leave right now."Did you not hear me?" I yelled, my voice raw with emotion. "If you want me alive, get out of my sight."He hesitated, then stammered, "Okay. Take it easy. I'll come back when you're feeling better."His tone was bitter, but I didn't care.I turned on my side, resting my weight against the headboard, and coughed weakly. My throat tasted like rusted iron, a
Jared's POV'What's happening? Why did Sophia collapse?' My mind raced, trying to piece together the sudden turn of events.I jerked my head up, my gaze darting frantically toward where Sophia had stood moments ago. Paramedics lifted her onto a stretcher and hurried out of the room.I had to follow them, to be by her side."Jared, I feel dizzy." Charlotte's voice, weak and pleading, pulled me back.She grabbed my arm, her body slumping against mine as if her legs could no longer support her. "Don't leave me. I can't breathe."Instinctively, I pulled her close, rubbing her back in slow, steady circles."Feeling better?" I murmured, my voice a soothing balm as I tried to reassure myself that Sophia would be okay.'She is tougher than Charlotte and can take care of herself. She will be fine,' I told myself, even as doubt gnawed at the edges of my consciousness.I focused on comforting Charlotte, her breathing gradually steadying under my touch. But the respite was short-lived."