Rey’s pov ;Two days later, news broke out that Jack had been expelled from school.I read the group chats. “It’s what he deserves. He slandered others without knowing the truth of the matter. We who just joined in the fun were even criticised by the counsellor.”“What kind of deep hatred does he have with Sophie? He’s so despicable to spread such rumors.”"Who would dare to be friends with such a person? I wouldn't. I'm afraid that one day he’ll stab me in the back and spread rumours about me.”Suddenly, I received a text from him.Jack hadn’t yet left the grade group chat. He must have turned purple with rage. “It’s all that woman’s fault. I just posted a few messages. Should I be expelled from school for that?I smirked. He blamed Sophie for everything, of course.“Rey, who is Sophie? Is there someone protecting her?”I replied, “How is that possible? She’s just a poor country girl. What kind of background could she have?”Jack responded, “But I've been expelled from school now. Wh
Sophie’s pov ;I didn’t even remember how I ran back to the bedroom. My mind was blank, my feet moving on instinct. Everything after that…it was like a haze. My entire face felt like it was on fire, my body practically burning from the embarrassment.The only thing I remember clearly was slamming the door behind me and hiding. Leaning against the door, I could hear his footsteps as he walked into the bathroom, the sound of the shower turning on, the steady stream of water hitting the tiles. My heart was pounding so loudly, I wondered if he could hear it from the other side of the door.Eventually, the water stopped, and his footsteps echoed again as he left the bathroom. I didn’t even dare to breathe until I heard the sound of the master bedroom door closing. Only then did I let out the breath I’d been holding.Without thinking, I slipped off my shoes and climbed into bed, pulling the quilt up over my head, trying to hide from my own thoughts. But everything was so quiet. The only sou
Sophie’s pov ;I left Dominic’s car feeling like the world was brighter and lighter. All my doubts from earlier had disappeared, and I felt silly for ever having questioned him.Sir may be cold and distant at times, but I was beginning to see him differently. Behind that serious exterior, he was kind, steady, and always responsible. He may have scolded me a little too harshly sometimes, but his words were often what I needed to hear.As I entered the school grounds, clutching my cane, I could hardly contain my happiness. Just this morning, I’d felt so down, but now I felt like I was walking on air. It must’ve been obvious to anyone watching—I probably looked like a kid on a field trip.The school grounds were busier than usual, and I noticed a crowd rushing in one direction.“Oh my god, Amanda is actually here at school. She just won the first prize in the Financial Cup Competition!” someone said excitedly.“Yeah, and don’t forget, she’s the fiancée of the richest man in London!”I ca
Sophie’s pov ;I stood there a bit longer, waiting for Dominic, but he never showed up. The streetlights were beginning to flicker on, and the sky was darkening.Carolyn noticed I was still there and suggested going home together.But I gave her a small smile and shook my head. “You haven’t eaten dinner yet. Go back first. I can get home on my own.”She looked concerned, glancing at the shadows stretching across the sidewalk. “Is your home far away? I don’t mind taking you.”“No, it’s nearby. Really, I’ll be fine,” I reassured her.It was just as well, since the class monitor called for her, giving me the perfect excuse to send her off.But as I started on my way home alone, I noticed the pathway was dimmer than usual, and there were fewer people out tonight. I tried to keep calm, even as my grip tightened around my cane.Then, out of nowhere, a tall, bulky figure emerged in front of me. He looked at me with a vicious expression, and I felt a jolt of fear.“So, I finally caught you,”
Domonic’s pov ;With Sophie asleep in my arms, I turned to face Jack and his two bastard friends. My gaze locked onto them. They stood there, shaking like cowards, terror plain on their faces. One of them—the fool, Jack—stammered out his pleas.“Mr. Williams, Mr. Williams, we didn’t know she was…if I’d known she was connected to you, I swear I wouldn’t have done anything to her, not in a million years.”My stare hardened, colder than death itself. These idiots dared to touch her. They had no idea the chasm of their mistake, but they’d understand soon enough.“Find out their identities. Bankrupt those who should be, and for those who don’t belong in London…I want them out…”My men didn’t need further instruction. They knew my family was my only weakness, the one place no one could touch without consequence.These morons clearly had a death wish. With a single move, I could strip them of everything, turn their lives to rubble. And I would. They would be bankrupt, driven out, unable to e
Sophie’s pov ;The next morning, I messaged Carolyn to ask for her help with the teacher. “Carolyn, I have a follow-up eye exam today,” I told her. “Could you ask for leave for me? I’m afraid the teacher might call my name.”“Of course. Is your leg okay? When do you think you’ll be back?”“I’m fine,” I reassured her, “I’ll be back after the checkup. Thanks, Carolyn.”After ending the call, a notification popped up on my screen: “The emergency contact has sent you a message: ‘I have something urgent to do and cannot come to your school in time. I will ask my assistant to drive to the East Gate to pick you up.’”I sighed. If only I had heard this message yesterday. I could’ve avoided what happened…maybe I wouldn’t have been walking home alone.Daniel, Sir’s assistant, drove me to the hospital. As he maneuvered through traffic, he glanced back at me in the rearview mirror. “Mrs. Sophie, I’ll park at the East Gate for pickups next time. The regular gate doesn’t allow waiting.”I nodded. “
Sophie’s pov :Due to all the crying and stress, my eyes were red and puffy, and the doctor had even prescribed eye drops to help. I'd never used them before, so when I got home and tried to put them in myself, it was harder than I’d thought.Every time the dropper neared my eye, my lids would squeeze shut on instinct. After wasting several precious drops, I realized I wasn’t going to get it on my own.Reluctantly, I turned to Dominic.“Sir, can you help me put some eye drops in?” I asked, feeling more than a little embarrassed.Dominic put down whatever he was working on and came over without hesitation. “Give me the eye drops.”“Yes, Sir,” I replied, handing him the small bottle. I felt his fingers press lightly against my chin as he tilted my face up and raised the bottle over my eye, but each time he moved to squeeze, my eyes kept closing tightly.He paused, then tilted his head thoughtfully. “Open your mouth,” he instructed.“Ah?” I blinked at him, completely puzzled. My eyes nee
Sophie’s pov ;I carefully wrote down today’s date and the costs for the exam and medication in my little notebook.I fumbled with the pen, making sure to add the supplements and nutrients that Sir had been buying for me, even though I didn’t know how much they cost.For someone with an ordinary family like his, all these expenses—especially that eight-digit surgery fee—must have drained his savings and probably left him with some debt.Sir never brings up these things, but I can’t forget. Every little bit of his kindness is etched in my memory, whether he realises it or not.Once I’d finished writing, I tucked the account book into the bedside table and carefully hid it away. I was about to turn off the light when memories of that night crept back into my thoughts.Just once…Will it really only happen once? We only did it just one time. I swallowed, a strange heat flooding me. Is it enough to make me pregnant?But why hasn’t he asked me to fulfil my role as his wife again? Maybe he d
Sophie’s pov :ONE YEAR LATER ;The air was filled with laughter, music, and the sweet scent of flowers as Brandon and Ava’s wedding reception unfolded in full swing.The grand ballroom was beautifully decorated with cascading floral arrangements, twinkling lights, and elegant table settings. Everyone was dressed to the nines, and the atmosphere was nothing short of magical. I stood near the edge of the room, holding a glass of sparkling water, my heart swelling with happiness for my brother and his new bride.Dominic stood beside me, his hand resting gently on the small of my back. He looked as handsome as ever in his tailored black tuxedo, his presence commanding yet comforting. I couldn’t help but steal glances at him, still in awe of how lucky I was to have him by my side.As the evening progressed, Brandon and Ava took to the stage to thank everyone for coming. Brandon’s voice was warm and filled with gratitude, while Ava’s eyes sparkled with joy. They were the picture of happine
Brandon’s pov :As we stepped outside the hospital, my eyes immediately caught sight of an expensive car parked nearby. It was sleek, modern, and screamed luxury. Sophie’s face lit up the moment she saw it.“That’s my husband’s car!” she said, her voice filled with excitement.I raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. “Won’t you introduce me to him?” I asked, trying to sound casual.Sophie blushed but nodded, her cheeks turning a soft shade of pink. Before I could say anything else, the car door opened, and a man stepped out.Sophie didn’t hesitate. She ran to him, her steps light and joyful, and threw her arms around him in a tight hug. “Sir!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with affection.I froze. Sir? My eyes widened as I took in the man standing before me. Tall, impeccably dressed, with an aura of power and authority that was impossible to ignore. And then it hit me—this wasn’t just any man. This was Dominic Williams.My throat tightened, and I choked on my own breath. This was the
Brandon's pov :I stood in the study, my arms crossed, as Rey walked in nervously. She looked around, her eyes darting between me and my father, Jason. The tension in the room was palpable, and I could tell she knew something was wrong."Brother, what do you want from me?" Rey asked, her voice trembling slightly.I didn’t waste any time. "Rey, why is there an error in Bella’s DNA test result?"Her eyes widened, and she stammered, "This... I don’t know either. Maybe the organization made a mistake."I couldn’t help but sneer. "Mistaken? Do you know that if such an institution makes a mistake in the appraisal results, it will face a claim of millions?"In other words, these strictly regulated institutions never make mistakes. Rey’s excuse was flimsy at best."I asked John to do this. Could it be that she..." Rey tried to shift the blame to the servant, but I wasn’t having it."I just asked John and she said that when she went to the café to get a cup, there were two cups on the table,"
Ava’s povI watched as Rey tried to play her little games, but she seemed to have forgotten one crucial detail—Christopher is my biological brother. How could an outsider like her possibly sow discord between siblings who share the same blood? It was almost laughable.Christopher glanced at her indifferently, his expression cold and unreadable. "Oh," he said simply, dismissing her attempt to gain his sympathy.Rey was left speechless, her carefully prepared words stuck in her throat. I hid my smile behind my teacup, taking a sip to conceal my amusement. My brother’s ability to see through people’s intentions was sharper than mine. Even he could see through Rey’s White Lotus act."Mr. Carpenter, I have something to tell you. Can we go out and talk?" I asked, turning to Brandon."Sure," he replied, standing up and following me out to the courtyard.As we walked, I noticed Rey’s anxious expression. She clearly wanted to follow us, but she couldn’t just leave Christopher alone in the room
Sophie’s pov :I was sitting on the lawn, still feeling a bit sore from last night’s… activities with the Sir, when I heard a familiar voice call out to me."Bella, I didn’t expect you to be so good at fighting green tea."I turned around, surprised and delighted to see Ava walking toward me. "Ava! Why are you here?"She grinned and sat down next to me. "Luckily, I came, otherwise I would have missed your green tea show."I blushed, realizing she must have seen me earlier, wearing all that jewelry to make a point. Embarrassed, I started taking off the necklaces and rings, putting them back into my bag.Ava raised an eyebrow. "Bella, you look so good wearing it. Why are you taking it off?"I groaned, feeling my cheeks heat up even more. "Don’t make fun of me. I was just trying to piss them off."Who would wear so many jewels out of nowhere? It was way too heavy, and my neck and fingers were already tired. I couldn’t wait to take it all off.Ava chuckled, clearly understanding my person
Sophie’s pov :The next day, I walked into school with an awkward posture, my legs feeling sore and unsteady. I was terrified that someone would notice, but of course, my friends did."Bella, what's wrong with you?" Carolyn asked, her voice filled with concern as she eyed me carefully.My face flushed red, and I quickly came up with an excuse. "It's nothing. I had a leg cramp when I slept yesterday. It hurts a little."Carolyn frowned, still looking worried. "Please sit down and have a rest. You have physical education class later. What are you going to do?"I sighed, already dreading the thought of running or doing any kind of physical activity. "Let me talk to the teacher and see if I can ask for leave."When the teacher arrived, I used my menstruation as an excuse, and to my surprise, she granted me leave. Normally, this teacher is very strict and rarely allows students to skip PE, no matter how unwell they claim to be. But for some reason, she was particularly lenient with me. May
Dominic’s pov :After coming out to pour a glass of water, I couldn’t shake the growing discomfort in my chest. The house felt too quiet, too empty, even though Sophie was just in the other room.I glanced at the clock—it was just past ten. In the past, the little girl would sit on the sofa and wait for me to get off work, no matter how late it was.Even if I told her countless times not to wait, she’d stubbornly stay up, her eyes drooping with sleep but her determination unwavering. She’d always greet me with that soft, sleepy smile, and it made coming home worth every second.But now? She was already asleep.I frowned, the wrinkles between my brows deep enough to pinch a fly to death. Was this what they meant when they said couples eventually lose their passion and become more like family? We’ve only been married for less than a year, and already she’s so… perfunctory with me. What would happen in the future? The thought made my chest tighten uncomfortably. I didn’t like it. Not one
Sophie’s pov :It all started with the rumors on the forum. Someone had posted that I, Sophie, had married a poor and ugly man. Honestly, I wasn’t angry. People say all sorts of things, and I’ve learned to brush them off.But Edwin, my cousin, couldn’t stand it. He was furious. How could anyone call Sir—Mr. Williams—poor and ugly? Edwin thought the people spreading these rumors were blind and stupid. He decided to take matters into his own hands.One day after school, Edwin secretly followed me. When I ran toward the Sir like a butterfly, Edwin snapped a few photos. He posted them on the forum, but to protect Sir’s identity, he only released blurry side profile photos. Still, the Sir’s tall, straight figure and his aloof aura were enough to win over a lot of female fans.The post was titled: Rumors Debunked: Sophie’s Boyfriend is a Handsome Guy! His Net Worth is a Mystery, He is Definitely Not a Poor and Incompetent Man!As soon as the photos were released, the forum exploded. Comment
Rey’s pov :I walked into Amanda’s room, my expression carefully arranged into one of concern. She was sitting by the window, her face pale and her eyes red-rimmed. It was clear she’d been crying. Good. The more upset she was, the easier it would be to manipulate her. I needed her to deal with Sophie for me, and for that, she had to be motivated.“Amanda, what’s wrong with you?” I asked, my voice soft and sympathetic. I sat down beside her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. She turned to me, tears silently streaming down her face. My mind raced. What had happened?“Why are you crying?” I pressed, my tone gentle but probing. “Who bullied you? Was it Sophie?”Amanda closed her eyes, as if the mere mention of Sophie’s name pained her. She didn’t answer immediately, and I felt a flicker of impatience. I needed her to talk, to give me something to work with.Finally, she spoke, her voice trembling. “Rey, tell me, should I not like Dominic? I saw the pictures… he brought that neckl