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
Edwin’s pov ;I texted Carolyn about Sophie, I hoped to get some insight into her preferences. She was Sophie’s roommate, after all, so she had to know something.Carolyn’s reply came quickly:"You can ask if you want to, but I have to make it clear that I will never reveal anything involving Sophie’s privacy to you."“No problem,” I assured her. “I just want to find out about her preferences, nothing else. By the way, you and Sophie are roommates, right?”"Yes, we’re in the same dormitory. As for Sophie's preferences…” Carolyn paused for a moment before adding, “She likes to learn, works hard, and is very friendly to people."Not exactly the answer I was looking for, so I pressed a bit. “Do you know what type of boys she likes?”There was a pause before Carolyn replied, “Sophie’s aesthetic is…unique. She doesn’t seem to like guys who are too handsome.”That took me by surprise. “She doesn’t like handsome guys?”"Right. In her eyes, handsome guys are ugly-hearted and rude.” Carolyn ev
Sophie’s pov ;The weekend finally came, and while Sir was busy at the company, I headed over to the coffee shop for my second day of work.Yesterday went so smoothly I thought today would be just as uneventful. But fate had a different plan.Just as I was delivering an order—an iced Americano, a cappuccino, and a slice of Basque cheesecake—a voice pierced through my ears harsh and hostile."Is it you?"Confused, I set the tray down and glanced at the girl across from me. She had her arms crossed, staring me down as if I’d committed some unforgivable sin.Isn't she the popular girl Amanda from university.“Enjoy your meal,” I muttered politely, ready to leave the table.But she wasn’t done. “Wait,” I turned, trying to keep my expression neutral.“What can I do for you?”She looked me up and down, sizing me up as if I were some kind of merchandise on sale. “You're so poor that you have to come work in a coffee shop?”I gripped the tray tighter, trying to stay calm. “I don’t know you,”
Dominic’s pov ;I kept my arm around Sophie’s shoulders, feeling the tremor still in her frame.“I…I’m fine,” she whispered, her voice a bit shaky, but she looked up at me with wide worried eyes. “Sir, I called you so suddenly, would it interfere with your work?”Her question took me by surprise. She’d been scared out of her mind, yet now her biggest concern was whether she’d inconvenienced me. There was a softness in her I didn’t see often—almost vulnerable.I kept my gaze on her. “Contact me if you need anything anytime. Don’t overthink it. Otherwise, why did I buy you a phone?”Her shoulders eased a little, and I could tell the tension was starting to fade. But when I turned to Amanda, that tenderness I’d felt slipped away, replaced by an edge of disgust and annoyance.“Sir, she’s the one who came to the hospital before, accusing me of being a mistress,” Sophie explained, confusion and frustration in her voice. “But I don’t even know her.”My eyes narrowed as I looked Amanda up and
Sophie’s pov ;I know the Sir is strict with me because he wants me to be stronger, to rely less on him, and to start finding my own strength.I don’t want to be that little crybaby anymore, someone who can’t handle even a small breeze. One day, I want to be someone who can stand on her own and face any storm that comes her way.So, when he said in that firm tone of his, “Don’t go to work at the coffee shop anymore.”I knew he was only looking out for me."But, what if I still want to make money?" I asked, feeling a bit sheepish.“I’ll help you find a new job,” he replied. “Somewhere farther from school, so you won’t be targeted by Amanda again.”As usual, he made perfect sense. It wouldn’t do anyone any good if that crazy woman showed up again and caused trouble at the café. The manager there was so kind; it wouldn’t be fair to drag them into this mess.“Okay, thank you, Sir,” I said with a nod. “Next time I pass by the café, I’ll tell the manager I won’t be coming in anymore.”I fig
Sophie’s pov :After I changed into my comfortable clothes, I tried to brush off the odd feeling in my chest.Sir had helped me without so much as a second glance, not even hesitating. Here I was, face burning, hoping for some kind of reaction, and he barely noticed me at all.Not even a flicker of interest.Was I really that unattractive? I flopped onto the bed and grabbed my pillow, punching it with frustration."Stinky Sir," I muttered. "You're the one who's blind!"At dinner, I tried to brush it off, but Sir kept piling food onto my plate until it looked like a mini mountain.I grimaced, "Sir, I don’t have that big of an appetite.""Eat more, you're too thin," he replied, all calm and serious, his black hair still damp, and his face looking as cold as ever.His words hit me like a bolt. Was he saying I was so thin it was...unappealing? Was that why he wasn’t interested in me?I looked down at my body, scrutinizing myself. Sure, I wasn’t exactly curvy, but was I that boring? Embarr
Sophie’s pov ;After I changed into my comfortable clothes, I still felt a strange warmth blooming in my chest.Sir’s words from last night kept replaying in my mind. He’d said no one had the right to judge my body, that he just wanted me to be healthy.A gentle warmth crept over my skin again, like I was wrapped in something soft and sweet. Sir could be so cold and distant, but in his own way, he really cared. I couldn’t help smiling.The next morning, Aunt Rosa handed me a glass of red date soy milk, and I gulped it down with a new sense of ease.“Aunt Rosa, you don’t have to make this for me every morning now,” I said, feeling lighter.My heart was finally at peace; I didn’t need to change myself for anyone.Across the table, Sir looked up from his magazine. I caught a brief smile on his face before he masked it with his usual calm expression.I waved to him, grabbing my thermos for class. “Sir, I’m heading out now. Bye!”“Hmm,” he replied, still cool as always, but I felt his gaze
Sophie’s pov ;The moment I placed the strawberry mousse cake on the table, I felt like I was holding something priceless. I'd never bought a cake for myself before, much less one this big.Touching the tray beneath it, I frowned. “Sir, why is a six-inch cake so big? How can the two of us finish it?”Sir sat across from me, his expression impassive as usual.He simply replied, “If you can’t finish it, give the rest to Aunt Rosa. She has children at home.”I smiled, nodding eagerly. “That’s a great idea, Sir. You really do have a good heart.”He didn’t respond, only looked away with an odd expression. I knew that some people thought Sir was cold and distant, but I didn’t believe it. He’d always been so thoughtful, even if he hid it under that serious demeanor.I cut the cake and gave Sir the biggest piece, topping it with the best strawberries. I wanted him to enjoy this as much as I did, and as I took my first bite, my whole mouth filled with the creamy, sweet taste I’d always dreamed
Brandon’s pov ;I stood in front of my father’s desk, clutching a stack of papers so tightly my knuckles turned white. My throat was dry, and my lips trembled as I tried to gather my words. I hadn’t slept in over twenty-four hours, but that wasn’t the reason for the exhaustion weighing me down. It was the discovery I’d made—one that turned my entire world upside down.“Dad,” I finally said, my voice hoarse as I handed him the documents. “You need to see this.”My father, Jason Carpenter, had been scolding me just moments ago for being absent during critical company decisions. Normally, I would’ve explained myself, but this time I didn’t care about the business. Not when something far more important had come to light.He frowned, clearly irritated by my silence, but he took the papers from me anyway. “What is this?” he asked, flipping through the pages.I didn’t answer immediately. Instead, I watched him closely as his expression shifted from confusion to shock the moment his eyes land
Brandon’s pov ;I stood in front of my father’s desk, clutching a stack of papers so tightly my knuckles turned white. My throat was dry, and my lips trembled as I tried to gather my words. I hadn’t slept in over twenty-four hours, but that wasn’t the reason for the exhaustion weighing me down. It was the discovery I’d made—one that turned my entire world upside down.“Dad,” I finally said, my voice hoarse as I handed him the documents. “You need to see this.”My father, Jason Carpenter, had been scolding me just moments ago for being absent during critical company decisions. Normally, I would’ve explained myself, but this time I didn’t care about the business. Not when something far more important had come to light.He frowned, clearly irritated by my silence, but he took the papers from me anyway. “What is this?” he asked, flipping through the pages.I didn’t answer immediately. Instead, I watched him closely as his expression shifted from confusion to shock the moment his eyes land
Brandon’s pov ;I could feel the weight of the conversation with Ava pressing down on me as I walked away.My mind was racing, each new piece of information about Sophie sending my thoughts spiraling. The way Ava described her—her difficult family, the fact that she worked to make ends meet—it painted a picture I hadn’t fully realized until now.Sophie was struggling, yet she still managed to smile, to hold herself with such strength. It made me think back to everything I’d seen in her, every quiet moment she shared, every piece of her story that didn’t seem to quite fit.Her family didn’t treat her well, Ava had said. That sentence kept echoing in my mind. It was a painful reminder of the life Bella had left behind, the life she’d fought so hard to escape.And now, Sophie was in front of me, so similar to her in more ways than one, yet so different in others. She didn’t know who she truly was, didn’t know the depth of the blood running through her veins, and I couldn’t help but wonde
Edwin’s pov ;I stared at myself in the mirror, adjusting my collar for the fifth time. Everything had to be perfect today. I’d been planning this for weeks—no more doubts, no more second-guessing.Today, I was going to confess to Sophie. I had everything ready. The flowers, the chocolates, the carefully chosen outfit.I wanted to look charming, rustic, just the right amount of down-to-earth. Nothing too fancy, nothing too flashy. Sophie wasn’t like that. She liked simplicity.I’d checked my appearance over and over again. Hair neat, shirt slightly wrinkled just enough to seem like I wasn’t trying too hard. Perfect. I gave myself a quick nod of approval and took a deep breath. This was it.Grandma had called earlier, reminding me to bring a girlfriend back with me. I could almost hear her voice: “When you’re free, come and see Grandma. It would be best if you could bring a girlfriend back.”
Sophie’s pov ;Winning the title of campus belle of the University of Finance and Economics felt surreal. The ceremony was over, and as I stepped down from the stage, the buzz of excitement around me was overwhelming. My friends quickly surrounded me, all of them beaming with pride.Jenna was the first to congratulate me, practically jumping up and down. "Sophie, congratulations! I knew you could do it!"I couldn't help but smile, the sense of accomplishment filling me up. "Great, I got a bonus of 20,000 Pounds," I said, a little smugly. Money was real to me—it was something tangible, something I could actually use to ease the weight on my shoulders.Jenna grinned, teasing me, "You don’t care about the great honor, you only care about the bonus."I shrugged. "The money’s more important. I’ll take it over any false reputation any day."Yanran, always the proud one, added, "From today on, your name will be known throughout the university circles in London."I gave a small, indifferent s
Dominic’s pov :I sat in the private VIP suite, my eyes fixed on the stage below. The woman I had expected to be waiting for was not the one drawing all the attention—no, it was her. Sophie.I had been on my way to a meeting overseas, but something made me change my mind at the last minute.I’d canceled everything, rushing to get here, just to watch a simple student competition. I knew I was obsessed with her, but this... this was different. It felt like fate."Good thing I arrived in time," I thought, my fingers tapping restlessly on the armrest. "Otherwise, I would have missed it."She appeared later than the others, almost as if the universe itself had conspired to make sure I wouldn’t miss the moment when she walked on that stage. It was like everything was falling into place.The lights dimmed as the music began to play, and suddenly, Sophie opened her mouth. Her voice—so pure, so angelic—poured over the audience like a soft rain, filling the space. The chatter in the room ceased
Sophie’s pov ;The backstage was buzzing with nervous energy, and I could feel my heart racing. Everyone was busy running around, preparing for their moment in the spotlight. But for some reason, I couldn’t shake the tightness in my chest. Maybe it was because everything felt so out of my control.The makeup artist rushed over to me, her face filled with panic. "Every contestant is wearing heavy makeup, and all the cosmetics are used up. What should we do?" she said, her hands trembling as she looked at the empty makeup trays.I swallowed hard, not wanting to let the pressure get to me. "No need to worry. I can go on stage without makeup," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. I wasn’t nervous—I refused to be. But the situation was definitely not ideal.The makeup artist looked at me like I had just suggested I would walk on stage without clothes. "That’s not a good idea! The lighting on stage is harsh, and with
Rey’s pov ;I couldn’t believe my luck. Of all the things I had planned, of all the precautions I had taken, this was what I ended up walking into.Amanda had assured me everything was in place, that Sophie would be eliminated in the first round, and I couldn’t afford any slip-ups. With connections from both the Gu family and the Carpenter family among the judges, Sophie’s defeat was practically guaranteed.It was supposed to be foolproof. Sophie was nothing. A nobody. But if she managed to sneak through—if that bitch somehow advanced—everything I had worked for would crumble. The Carpenter family’s precious daughter, the one they had been obsessing over for years, would be found. And then, Sophie would be everywhere. In the media, on the news, in public—and I couldn’t let that happen.I left Amanda to take care of things, heading toward the audience. I had to get out of the back, away from all the cha
Sophie’s pov ;The contest day~~I couldn’t help but smile at the advice Jenna and Carolyn gave me. "Treat everyone as cabbages," they said.Sure, that was supposed to help me not get nervous. But I wasn’t really all that nervous to begin with. I mean, what was there to be nervous about? It was just a competition.Jenna was right, though. She was more nervous for me than I was for myself. “After all, this is your first time participating in such a big competition, so of course I am nervous for you,” she said with a soft smile.I appreciated it, but I didn’t feel the same way. The prize money was all that mattered to me; winning wasn’t some big milestone.Carolyn leaned in and whispered, “I heard that Senior Amanda is here too.”I instantly stiffened at the name. “Which Senior Amanda?” I asked, though I already knew who she meant.“It’s Amanda, Senior