Sophie’s pov ;As I sat on the sofa, watching Aunt Rosa bustle about in the kitchen, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy.This was the kind of warmth and ease a family should have—a comfortable atmosphere filled with gentle care and natural affection.Unlike me, Aunt Rosa’s daughter didn’t have to worry about housework or tending to siblings. She could just focus on being a child. I’ve been helping my parents with chores for as long as I can remember, running the store, taking care of my younger brother.I wasn’t a child who needed care for them; I was just…a tool.I never envied people with endless money, but I did envy people with endless love. How I wished I could have been born into a family like that. If only my parents had loved me even a little more.Aunt Rosa soon prepared a large spread of dishes. Before she left, I invited her to stay and eat with us."Aunt Rosa, please stay and eat with us," I asked hopefully.She smiled at me, gentle and warm, like always. "No need, So
Dominic’s pov ;I watched her closely, my gaze tracing the slight furrow in her brow.“Are you feeling uncomfortable in your stomach?” I asked, trying to sound neutral, though I was more concerned than I let on.She looked up, her face a little flushed. “I…I think I just ate too much. My stomach’s been bloated, and drinking water hasn’t helped.”“Don’t drink more water if it’s bloated,” I told her. I moved to the cabinet and took out the medicine box, searching until I found a strip of lactase.Handing it to her, I said, “Take a few of these and rest. They’ll help with digestion.”She accepted the pills with a small nod, her expression both grateful and a bit shy. In a few minutes, the tension in her face softened as she relaxed.The bloating seemed to be easing, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction—small problems like these I could fix without much effort.“Thank you, Sir,” she let out, giving me a soft smile. “I think I’ll go back to my room and get some sleep.”“Wai
Sophie’s pov ;Later, while we ate, I caught myself mumbling a formula aloud, trying to remember it. “What’s the name of that theorem…?”Without missing a beat, Dominic answered. I looked at him, my eyes wide. “That’s it! Sir, how do you know all this?”I felt a little silly as soon as I said it—of course he would know. The Sir went to college too, after all.He just shrugged, looking casual. “I haven’t forgotten everything I learned.”“Sir…were you a top student?” I asked curiously.He gave a small, almost arrogant smile. “Not quite. They used to call me the God of Learning.”He said it so matter-of-factly, like it was just a minor detail, but his confidence left me awestruck. I stood there staring, probably with my mouth open.He raised an eyebrow. “What? You don’t believe it?”“No, no! I believe it!” I said quickly.Of course he was brilliant—I’d always thought so. But hearing it in that smooth, confident voice of his just made me admire him even more. I could feel my cheeks heatin
Dominic’s pov ;I watched Sophie as she bit open the sugar-roasted chestnuts, peeling them with care.To my surprise, she held one up to me. "Sir, you'll be the first to eat."Her earnestness caught me off guard, but I took the chestnut she offered, tasting the sweet, sticky warmth. It wasn’t bad, actually—soft and comforting, much like the little crybaby in front of me. She seemed blissfully unaware of my thoughts as she bit into another chestnut, smiling to herself.The sun filtered through the leaves above, casting light over her pale skin, making her almost seem to glow. Her nose was small and perfectly shaped, and there was a bit of chestnut powder dusted over her cherry-red lips. She looked so innocent. So tempting.And for some strange reason, it brought back my grandmother's misunderstanding—the way she’d somehow gotten it into her head that Sophie and I were having a child together. If I couldn't find some way to justify this soon, I’d be left without an explanation."Do you
Sophie’s pov :Returning to the Galaxy Hotel, I felt a knot tighten in my stomach. Peter, the same colleague who had previously accused me of theft, stood before me in front of the crowd.His voice, loud and clear, echoed through the room. "Sophie, I apologize. I thought you stole something without finding out the truth. Don't take it to heart. I'm straightforward, not one for tricks, and this time, I was wrong."The apology was public, a forced act, and it felt humiliating. It was as though he was making me swallow the guilt in front of everyone. The attention made my face burn, the sting of shame crawling under my skin. I felt exposed, like a puppet on display. But I couldn’t let him see how it affected me.I steadied my breathing, trying to keep my composure. “It doesn’t matter,” I said, my voice level, though I couldn’t completely hide the tension in it. “Let’s just put it behind us.”With a sarcastic tone, he spoke again, his words dripping with venom. "Rest assured, if I don’t h
Sophie’s pov ;"There’s no one I know with that name," I said, almost to myself, as Jenna had mentioned the name “Brandon Carpenter.” Why did it sound so...strange?My chest felt tight, like there was a weight pressing down on it. It hurt in a way I couldn’t explain."Sophie, what’s wrong with you?" Jenna’s voice pulled me back to the conversation.I pressed a hand over my chest, willing the sensation to go away."Nothing," I said, trying to sound casual. "I just think…that name feels very…special."There was a slight pause on her end before Jenna continued. "The Carpenter family still holds a high status here in London, but their reputation faded after something happened over ten years ago. It led to the family’s decline. Now, they’re considered second-rate."I felt an odd pang of sadness. "What happened?" The question tumbled out before I even thought about it."Sophie, you never cared about wealthy family drama before. Why are you curious about the Carpenters now?""I…I don’t know.
Sophie’s pov ;During lunch break, I made my way to the fountain garden at Galaxy Hotel, craving a bit of quiet. I settled on the steps, listening to the birds chirping in the trees above.Before long, I heard light footsteps approaching, and a familiar voice called out, "Sophie, I see you again!"I looked up to see Ava, her face bright with a smile. "It's you, Ava."She skipped over, as lively as ever, and sat beside me. "What are you daydreaming about here?"I lowered my head, feeling a slight blush on my cheeks. "Nothing." I tried to sound casual, but memories of last night came flooding back.The way Sir had looked at me, his words about having a baby…I’d been so shocked, embarrassed beyond words. And then this morning, I couldn’t even bring myself to face him. I had skipped breakfast entirely, rushing out as soon as I woke up to avoid the awkwardness."Have you had lunch yet?" Ava’s question snapped me back to the present.I nodded, though I knew I hadn’t eaten much. "Yes, I’ve e
Dominic’s pov ;As soon as I saw her step into the car, I caught the distinct scent of the tea clinging to her clothes.The eldest son of the Flensky family, Christopher, was known for his refined tastes and mysterious demeanor, an elegant face masking shrewd intentions. People like him—people who played at subtle games—were hardly the sort I wanted Sophie entangled with.She’s innocent, trusting, like a little white rabbit. She’s too pure for the intricate schemes of this world. And I can’t always be around to protect her. My best option was to keep her far from such influences.“Stay away from him,” I said quietly.She nodded, her voice soft. “I see.”For the rest of the ride, I noticed her head dipping slightly, fighting the drowsiness. But every time I glanced at her, she was curled tightly in the corner of the car, as if deliberately keeping a distance, clearly cautious.“If you’re tired, come over and sleep,” I finally said.She jolted awake, her cheeks coloring as she shook her
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