Sabella POV

Inside the car, silence settled heavily between us, but it was not the peaceful kind. It was the kind of silence filled with hidden intentions, dangerous thoughts, and secrets nobody dared to say aloud.

I sat in the front passenger seat while Alexander and his mother occupied the back seat like royalty being escorted to their grand celebration. The soft leather beneath me felt expensive, the air conditioning cool against my skin, yet none of it comforted me. My mind was too occupied with everything that had happened.

Behind me, Melissa suddenly laughed softly.

“The bitch has finally left the line,” she said proudly.

Alexander chuckled beside her.

“And tonight,” Melissa continued, satisfaction dripping from her voice, “the Knight family will officially welcome their new daughter-in-law.”

A smile slowly formed on my lips, though my chest still felt strangely tight.

For a moment, victory tasted sweet.

Not because I loved Alexander.

Not because I truly wanted to replace Sophia.

But because I believed this was justice.

Sophia had destroyed our family long before today.

She sold her birthright.

She sacrificed the Williams family properties just to help the man she loved build his empire. The very properties our father treasured with his whole heart. The same inheritance he protected for years with pride.

And when Father discovered what Sophia had done…

He died.

The memory still haunted me.

I could still remember the trembling of his hands, the disbelief in his eyes, the pain in his voice when he realized the daughter he trusted most had given away the family’s legacy for love.

He had adored Sophia.

He believed she would become the pride of the Williams family.

Instead, she shattered everything.

And now…

Now Alexander Knight had become rich and powerful because of her sacrifice.

So why shouldn’t the Knight family pay for it?

Why shouldn’t Sophia experience pain too?

I closed my eyes briefly and rested my head against the seat.

Yet even in that moment, something felt wrong.

Very wrong.

Because one truth kept bothering me.

I never sent Alexander that video.

The video of Sophia speaking with the man who bought the Williams properties.

That day had been the only day I truly decided to play my own game against my sister. I wanted Alexander to doubt her. I wanted cracks in their marriage.

But those messages…

Those pictures…

The anonymous information Alexander kept receiving…

None of them came from me.

Which meant somebody else had been manipulating everything from the shadows.

Somebody wanted Sophia destroyed long before I became involved.

And suddenly, I realized I had only been another pawn.

A slow chill crawled down my spine.

Whoever that person was, they clearly hated Sophia far more than I did.

But at that moment, I pushed the thought aside.

I no longer cared.

Not tonight.

Tonight was supposed to be my victory.

A few minutes later, the car finally stopped.

I looked outside the window and my breath caught.

The event hall was breathtaking.

Golden lights decorated the massive building beautifully while luxurious cars filled the entrance. Elegant guests walked inside wearing expensive gowns and tailored suits. Music echoed faintly from within the hall while photographers waited near the staircase.

Everything looked magnificent.

Everything looked like a dream.

The driver opened the door for us.

Alexander stepped out first, adjusting his expensive suit confidently. The moment he stood outside, flashes from cameras immediately surrounded him.

He smiled proudly like a man who owned the entire world.

Then he turned toward me.

“Isabella,” he called.

I quickly walked toward him, trying to act composed.

“Yes?”

“Is everything okay?” he asked casually.

“I’m fine,” I replied softly.

But before I could say anything else, Alexander glanced toward the road.

“I think Clara hasn’t arrived yet,” he murmured. “She just left the hotel.”

I froze instantly.

My heart skipped.

“Clara?” I repeated slowly.

Alexander nodded absentmindedly.

I stared at him carefully before asking,

“Your ex-girlfriend who abandoned you when you had nothing?”

The curiosity inside me immediately turned into uneasiness.

Melissa smiled strangely but said nothing.

Then suddenly, headlights appeared.

A black BMW slowly drove toward the entrance with another security vehicle following behind it.

Alexander’s entire expression brightened immediately.

“There’s Clara,” he said happily.

And before I could even process what was happening, Alexander and Melissa both walked toward the arriving car excitedly.

Confusion filled me.

The car door opened slowly.

A beautiful young woman stepped out gracefully.

She wore a stunning silver gown that hugged her body perfectly while diamonds sparkled around her neck. Even from where I stood, I could smell her expensive perfume drifting through the air.

And the moment I saw her face…

Shock nearly knocked the breath out of me.

It really was Clara.

Alexander’s former lover.

The woman who abandoned him years ago.

Before I could recover from my shock, Alexander reached her and kissed her directly on the lips.

My eyes widened instantly.

“Alexander!” I shouted.

The both of them turned toward me.

Alexander frowned slightly.

“Isabella, what’s the problem?”

I stared at him in disbelief.

“You’re not supposed to be with her!” I cried emotionally. “She abandoned you when you had nothing! And now that you’ve made it, she returned to replace my sister?”

My voice cracked painfully.

Melissa sighed dramatically.

“My goodness,” she muttered.

Then she looked at me coldly.

“Young lady, what exactly were you expecting from us?” she asked. “Did you truly think you could become your sister’s replacement?”

Her words hit me harder than a slap.

I stood there speechless.

But deep inside, humiliation slowly began burning through me.

Still, I forced myself to speak.

“You became rich using the Williams properties,” I said bitterly. “The sacrifices Sophia foolishly made for your family helped you rise. Now you divorce her only to bring back your ex-girlfriend?”

Alexander suddenly laughed.

The sound was cruel.

“Did you actually expect me to choose you?” he asked mockingly.

I swallowed hard.

“Yes,” I answered boldly despite the shame rising inside me.

Alexander laughed even harder.

Melissa shook her head in disgust.

“Unbelievable,” she muttered.

Then Alexander stepped closer toward me, his eyes filled with mockery.

“You really think I would involve myself with another woman from the Williams family after seeing the kind of products your parents brought into this world?”

His words stunned me.

“Barren women. Unfaithful women. Disgraceful women,” he continued mercilessly. “What makes you think you’d be any different from your sister?”

My chest tightened painfully.

Every word pierced directly into my pride.

“Babe,” Clara suddenly interrupted while pointing at me arrogantly, “who exactly is this pathetic woman?”

Alexander smirked.

“That?” he answered carelessly. “That’s my foolish ex-wife’s lazy sister.”

Clara widened her eyes dramatically.

“Your former sister-in-law?”

Alexander scoffed.

“I’d rather pick a prostitute from the streets than choose anyone from the Williams family.”

Clara burst into laughter.

And in that moment, I finally understood.

I was never part of their plans.

Never.

I had only been useful.

A weapon against Sophia.

Nothing more.

Alexander gently held Clara’s hand and began leading her toward the hall entrance.

Then suddenly, he stopped and turned back toward me.

“Oh, one more thing.”

One of his guards quickly handed him a thick envelope.

Alexander tossed it directly at me.

It landed near my feet.

“That’s my wedding invitation,” he said coldly. “You’re invited.”

Tears instantly filled my eyes.

My hands trembled violently.

The humiliation felt unbearable.

Same day.

The same day Alexander managed to destroy two sisters completely.

I thought I had won.

Instead, I became the biggest fool.

Slowly, I bent down and picked up the invitation card.

My hands tightened around it.

Then angrily, I tore it into pieces.

I threw the remains onto the ground and stepped on them repeatedly while tears streamed down my face.

Behind me, loud cheers erupted from the crowd as guests welcomed Alexander and Clara inside the hall.

Their laughter echoed painfully in my ears.

I stood there alone, broken,humiliated, used and finally…

Awake.

A bitter smile slowly appeared on my face.

“So now I understand,” I whispered painfully.

It was Clara.

She had been the one manipulating Alexander all along.

She was the one sending those pictures.

Those messages.

Those lies.

She wanted Sophia gone so she could reclaim her place beside Alexander.

And I…

I helped her destroy my own sister.

Regret crashed into me heavily.

For the first time since everything began, guilt truly settled inside my chest.

Sophia lost everything because of people like us.

Because of me.

I slowly wiped my tears.

No.

I could not enter that hall now.

Not after making such a fool of myself.

Not after realizing I had been nothing but entertainment to them.

I clenched my fists tightly.

“This time,” I muttered painfully, “if Sophia decides to fight back… I’ll help her.”

My breathing became heavier.

“But not openly.”

My eyes darkened with hatred.

“Alexander Knight,” I whispered, “nothing from the Williams family that made you rich will remain with you.”

My voice trembled with rage.

“I swear you and your mother will pay for every single dime.”

The pain inside me only deepened.

Slowly, I reached for my phone.

I stared at Sophia’s number for a long moment before finally calling.

But the call failed.

Her phone was switched off.

My heart sank further.

I had nowhere to find her.

Nowhere to go.

And even if I found her…

Would she ever forgive me?

Probably not.

Because regardless of my reasons, I betrayed her.

Maybe part of me believed I was teaching her a lesson.

Maybe I wanted her to feel the pain our father felt.

But now…

Now I realized I had gone too far.

Still, no matter what happened, I needed to make peace with Sophia.

Not only because of guilt.

But because if the Knight family could betray one sister so easily…

Then none of us were ever safe around them.

And for the first time in my life, I truly feared what Alexander Knight was capable of.

Sophia POV

Writing

Sophia’s Life Was About To Change

Sophia’s POV

The next morning, the sky looked dull and heavy, as though the heavens themselves understood the pain inside my heart. I stood quietly beside the window of the small motel room I had spent the night in, staring at the silent streets below while clutching my phone tightly in my trembling hands.

The phone had remained switched off since yesterday.

Ever since I left the Knight mansion.

Ever since Alexander chose my sister over me.

Ever since my entire world collapsed.

For a long moment, I simply stood there, breathing slowly while trying to gather the remaining strength left inside me. My eyes slowly drifted toward my stomach, and my fingers unconsciously rested there.

My baby.

The only reason I still had the courage to keep moving forward.

I closed my eyes briefly before whispering to myself.

“I have to leave…”

Singapore.

That was the only place my mind could think of.

Far away from Alexander Knight.

Far away from Sabella.

Far away from every painful memory connected to my old life.

But before leaving, there was one place I needed to visit.

My father’s grave.

About thirty minutes later, I stepped outside the motel with my small luggage bag beside me. The cold morning breeze brushed against my skin as I stood by the roadside waiting for a taxi.

The moment one finally stopped in front of me, I entered quietly.

“Where to, miss?” the driver asked politely.

I lowered my gaze before answering softly.

“The Williams family cemetery.”

The driver nodded and started the car.

Throughout the ride, silence filled the vehicle. I sat quietly near the window, watching buildings pass one after another while painful memories flooded my mind endlessly.

My father’s smile.

His proud voice whenever he spoke about me.

The sacrifices he made for me.

And how I threw everything away for Alexander Knight.

Tears slowly gathered inside my eyes again.

By the time the taxi stopped at the cemetery gate, my chest already felt unbearably heavy.

“We’re here, miss,” the driver said gently.

I paid him before stepping out slowly.

The cemetery looked peaceful and silent beneath the cloudy sky. Dry leaves moved softly across the ground as the cold wind blew around me.

I walked slowly through the rows of graves until I finally reached my father’s resting place.

The moment my eyes landed on his grave, the tears I had been trying to suppress completely broke free.

My legs weakened instantly.

I slowly knelt down beside the grave.

“Father…”

My voice cracked immediately.

I lowered my head while tears rolled heavily down my cheeks.

“Father, I know I have wronged you.”

My shoulders trembled violently.

“I disappointed you… I disappointed myself.”

The pain inside my chest became unbearable as memories of everything I sacrificed for Alexander flashed through my mind.

“I thought I was doing the right thing,” I cried bitterly. “I thought helping Alexander was love. I thought if I gave him everything, he would treasure me forever.”

I placed my shaking hand on the cold gravestone.

“But I was wrong…”

Tears continued falling uncontrollably.

“I sold my birthright… the company you worked your entire life to build for me.”

I bit my lower lip painfully.

“You trusted me with your legacy, Father. You believed I would protect it. Instead, I handed it over to a man who never truly loved me.”

The cemetery remained silent except for my sobs.

“I’m sorry…” I whispered brokenly. “I’m so sorry.”

For several minutes, I cried quietly beside his grave until my breathing gradually steadied again.

Then slowly, I lifted my head.

“But I promise you something today.”

My voice became firmer despite the tears.

“I have learned from my mistakes.”

I gently wiped my face.

“Maybe I learned too late… but I finally understand now.”

I rested both hands protectively on my stomach.

“I’m carrying your grandson, Father.”

A faint smile mixed with my tears.

“I know it’s a boy.”

For the first time since yesterday, warmth entered my heart slightly.

“He will know about you. He will know the kind of man his grandfather was.”

I swallowed painfully before continuing.

“And I promise… I will build an empire again.”

The wind blew softly around me.

“This time, it will carry your name.”

Fresh tears escaped my eyes again, but unlike before, there was determination hidden inside them now.

“I will make you proud.”

After remaining there quietly for a while, I slowly stood up.

My wristwatch caught my attention.

I had less than thirty minutes left before my flight.

Taking a deep breath, I stared one final time at my father’s grave.

“Goodbye, Father.”

Then I turned and slowly walked out of the cemetery.

As I reached the roadside, I pulled out my phone.

The same phone Alexander had called countless times before betraying me.

The same phone connected to every painful memory.

Without hesitation, I dropped it directly onto the road.

A second later—

CRASH!

A passing car drove over it immediately, smashing the device completely.

I stared at the broken pieces silently.

Then I whispered coldly,

“Goodbye, Alexander Knight.”

My eyes darkened slightly.

“And goodbye to the old Sophia.”

I raised my hand and stopped another taxi.

“To the airport,” I instructed calmly.

The driver nodded before driving away.

Hours later, after a long exhausting flight, I finally arrived in Singapore.

The city lights glittered beautifully outside the airport windows, but despite how beautiful everything looked, I still felt emotionally drained.

I was alone.

Completely alone.

With only a little money left in my possession, I searched carefully before finally finding a small apartment I could barely afford.

It was a shared two-bedroom apartment.

Not luxurious.

Not comfortable.

But enough to survive.

By the time I arrived there with my luggage, exhaustion filled my entire body.

The apartment was simple but neat. One side already looked occupied.

I quietly placed my bags near the wall before hearing footsteps approaching from outside.

A moment later, the doorbell rang.

I walked toward the door and opened it slowly.

Standing there was a young woman dressed in a nurse’s uniform. She looked tired from work, but her face immediately brightened the moment she saw me.

“Oh!”

She blinked in surprise before smiling warmly.

“You must be my new roommate.”

Her friendliness caught me off guard slightly.

“My name is Jennifer Abraham,” she introduced herself while stretching out her hand.

I hesitated briefly before shaking it gently.

“I’m Sophia Williams.”

“Nice to meet you, Sophia.”

Her smile looked genuine.

Unlike the fake smiles I had grown used to back home.

“Come in properly,” she said kindly. “You must be exhausted.”

I nodded softly.

Jennifer immediately moved around comfortably inside the apartment while speaking casually with me.

“Have you eaten yet?”

“A little,” I answered quietly.

“That means no,” she replied instantly.

Before I could refuse, she had already entered the kitchen.

“I’ll prepare something simple for you.”

I watched her silently.

There was something comforting about her energy.

Something peaceful.

For the first time in days, my tense heart relaxed slightly.

A few minutes later, Jennifer returned with food and placed it in front of me.

“You should eat properly,” she insisted.

I thanked her softly before eating little by little.

Afterward, she sat across from me while studying my face carefully.

“You’ve been through a lot, haven’t you?”

The question almost broke me again.

But somehow, her voice carried no judgment.

Only concern.

So slowly, I explained everything.

Not every detail.

But enough.

By the time I finished speaking, Jennifer looked shocked.

“So… you’re pregnant?”

I nodded quietly.

“Yes.”

Instead of pitying me, Jennifer simply leaned back thoughtfully.

Then suddenly she said,

“I’ll help you.”

I looked at her immediately.

“What?”

“I said I’ll help you,” she repeated calmly. “But only if you promise to be sincere with me.”

Confusion filled my expression.

“What do you mean?”

Jennifer smiled mysteriously.

“You should rest for now,” she said while standing up. “We’ll talk properly tomorrow.”

Before I could ask further questions, she had already walked toward her room.

Leaving me filled with curiosity.

That night, despite my exhaustion, my mind remained restless.

Who exactly was Jennifer?

And what kind of help was she talking about?

The next morning, the sound of cooking coming from the kitchen woke me up.

I slowly walked out and found Jennifer frying eggs while humming softly.

She smiled immediately after noticing me.

“Good morning, Sophia.”

“Good morning.”

“How was your night?”

“It was okay.”

Jennifer nodded.

“I have a night shift later today, so I decided to prepare breakfast early.”

Within minutes, she arranged tea and fried eggs neatly on the dining table.

We both sat down to eat.

Then suddenly—

“Sophia.”

I looked at her.

“Are you willing to work as an assistant manager for a cosmetics company and earn two million dollars monthly?”

The fork nearly slipped from my hand.

I stared at her in complete shock.

“I… I don’t understand.”

Jennifer leaned back calmly.

“I’m not as poor as you think.”

My confusion deepened.

“I choose to live this way because I like simplicity. My parents are wealthy, although they’re divorced.”

I remained speechless.

Then she added,

“My father is Lucas Marcus.”

The moment I heard that name, my entire body froze.

Lucas Marcus.

The man who bought my company.

Jennifer noticed my reaction immediately.

“You know him?”

I swallowed slowly.

“That’s… the name of the man who bought my company.”

Jennifer’s eyes widened slightly.

“You were the original owner of Williams Beauty Production?”

I nodded.

“Yes.”

For a moment, Jennifer simply stared at me in disbelief.

Then slowly, she smiled.

“That means fate truly brought you here.”

I frowned slightly.

“What do you mean?”

“My father has been searching for someone trustworthy to help manage the company’s main production branch here in Singapore.”

She crossed her arms confidently.

“And honestly? There’s nobody more qualified than the woman who built the company in the first place.”

My chest tightened emotionally.

Part of me wanted to refuse.

The memories still hurt too much.

But another part of me remembered my promise at my father’s grave.

I needed to rise again.not for Alexander, not for revenge.

But for myself and for my child.

Jennifer watched me quietly before speaking again.

“You can rebuild your life, Sophia.”

I lowered my gaze silently.

“You once created something powerful. You can do it again.”

I finally lifted my head.

“If your father truly gives me this opportunity… I’ll do my best.”

Jennifer grinned immediately.

“That’s better.”

Then her expression became serious.

“But there’s one condition.”

I blinked.

“What condition?”

“You must completely let go of Alexander Knight and if possible your sister.”

Her words hit directly into my heart.

Jennifer continued calmly.

“You cannot move forward while still carrying them inside your heart.”

I looked down silently.

“I don’t love him anymore and as for my sister I have cut the with her,” I whispered painfully.

“But the pain is still there.”

Jennifer softened slightly.

“That’s normal.”

Then she leaned closer.

“But instead of crying over what you lost, focus on becoming stronger than the people who betrayed you.”

Her words settled deeply inside me.

“What should matter now,” she added, “is how to grow so high that nobody can ever destroy you again.”

I slowly nodded.

“Yes.”

Jennifer smiled warmly.

“Good.”

Then she suddenly picked up her phone.

“I’ll call my father now.”

My heart immediately became nervous again.

Jennifer dialed the number calmly before placing the call on speaker.

The phone rang twice.

Then a deep mature voice answered.

“Jennifer?”

“Dad,” she said casually, “I found the assistant manager candidate.”

“Oh?” the man responded. “Who is it?”

Jennifer smiled while looking directly at me.

“Her name is Sophia Williams.”

Silence filled the line instantly.

Then suddenly—

“Sophia Williams?”

The shock in Lucas Marcus’s voice was unmistakable.

Sophia po

Jennifer wasn't just a good woman; she was kind, thoughtful, and genuinely caring. Everything she did seemed sincere, and it was impossible not to trust her.

She looked at me with a smile and said, "Get ready. We're going shopping."

"Shopping?" I repeated, unable to hide the surprise on my face.

"Yes," Jennifer replied. "You can't dress like this when you're meeting my father. He is a man who values appearance. The way you present yourself tells him the kind of person you are."

"I already have clothes in my bags," I protested.

She shook her head gently. "Those clothes are old, young lady. You need new ones."

"I can wash them in the machine and dry them immediately."

"No," she insisted. "And besides, you're not the one spending the money. I am, so don't worry about it."

Seeing there was no point arguing, I finally relaxed.

When we arrived at the luxury mall, Jennifer surprised me by placing her ATM card in my hand.

"Buy whatever you want," she said. "I've been called away for an emergency."

Before I could ask another question, she was already gone.

For almost twenty minutes, I stood there staring at the card in my hand. The mall was filled with expensive designer brands. A single dress could easily cost five hundred thousand dollars, and Jennifer had told me to buy as much as I wanted.

"Did she leave because she wants to test my loyalty?" I whispered to myself.

After thinking about it carefully, I shook my head.

"No, Jennifer doesn't seem like that."

I finally selected only two simple outfits.

"Hello, Madam."

I turned and saw a female staff member smiling politely.

"Yes, how can I help you?"

"Miss Jennifer instructed me to assist you with your shopping."

I looked at the clothes in my basket and handed her the card.

"I'm done. Please process the payment."

The young woman smiled apologetically.

"I'm sorry, Madam, but I'm not the cashier. Besides, you haven't even selected items worth one million dollars."

My eyes widened.

"One million dollars? For what?"

"Miss Jennifer has already approved a budget of five million dollars for your wardrobe. If you leave without buying enough, she'll be disappointed, and we might lose one of our most valued customers."

I stared at her in complete silence.

She folded her hands respectfully.

"My name is Lynn, Madam."

"Lynn, I'm finished shopping."

"I'm afraid you aren't. At least two million dollars has been allocated for your office wear alone."

I sighed helplessly.

"Can you do me a favor?"

"If the favor is allowing you to leave without choosing more clothes, then I'm sorry, I can't."

There was no room for negotiation.

For the next two hours, Lynn guided me through every section of the store. We selected elegant office suits, casual dresses, evening gowns, shoes, handbags, and accessories.

Every time I tried to stop, she reminded me of Jennifer's instructions.

I wasn't comfortable spending so much money. If it had been mine, I would never have bought half of those things. The only reason I continued was because I didn't want Jennifer's kindness to create problems for the store.

By the time I reached home, exhaustion had completely taken over.

I fell asleep on the couch.

The next thing I knew, Jennifer was standing beside me.

"You almost left the front door open, Sophia," she said gently.

I rubbed my eyes.

"I'm sorry. I was so tired that I needed to rest."

"It's alright. I'm not trying to scold you. I only want to remind you so you'll be more careful next time."

"Thank you," I replied sincerely.

That night, I slept peacefully.

The following morning, Jennifer personally picked out the best outfit from everything we had purchased. She adjusted my collar, smiled proudly, and then spoke.

"My father is waiting for you."

Those words instantly woke every nerve in my body.

"Am I late, Miss Jennifer?"

"Almost. I already booked your flight. Please hurry and take your shower."

I didn't know how to thank her. Since entering my life, Jennifer had shown me nothing but kindness.

Within an hour we were at the airport, and shortly afterward our flight landed in Marcus City.

As I stepped outside, my new phone rang.

"Turn around. The guards are waiting for you."

I turned and saw a tall man dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit.

"Mr. Marcus sent me to pick you up, Madam."

"I'd like to confirm that first."

I immediately called Mr. Marcus.

"Yes, Sophia," he answered warmly. "He's my driver. You can trust him."

Only then did I nod.

"Let's go."

The company headquarters looked exactly as I remembered.

Employees hurried through the halls, busy with their work.

Some of the older staff recognized me immediately.

"Miss Sophia! Where have you been?"

An elderly cleaner who had worked there for over fifteen years walked toward me with tears in her eyes.

I gently held both of her hands.

"I'm back."

A bright smile spread across her face.

Inside the executive office, Mr. Marcus stood up the moment he saw me.

"Please, come in, Sophia."

I followed him quietly.

After studying me for a few moments, he smiled.

"You've become even more beautiful."

Heat rose to my cheeks.

He slowly walked toward me while continuing to speak.

Fear immediately settled inside my heart.

"Are you scared?" he asked.

I remained silent, watching every step he took until he stopped directly in front of me.

"Has anyone ever told you just how beautiful you are?"

His words confused me.

"With all due respect, sir, you invited me here to discuss business. Why are we talking about my appearance?"

He smiled.

"This is part of the business, Sophia. Everything starts with trust."

My heartbeat became faster.

A frightening thought crossed my mind.

What if Mr. Marcus expected something far beyond a business partnership?

He seemed to notice my discomfort.

"Relax," he said calmly. "Whatever happens here will remain private. Besides, you're no longer in a relationship, and you don't have a husband."

I took a deep breath and met his eyes.

"I beg your pardon, sir, but I'm not the kind of woman you seem to think I am."

He frowned.

"And there's something else you should know."

"What is it?"

I placed a hand over my stomach.

"I'm carrying my ex-husband's child."

The color drained from Mr. Marcus's face.

Every trace of confidence disappeared from his expression as silence filled the office.

It was as if every plan he had made the moment he saw me had come to an unexpected end.