Sophia Palmer had long come to terms with the fact that Dillon Palmer would never kiss her. Despite having shared many intimate moments, he had never once kissed her because he didn't love her.

"Feeling regretful now, aren't you?" Dillon said with a smirk. "So clever with that prenuptial agreement. If you hadn't signed it, you wouldn't have to come to me for money."

Before their marriage, Sophia had indeed signed a prenuptial agreement ensuring she wouldn't take a dime from Dillon. In his mind, she married him for the title of Mrs. Palmer and the potential gains it afforded, but Sophia knew her reasons had never involved money.

After their argument, sleep eluded Sophia. At first light, she got up to make some stew for her father.

Sophia arrived at the hospital early, just in time to catch the doctor's rounds. After discussing her father's condition, it became clear she would need a substantial amount of money for his future care.

"Don’t worry, Sophia, I'll be alright," her father said, trying to reassure her. "I can just pick up some medication and leave. Hospital stays are too expensive."

His private room cost hundreds of dollars a day—a considerable expense.

Sophia's father understood, despite her outward image as a wealthy lady, Dillon's attitude toward her was anything but supportive. He didn’t want his daughter shouldering the burden.

Sophia looked at him resolutely. "No, we need to follow the doctor's advice. Proper treatment is important."

"Don’t worry about the money. Dillon has given me some."

Her father seemed skeptical. "Really? Did Dillon truly pay for my treatment?"

"Sophia, don’t lie to me."

Three years prior, he had inadvertently driven a wedge between Dillon and his then-girlfriend by presenting a fake pregnancy report, leading her to leave the country. Dillon had spent a winter night in the rain at the airport as a result, contracting pneumonia. Since then, Dillon had been relentless, demoting him from research director to a minor position, all to make things difficult for Sophia.

"Why would I lie to you? If he hadn't given me any money, how could I afford the hospital bills?"

"Dillon's just been busy, which is why he hasn't visited. He was packing for a business trip last night the moment he got home. But he made sure to remind me to bring you something nourishing. Look, hearty beef stew with herbs. Eat up, Dad."

Worried her father might see through her facade, Sophia quickly busied herself with the pot.

Her stepmother, Evelyn James, was even quicker, opening the pot to serve the stew. "Let me help you with that."

"Tastes good, doesn't it? See how much your daughter and son-in-law care about you."

As Evelyn served the stew, she probed Sophia about Dillon. "Sophia, when will Dillon have time to visit? I should prepare properly for his visit."

It had been two years since she married Sophia's father, yet she had never met Dillon, the business magnate, nor enjoyed any perks of being the mother-in-law to such a wealthy family.

There was no way Dillon could come. Sophia had lied to keep her father from leaving the hospital prematurely due to financial concerns. However, her stepmother couldn’t sense her discomfort and kept asking. With no other choice, Sophia forced out an answer, "I can't say for sure. Dillon travels internationally a lot. Once he has some free time, I'll bring him over. For now, let me go settle the hospital bill with the doctor."

Sophia practically fled the room.

She was a terrible liar and dreaded that her father might notice her deception.

After much persuasion, she managed to convince the doctor to extend the payment deadline by a few days.

She sighed with relief and was about to return to the room when she saw Dillon approaching with a woman clinging to his arm, emerging from the obstetrics department.

What was he doing here?

Sophia wanted to avoid Dillon, so she quickly hid. Still, she couldn’t help but sneak a few glances at him, confident that he wouldn't notice her.

To her surprise, his eyes could look so gentle! Such a stark contrast to the sharpness and coldness he showed her.

The jealousy and heartache welled up, and tears stung her eyes.

"Mr. Palmer, what's so interesting over there?" Carolina Lopez asked with a smile that masked her inner jealousy, quickly figuring out what had caught his attention.

"Ah, that seems like Mrs. Palmer. Why would she be at the hospital? Is she unwell? Should we check on her?" she suggested.

"Ignore it," Dillon replied curtly.

If Sophia were truly sick, she would have used it as an excuse to pressure him to come home. She had that tactic down.

"But what if she misunderstands? Should I go explain?"

Dillon paused briefly. "Since when were you so interested in her affairs?"

Carolina hadn’t noticed his displeasure and continued in a playful tone, "I saw you were paying attention and thought you cared."

Her words caught in her throat when she saw the ice in his gaze.

"Do you think you can read my mind?" he said coolly.

Dillon seemed oblivious to the woman's worried look. "I brought you here for business today. Don’t get ahead of yourself."

"People around me should be sensible and follow the rules. If you can't manage that, go see Mr. Rose for a check."

The mere mention of Sophia's name had become a trigger for his anger. She asked him for money, and he was angry. If she didn't, he was still annoyed. Anyone who mentioned her name faced his wrath.

From Sophia’s vantage point, it seemed as though the two were kissing, as if an unseen hand was squeezing her throat, and she felt she couldn’t breathe.

She had loved him for five years, waited for 1,825 days, only to watch him kiss someone else.

He never even thought of turning to look at her!

Sophia wanted to escape, but for some reason, she couldn’t move. Her body felt drained of all energy.

"Hello, may I have a word with you?"

Sophia hadn’t noticed Carolina approach. By the time she came to her senses, Dillon was gone.

The woman in front of her had long, dark hair and bright eyes that seemed to draw people in. Most strikingly, she bore a resemblance to someone named Anne, to whom Dillon had once been devoted.

No wonder Dillon kissed her—it was always about Anne.

In the end, Sophia couldn’t compete with his idealized memory.

Sophia straightened her spine, gathered her emotions, and faced this woman's provocation head-on. She wouldn’t let herself lose to the other woman’s challenge.

"Alright."

...

In the café next to the hospital, Carolina sat with a self-assured air, sensing Dillon’s dissatisfaction with his wife.

"I’m sure you’ve seen me on TV or in magazines. The paparazzi have snapped plenty of pictures of me with Dillon," Carolina said, her tone full of pride.

Sophia remained unfazed. "Oh, there are so many of my husband's employees. You didn’t stand out."

Sophia had mistaken the famed actress for just another worker.

"I’m not an employee of Mr. Palmer’s. I’m a star, and I have a very close relationship with Dillon."

"Oh, so you’re the other woman. It’s surprising how bold mistresses are these days."

The term "mistress" made Carolina react sharply. "I am not a mistress. Dillon and I are truly in love. In a relationship, the one not loved is the third wheel. Mr. Palmer doesn’t love you."

Though Sophia had already accepted that truth, hearing it from the other woman felt like a slap to the face.

Sophia Palmer fired back, "Even if Dillon Palmer doesn't love me, so what? My name is right there next to his on our marriage certificate. Legally, I'm his wife, which means you have to call me Mrs. Palmer."

How had it come to this? Sophia was supposed to be easily controlled, not someone who could stand her ground. Carolina Lopez had expected to find Sophia in misery and despair, but instead, she was left feeling humiliated.

Carolina clenched her jaw. "But I'm the one he loves. We've been together for a year. He'll be with me at Thanksgiving, making pies, and creating romantic moments on Valentine's Day. He’ll be holding my hand as we stroll through town, catching a movie, and building snowmen with me during the winter. Every holiday, he showers me with gifts and even gave me a supplementary platinum card. I doubt he ever did that for you."

"As far as I know, you barely see him a few times a year. When you truly love someone, you make time for them no matter how busy you are."

He was busy every day, yet he found time for romantic escapades with his lover. It made sense; after all, the woman in front of her looked so much like Anne, someone Dillon had once gone to great lengths for.

With Sophia, he was miserly, not even sparing her a smile.

"If you're just here to brag, I've dealt with too many women like you. You all say the same things; it gets old."

"Oh, and Miss Lopez, since you're in the public eye, maybe you should keep a lower profile. Unless, of course, you have skin as thick as a castle wall."

Sophia's next words left Carolina speechless.

"Of course, if you believe love justifies intruding on someone else's marriage, why not declare it openly here?"

Judging by Carolina's expression, Sophia already knew the outcome. She pulled some hundred-dollar bills from her wallet and placed them on the table. "The coffee's on me. Enjoy."

"No need to thank me—after all, it's our shared money, community property."

Sophia stood and smiled. "Quick tip: I have the right to take you to court to reclaim everything Dillon's given you, including that card. So, when you see me, you might want to tread lightly, unless you plan to lose it all."

Dillon wouldn’t give her a dime, yet he lavished it on his mistress. It was infuriating! She wasn’t planning to go to court; she just wanted to scare Carolina a bit.

The nerve—being so bold while knowingly being the 'other woman'—was disgusting. But Sophia knew Carolina wouldn’t dare mention this to Dillon.

Carolina, a superstar, had never been insulted like this before. She believed she was the only one worthy of a man as exceptional as Dillon.

As Sophia turned to leave, Carolina called out, "I'm carrying Dillon's child."

"We just picked up the report from the clinic."

She'd been visiting because one of Dillon's business partners had a mother who adored her work and wanted to meet her in the hospital. As long as Sophia believed her, that was all that mattered.

Sophia pressed her nails into her arm to stop herself from breaking down. Dillon having a child with someone else was a crushing blow.

After leaving the café, she collapsed to the ground, breathless, as if no amount of air could ease the weight in her chest. Sharp pains seized her abdomen, pulling her further into darkness.

When she awoke, she was in a hospital. A nurse quickly stopped her from getting up. "Stay still and rest. You passed out at the mall and were brought in."

"We're giving you an IV now; you can leave later. Be careful in the future. You're two months pregnant, and it's not stable yet. I suggest visiting the OB-GYN for some medication."

Sophia quickly grabbed the nurse's arm. "What did you say? Two months? Are you saying I'm pregnant?"

"You're two months along. Didn't you know?"

She was pregnant! She was going to be a mom. Sophia couldn’t help but grin widely, the nurse sharing in her excitement. "Yes, do tell the baby’s father. He'll be thrilled."

The nurse's words poured cold water on Sophia’s joy. Dillon would never let her have this child. Three years ago, he had said she would never be the mother of his kids, and if she became pregnant, he'd force her to have an abortion. Dillon must never know about the pregnancy.

She left the emergency room in a daze, her mind a chaotic whirl, and found herself at her father's hospital room without realizing it.

Inside, Evelyn James was talking to Samuel Palmer.

"I just saw an article saying Dillon's been spending time with a young actress, barely coming home."

"Sophia keeps saying he's busy at work, but it seems he's busy with women instead. If this goes on, Sophia could easily lose her place to another woman."

"You should tell Sophia to secure more money for herself. Why let some vixen benefit? After all, who stood by Dillon when he nearly went bankrupt three years ago? It was only Sophia."

Evelyn was relentless, and Samuel snapped, "Quiet."

"Don’t bring this up in front of Sophia."

"She’s had a tough time these years."

The conversation continued, but Sophia no longer had the strength to push open the door. Her father had known all along; he had seen right through her.

Over the years, she had painted Dillon as caring and considerate to her father, who listened with a soft smile. Slowly, she had come to believe the lie herself, a fantasy she clung to for strength.

But illusions shattered inevitably, just like their marriage, which was nothing more than a mirage.

Sophia pressed her hand against her stomach. Though only two months along, she could somehow sense the tiny life growing within.

It was strange. Normally, she would be devastated by what she’d heard. But today, an inexplicable force seemed to bolster her.

She looked down tenderly at her belly.

“Don’t worry, little one. Mommy won't let anything happen to you. No one will take you away from me.”

In that moment, Sophia made the decision to divorce Dillon Palmer.

Sophia Palmer had just left the hospital when members of the Palmer family whisked her away to their ancestral estate.

Upon entering, she spotted Mrs. Palmer seated prominently at the head of the table. Approaching eighty, she was still full of vitality. Next to her sat Dillon Palmer, whose mere presence invoked a tremor of fear within Sophia. Her hand instinctively touched her abdomen, a silent assurance to herself—Dillon wouldn't find out.

Mrs. Palmer saw Sophia hovering by the entrance and beckoned her over with a warm smile. "Sophia, come sit by me."

Sophia opted to sit across from Mrs. Palmer, deliberately keeping her distance from Dillon. Settling in, she heard Dillon's derisive chuckle, imagining the expression that accompanied it. He probably thinks I convinced Grandma to call him over, she mused.

"Why didn’t you sit next to Dillon? Has he upset you? No wonder he seemed a bit unsure when I mentioned bringing you over," Mrs. Palmer noted, glancing at Dillon before gently taking Sophia’s hand. "Sophia, don't stay mad at Dillon. He’s such a workaholic, always prioritizing the company and jetting around the world. I've told him to make sure to spend at least one week a month with you."

"See, Dillon does care about you. Just look at all these gifts he brought back from his business trips," Mrs. Palmer pointed to an array of presents on the table. Sophia knew these were mere props for Mrs. Palmer’s benefit. Only during visits to the estate was she "showered" with such gifts.

"Go ahead, open them up and see if they’re to your liking."

Encouraged by Mrs. Palmer, Sophia began unwrapping the gifts one by one. Perfume, jewelry, handbags—typical choices intended for women, yet impersonal. It was evident Dillon's assistant had selected them based on popular trends, none of which matched her preferences.

"They’re lovely," she lied with sincerity.

Though the gifts weren't her taste, she tried to find contentment in the gesture from someone she had once loved dearly. She reminded herself not to ask for more than proximity to him.

Dillon's smirk radiated contempt. So shallow! As long as it’s pricey, she'll love it, right? He thought she was materialistic and sitting with Grandma was just a ploy to undermine him. This woman grows more conniving by the day.

Satisfied, Mrs. Palmer clasped their hands together. Sophia felt Dillon’s firm, warm grasp, offering a strange sense of solace. So this is what it feels like to hold his hand, she reflected. Yet, Dillon withdrew quickly, revealing a flash of disdain and revulsion. He never allowed contact outside the realm of necessity.

"Grandma, we should start dinner," Dillon reminded, prompting Mrs. Palmer to notice how late the hour had grown. "Yes, yes, Dillon is always so thoughtful, making sure Sophia doesn’t go hungry."

The meal was extravagant, with an array of roasted meats and vegetables, but Sophia's appetite was lacking. Suddenly, a piece of pulled pork was placed in her bowl—Dillon’s doing. Noticing Mrs. Palmer’s approving glance, Sophia realized Dillon was once again performing for the family's benefit. Every visit was a charade of perfect coupledom. Usually, she'd play along, but now the sight of meat churned her stomach. She couldn't manage even a taste. The aroma alone was overwhelming.

Sophia pushed the meat aside and forced herself to eat a few spoonfuls of mashed potatoes.

"Sophia, is the food not to your liking?" Mrs. Palmer inquired with concern.

Afraid that her pregnancy might be uncovered, Sophia replied quickly, "No, I just ate quite a bit before coming, so I'm not very hungry now."

"I'll have someone in the kitchen prepare some ginger tea for you then."

Once Mrs. Palmer left, Dillon's voice turned scornful again. "Always putting on a performance, aren’t you?" he remarked, setting down his fork, his words biting. "Refusing to eat what I served you—looking to get Grandma on your side?"

"I didn’t mean it like that... Ugh..." Sophia tried to hold back her nausea, but the intense smell at the table was too much. She couldn’t contain it and was visibly distressed.

She glanced anxiously at Dillon, but he seemed indifferent, continuing with more ridicule. "What now, pretending to be pregnant? Again?"

His words sent a chill down Sophia’s spine, as if her heart was being squeezed by invisible hands. "I'm not pregnant," she managed to say, her voice strained.

"If you were, I’d personally escort you to the clinic and make sure it’s taken care of."

Three years ago, when they discovered Sophia's pregnancy was false, they also learned she had nearly no chance of conceiving. Dillon had no reason to be concerned.

His mocking smile was a reminder of how cruelly he’d reveled in her despair back then. She had genuinely thought she was pregnant and couldn't understand why her test results had been tampered with, but he dismissed her pleas, calling it well-deserved.

Soon, Grandma returned with the tea, which Sophia drank with a visible effort. After dinner, Grandma insisted they stay overnight.

Sophia, filled with trepidation, contemplated how to broach the topic of divorce with Dillon. From the moment she discovered her pregnancy, she'd considered it. Dillon’s words earlier had cemented her decision to leave.

Abruptly, the door slammed shut, and Dillon threw her onto the bed. His muscular frame towered over her, pulling her blouse up to expose her smooth stomach.

Sophia’s face blanched with fear as she struggled frantically, "No, get off me." Her mind was consumed with worry for her baby.

"No one’s here now, so why pretend? If you love putting on a show, why not become an actress?" he taunted, his words venomous even as he engaged with her intimately.