Elijah’s POV

Who the hell was that man who’d answered her phone? I thought angrily, smoke coming out of my ears as I paced back and forth in my office. She can’t possibly be dating someone new already!

I couldn’t believe it. It just wasn’t like Sophia to forget me and move on that fast. It angered me so much, and at the same time, it squeezed my heart painfully, knowing that it might really be over between us now, that this wasn’t just some temper tantrum or momentary insanity on her part.

I remembered then how I’d overheard my assistant Connor apparently talking to a lawyer, his tone hushed but urgent.

I strained to listen, my heart pounding in my chest. That time, Sophia and I had just signed the divorce papers.

“...file this divorce as soon as possible,” Connor's voice was clear and determined.

I found it hard to believe. Sophia was truly in a hurry to get out of this marriage. I knew she was unhappy, but the finality of this step hit me like a ton of bricks. I thought that maybe it had just been some cruel joke, or she was just not thinking clearly.

At the time, I agreed to sign the divorce papers only because Sophia was acting very erratically. In a moment of shock, I went along with it.

What the hell is going on with her? I thought she would regret it. I didn't expect her to be so determined.

Since we lost our child, Sophia has been demoralized, and I can't comprehend why she sees Serena as an enemy.

There's nothing going on between me and Serena. Maybe if I explain things to her, she’ll understand and forgive me. She’ll come back to me.

I ran a hand through my hair, feeling greatly confused and stunned. It was also incredulous that she’d asked Connor to do it for her. I knew they had become friends over the years, but I never expected this.

Yet this could be a twist of luck for me that she’d asked Connor, I thought, hope surging within my heart. After I had stormed out of the house, I had begun having second thoughts. I wasn’t ready to let go yet.

Immediately, I talked to Connor then. “Connor, what date is it now?”

“July 10th,” he replied.

I looked up from the mess on my desk. “And when was the last time you saw Sophia?”

He paused for a while, thinking. “Uh, I believe about a month ago.”

“You have our divorce papers, right?” I started.

Connor’s eyes widened. He didn’t have a choice but to say yes.

“This is our marriage, Connor. You must understand that couples go through challenges in their relationship from time to time. I know we signed those papers, but perhaps we just got carried away…”

He was listening to me, nodding in agreement.

I took a deep breath and went on. “Can you give me the papers? I need to talk to Sophia again first.”

That memory was very fresh in my mind. Until now, Sophia had no idea that the divorce had not been filed. Connor didn’t tell her.

Now it’s time to speak to her. I’ve given her enough time to calm down, and now I need to see her.

Even if I’m pissed off that she may be seeing other men.

Maybe this time, I could try to persuade her. I wasn't sure where I had gone wrong, but I knew Sophia had a soft heart. All I had to do was apologize first, and then maybe she would come back to me.

I found myself rushing through the city to get to Brenda Bennett’s house. Maybe they could tell me where she was.

A few days ago, I’d already gone to where Sophia had moved after she left the house, but it was empty. I had no idea where she could have gone. Her best friend Kayla kept avoiding me too.

I needed to see her, to talk to her, to make things right.

“Elijah!” Brenda greeted me in a cheerful tone when she saw me. “What brings you here?”

I was straight to the point. “Hi. Do you know where Sophia is?”

Her face fell. “Not really. That woman is just so confused, so you have to understand her. But I know that she really loves you and —”

“Where is she?” I demanded, cutting her off. “I must talk to her.”

“Uhm… We haven’t seen her for a long time,” she finally admitted.

“What?!”

Suddenly, Sophia’s younger brother Troy came out. When he saw me, his lips turned up into a grin. “Hey, bro. How’ve you been? We miss you, man.” He was always like that, acting as if we were the best of buddies. But really, he was just after my money all the time.

“He’s looking for Sophia,” Brenda informed him with a meaningful look that wasn’t lost on me.

“Ohhh, you won’t find Sophia anywhere here,” Troy said, chuckling. “She probably left already to study abroad.”

“What?! When? Where?”

He shrugged, looking as if he was trying to rack his brain. Then his eyes lit up. “How much can I get for telling you which country she was planning to go to?”

Asshole, I silently thought, anger and frustration welling up inside me. “Forget it. I can hire private investigators, anyway.”

As soon as I turned around to leave, Troy called out, “It’s France!”

I stopped in my tracks as a shiver went through my limbs. She’s in France, I thought in alarm.

I was engulfed in shock and disbelief all at once. I hastily went inside my car and dialed her number again, feeling the steam coming out of my ears as my blood boiled.

“Why did you leave the country, Sophia?” I muttered furiously as I waited for the ring.

But to my bewilderment, no ring came. I heard an error tone, so I dialed again.

This time, an automated voice said, “Sorry, the number you dialed is not in service.”

Sophia’s POV

It had been almost three months since I arrived in France, and I couldn't believe how much my life had changed. The vibrant atmosphere, the rich culture, and the artistic ambiance of this city had truly worked their magic on me.

Initially, adjusting to life here was challenging. The language barrier, the unfamiliarity of everything, and being away from home weighed heavily on me. But gradually, I found my rhythm.

I had just entered the hall where visual displays by selected graduate students of Interior Design were being exhibited.

I was immediately greeted by a sea of familiar faces – friends, classmates, and professors – all smiling and congratulating me.

As I moved through the exhibit, the compliments kept coming. “Sophia, your designs are so innovative!” one classmate remarked. “I love how you play with light and space.”

“Thank you! I've been experimenting with new techniques,” I explained, eager to share my process.

Approaching my professor, I was met with a smile of approval. “Sophia, your work is exceptional. You have a bright future ahead of you,” he said, patting me on the back.

I smiled, beaming with pride and joy. Indeed, immersing myself in my studies has paid off very well. I’ve also jumped on all opportunities to take on creative pursuits, joining exhibits like this and even doing a side hustle designing hole-in-the-wall cafes and startup offices.

Last week, our school held a design competition, and to my surprise, I won first place. It was a validation of my talent and hard work, something I never really experienced back home since I got married.

Later on, I felt an arm around my shoulders. “Ready to celebrate, Miss Super Artist?” a familiar male voice said. I turned around to see Daniel grinning at me. “Come on, my treat.”

We headed out of the campus and into our favorite pizza place nearby. Some of our other friends came to join us too.

“Ready to order?” Daniel asked.

“Of course I’ll have the usual. With extra pepperoni, please!” I quipped happily.

Living in Paris had changed me. I felt more confident, more alive. The city had a way of inspiring me, pushing me to new heights. I was becoming the person I had always wanted to be, and it was exhilarating.

“So Sophia…” one of our friends asked me with a smile, “you’ve been looking really happy, with the glow of a mom-to-be!”

As I settled into my seat, my hand instinctively flew to my belly, caressing it gently. It was showing already, and I was proud of it. I nodded. “Yes, can’t wait to meet the little one!”

“You and Daniel are such an amazing couple, and surely you’ll make great parents too.” She motioned to Daniel with her eyes as he went to order.

“Oh no, Daniel is just my friend!” I exclaimed. “We went to high school together, but it’s only now that we became close. But we're not romantically involved.”

“What?” another friend asked with disbelief. “But you guys look great together.”

“Yeah, and you seem so perfect for each other,” someone else added. “Many of us envy your relationship.”

I laughed. “We’re just friends, really.”

“He’s always taken care of you, right? And he’s always there at your exhibits, supporting your projects, and all that.”

I smiled genuinely. “Yes, he’s a very nice man and a fantastic friend.” I gazed at the returning Daniel, thinking how lucky I was to have him in my life now. He is indeed a reliable man. He treats me better than anyone has ever treated me.

As we all laughed together, I zoned out a little and thought about my future plans. Despite the challenges I've faced, I was determined to work even harder, ideally graduating before my baby's first birthday. That way, when I find a job, I can better take care of my little one.

After eating, we went to our favorite store, one that offered a unique selection of books, music, art, and artisanal crafts from around the world.

As I perused the shelves of the cultural boutique, my eyes fell upon a book that stood out among the others. Its cover featured a lineup of young billionaires, and there, among them, was Elijah's handsome profile.

I felt a twinge of recognition, but it was fleeting. Elijah was now like a familiar stranger to me, someone from a past life that felt distant and disconnected. Brushing off the momentary nostalgia, I continued browsing, my focus shifting to other books that piqued my interest.

“Find anything you like?” Daniel quipped from behind me.

“Not yet,” I answered.

My mind drifted back to Elijah for a while. I smiled, feeling free and independent, so different from what my life used to be. I never got in touch with him again after that divorce, and it was definitely liberating.

Sure, I occasionally encountered him on TV and sometimes in magazines and newspapers, but it didn’t bother me anymore like before. I no longer paid much attention.

Why was he interested in talking to me again, anyway? He had all the chances in the world before, and he never took any. Now it’s too late.

Back at home, I continued to focus on finishing my group project, immersing myself in the intricate details and deadlines. My concentration was abruptly interrupted when the video phone rang, displaying Kayla's name.

“Hey, Kayla! What's up?” I greeted, but my smile faded as soon as her face appeared on the screen. Her expression was a storm of fury.

“You're not going to believe this,” she spat, not bothering with a hello. “I've just started working at Sinclair Realty, and guess who my boss is? That bitch Serena!”

My eyebrows shot up. “Serena? As in, Elijah's ex and the queen of mean?”

“Exactly!” Kayla huffed, her face reddening. “You can't even imagine how annoying she is. She struts around the office like she owns the place, flaunting her superiority all day long. And she's even more insufferable than Elijah on his worst days.”

I leaned forward, frowning. “Gosh, I feel you. But you’ll be okay, for sure. You’re the strongest person I know. Don’t let her get to you. Just do your best, alright?”

“Yes, I know,” Kayla agreed. She looked as if she was physically trying to calm herself down. “It’s just infuriating to deal with her every single day.”

I nodded sympathetically. “I can only imagine. Just remember, you’re there for the experience and the connections. Serena’s just a bump in the road.”

Kayla sighed, her shoulders drooping slightly. “Thanks, Sophia. I needed that pep talk.”

Suddenly, a shadowy figure appeared in the background behind Kayla, and my heart skipped a beat. Both of us froze, our eyes widening as we heard Elijah’s voice echoing faintly.

It struck me like a bolt of lightning—Kayla had been talking to me from the Sinclair Realty office!

Sophia’s POV

My heart pounded fast in my chest. I clutched my phone, where Kayla’s face was framed by the tidy office background of her new workspace.

“I'll be right back,” she hissed anxiously, glancing off-screen.

I nodded, trying to muster a semblance of calm.

The minutes stretched on, each one feeling like an eternity. I stared at the screen, willing my breathing to slow, my heart to quiet. Did Elijah hear us talking?!

Finally, Kayla returned. “Elijah's gone,” she said. “He didn't seem to hear me talking. He's meeting with Serena again, who's happy to kiss his ass.”

A bitter laugh escaped me. Then Kayla leaned forward and spoke, her voice low and confiding.

“I don't know what’s so great about Serena that Elijah would choose her over you. And, Sophia, I know you drafted the divorce settlement without including the division of property. Are you really willing to give up everything—the property and all of your supposed share in Elijah’s assets, and the man you love—for Serena?”

I swallowed hard, my throat tight.

“It’s not really about Serena,” I began, my voice trembling but growing stronger with each word.

“After I lost my child the first time, Elijah wasn’t the same. He wasn’t as nice, or as present. I mean, we didn’t marry out of love in the first place but at the beginning, he seemed to care about me, you know? Then I had a miscarriage and he was just… gone. He buried himself in work, and I was left to fend for myself every day.”

Kayla's eyes widened, and she leaned in closer, her attention rapt.

I went on. “Elijah's house, it wasn’t a home for me. His stepmother treated me like a maid, abusing me at every turn. There was no warmth, no love. Just coldness and neglect. I started thinking about divorce then… I eventually talked to a lawyer and started preparing the papers.”

I paused, the memories washing over me, painful and raw. “Serena’s arrival was just the last straw. She made me realize, once and for all, that Elijah didn’t give a damn about me. He could never learn to love me…”

Kayla’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. “Sophia, I had no idea it was that bad already. I’m so sorry.”

I offered her a weak smile, feeling a strange sense of relief. “That’s why I filed for divorce. Not because of Serena alone, but because of everything that came before. Honestly I don’t even know if they had an affair while we were still married. But it doesn’t matter… I just couldn’t keep living a life where I was constantly neglected, constantly hurting. I had to take control, for myself, for my sanity.”

Kayla’s eyes widened. “Soph, I just can’t believe it. Serena really took advantage of everything falling apart between you and Elijah. No wonder he’s been working late ever since you left. But honestly, I never saw him flirt with her after you left. Even Connor didn’t notice anything like that.”

I sighed, the old wound aching anew. “It doesn’t matter, Kayla. None of it matters to me anymore.”

Kayla's expression softened, sympathy etched in her eyes. “I know, it’s just... it’s frustrating. And by the way, Serena has been rejecting every single program I submit. Every. Single. One. She’s clearly got it out for me.”

I frowned, leaning closer to the screen. “Why don’t you go directly to Elijah? He’s professional and doesn’t let personal feelings interfere with his work.”

Kayla nodded thoughtfully. “You’re right. Maybe that’s what I need to do. Thanks, Soph.”

I gave her a small smile. “Anytime, Kayla. You’ve always got my support.”

Suddenly, I noticed her gaze shift slightly, her eyebrows raising in curiosity.

“Sophia,” she said, her voice laced with amusement, “is that Daniel outside your door?”

I glanced over my shoulder, seeing Daniel's silhouette lingering in the hallway.

Kayla giggled. “He really can't stay away from you, huh? You guys spend so much time together, helping each other out... really, won't you get attached?”

I rolled my eyes. “You know we're just friends, really…”

“Maybe for now,” she said with a wink, her tone playful. “But seriously, it's nice that you have someone around. Must make things a bit easier.”

“It does,” I admitted, smiling softly.

Kayla glanced at her watch and sighed. “I hate to cut this short, but I need to head out soon. We’ll talk again soon, okay?”

We put the phone down just as Daniel knocked and made his way in through my slightly open door. “Hi, Sophia!” He greeted me cheerfully. “Have you eaten dinner yet?”

I shook my head and explained that my conversation with Kayla had unexpectedly stretched longer than I’d expected.

“Oh, you know you can’t be missing your meals or eating too late,” Daniel said. “Let me make dinner for you.”

He strolled over to the kitchen before I could stop him.

“Hey, it’s fine,” I told him. “I’m pregnant, but I can handle that myself. Don’t stress yourself out too much.”

He smiled gently at me. “Yes, I know that. You’re truly an amazing woman, Sophia, and very much capable of taking care of yourself. But I like doing things for you, really. I enjoy being able to look out for you…”

I didn’t know how to react. He came forward and took my hand in his. “You know, ever since high school…”

I could sense where this was heading, and my heart raced. I quickly interrupted, needing to set boundaries before he could continue. “Daniel, I'm really focused on school right now,” I said, my voice firmer than I felt. “I just got divorced, and I'm pregnant. I can't think about anything else right now.”

He nodded, understanding but undeterred. “You're right,” he agreed, though his eyes held a hint of persistence. “Your focus should really be on your studies and on your baby.”

He finally let go of my hand, to my relief. “Just know that I’m always here for you.”