Chapter 26: The Perfect Deception

Three months had passed since Ethan was born.

Spring had arrived in London.

The snow had melted, replaced by blooming flowers and longer, brighter days.

Evelyn had finally settled into a comfortable routine.

Her mornings belonged to Ethan.

She sang to him while preparing breakfast, read him colourful picture books, and took him for walks through the neighbourhood whenever the weather was pleasant.

Her afternoons were filled with feeding, changing nappies, and stealing naps whenever Ethan allowed her a few peaceful minutes.

It wasn't easy.

But she had never been happier.

Thousands of miles away, however, peace was nowhere to be found inside the Sterling Mansion.

Although Sophia had moved into the mansion shortly after Evelyn signed the divorce papers, she still didn't have the one thing she wanted most.

She wasn't Mrs. Sterling.

She was simply Damian's girlfriend.

And lately...

Even that title felt uncertain.

---

Sophia woke up alone in the master bedroom.

She reached across the bed.

The other side was cold.

Damian had already left for work.

She sighed heavily.

Months ago, she had imagined waking up beside her husband every morning.

Instead, Damian spent more nights sleeping in the guest room or working until dawn in his study.

Their relationship was slowly falling apart.

Sophia slipped on her silk robe and walked downstairs.

The housekeeper greeted her politely.

"Good morning, Miss Hayes."

Sophia forced a smile.

"Where's Damian?"

"Mr. Sterling left for the office an hour ago."

Again.

Without even saying goodbye.

Sophia clenched her jaw.

---

That evening, Damian finally returned home.

He looked exhausted.

His tie was loose, and dark circles rested beneath his eyes.

Sophia hurried towards him.

"You're home."

Damian nodded.

"I've had a long day."

"I prepared dinner."

"I'm not hungry."

He handed his briefcase to the butler.

"I'll be in the study."

Before Sophia could say another word...

He was gone.

She stood frozen in the hallway.

She couldn't remember the last time they had shared a proper conversation.

Or laughed together.

Or even eaten at the same table.

Something had changed.

And she was terrified of what it meant.

The following afternoon, Sophia met her best friend, Vanessa, at an exclusive café.

The moment Vanessa saw her, she frowned.

"You look miserable."

Sophia stirred her coffee absentmindedly.

"I'm losing him."

"What happened?"

"He barely speaks to me anymore."

"He comes home late."

"He avoids me."

"And whenever I bring up marriage..."

"He changes the subject."

Vanessa leaned back in her chair.

"Do you think he's regretting divorcing Evelyn?"

Sophia immediately looked away.

"I don't know."

"But sometimes..."

"I catch him staring into space."

"It's like he's thinking about someone else."

Vanessa was quiet for a moment.

Then she lowered her voice.

"If you can't win his heart..."

"Make sure he can't walk away."

Sophia frowned.

"What are you talking about?"

"A baby."

Sophia laughed bitterly.

"I'm not pregnant."

Vanessa smiled.

"You don't need to be."

Those four words echoed in Sophia's mind long after lunch ended.

The next morning, Sophia drove to one of the city's most prestigious private hospitals.

She wore dark sunglasses and a designer scarf that partially covered her face.

After speaking quietly with the receptionist, she was escorted to the office of Dr. Leonard Brooks.

The doctor looked up from his desk.

"What can I do for you, Miss Hayes?"

Sophia placed a thick envelope on the table between them.

The doctor glanced inside.

Bundles of cash.

His expression immediately hardened.

"What is this?"

"A business proposal."

"I don't do business with patients."

Sophia calmly folded her hands.

"I need your help."

The doctor remained silent.

"I need medical records stating that I'm approximately three months pregnant."

The room fell silent.

Dr. Brooks stared at her in disbelief.

"You understand what you're asking?"

"I do."

"I'd be committing fraud."

Sophia pushed the envelope closer.

"And you'll be well compensated."

"I could lose everything."

"No one will ever know."

For nearly a minute...

Neither of them spoke.

Finally...

The doctor slowly reached for the envelope.

"What exactly do you need?"

Sophia smiled.

"A complete maternity file."

"Blood test results."

"Ultrasound reports."

"And records showing that I've already had my first prenatal appointment."

The doctor closed his eyes briefly.

Then opened a blank patient file.

"I'll prepare everything."

An hour later, Sophia walked out of the hospital carrying a sealed medical folder.

Inside were official-looking hospital documents.

Blood test results.

Prenatal examination records.

An ultrasound image.

Every page appeared genuine.

Even experienced doctors would struggle to question them at first glance.

Sophia smiled to herself.

"This changes everything."

That evening, she returned to the Sterling Mansion.

Damian was sitting alone in his study, reviewing documents.

A soft knock interrupted him.

"Come in."

Sophia stepped inside.

Her eyes were red as if she had been crying.

One hand trembled as she clutched the medical file against her chest.

Damian immediately noticed something was wrong.

"Sophia?"

Without saying a word, she placed the file on his desk.

He frowned and opened it.

His eyes moved slowly across the pages.

Blood test...

Prenatal records...

Ultrasound report...

He looked up sharply.

"What is this?"

Sophia lowered her head.

Tears rolled silently down her cheeks.

"I went to the hospital today because I wasn't feeling well."

Her voice cracked.

"The doctor said..."

She paused, pretending to struggle with the words.

"...I'm pregnant."

The study fell into complete silence.

Damian looked from the medical file to Sophia.

Then back again.

The hospital documents appeared authentic.

Every report carried official stamps and signatures.

He slowly lowered himself into his chair.

His mind was racing.

Pregnant?

How?

When?

Sophia wiped away another tear.

"I didn't know how to tell you."

"I was scared."

Damian remained silent for what felt like an eternity.

Finally, he spoke.

"If you're carrying my child..."

His voice was calm but unreadable.

"I won't run away from my responsibility."

Sophia's heart leapt with triumph.

She threw her arms around him, hiding the victorious smile that spread across her face.

Her plan had worked.

Or so she believed.