MasukAlex’s expression changed. He glanced at the space between them, then back at her face. He slowly lowered his hands. “Did something happen?”Sophia let out a short, dry laugh that sounded from somewhere deeply hurt in her chest. “Are you really asking me that?”He frowned. “What?”How easy it was for him to feign ignorance and act like he had no idea what she was talking about. It gnawed at her because he had deceived her easily.She finally looked at him, anger rising in her chest, “Don’t stand there pretending you don’t know what’s wrong because I am not about to do this back and forth with you.”Alex searched her face, clearly confused. “I don’t understand. What happened?” He stepped closer, wanting to reach for her but she increased the gap between them, leaving him to stare at the distance she had created.He sighed, “Sweetheart, we really need to talk. I have no idea what’s going on and this…” He pointed at the space between them, “I don’t like this.”She shook her head, her eye
Beth and Evelyn stayed back till evening and to Sophia’s surprise she was able to blend into every single conversation without them being suspicious that she was hiding something which was hurting her deeply.“Auntieee,” Addie climbed onto Beth’s leg.“Yes, pumpkin. What’s wrong?” She asked when she noticed the expression on Addie’s face.“Notign serious, I was just wondering when you two are going to come around next, Because I really, really love having you two around.”“I bet it’s because mommy excuses you to take cookies and sweets when they are around.” Aiden said from beside his mom.Addie gasped and feigned a shocked expression, her hand to her heart, “Why would you say that. That’s wrong and that’s definitely not true,” She pressed her lips together, “maybe, it’s part of the truth, but it’s not the whole truth. It takes a very little percentage, so don’t say that again, okay? It really hurts my feelings that you’d think that of me.” She turned back to Beth, her gaze shifting be
Sophia was still sitting on the sofa when the doorbell rang again.She glanced towards the entrance, and for a moment, she considered pretending she wasn’t home, but the ringing continued, followed by a familiar voice calling her name from outside.“Sophia! Open the door!”She closed her eyes briefly.Beth.Sophia wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand and took a moment to compose herself. She picked up the file, hesitated, then placed it inside the drawer beneath the television stand. She wasn’t ready to look at it again, especially not with her friends around. She’d rather not have to talk about it at all.After checking her reflection in the dark television screen, she made her way to the door.“Finally!” Beth exclaimed as soon as it opened. “Were you planning to make us stand out here all afternoon?”Sophia managed a small smile. “I’m sorry, I was in the kitchen and didn’t hear the doorbell.”“Really?” Beth raised an eyebrow. “Because I’ve been ringing it like someone trying t
Sophia stared at the man standing beside Emily, her eyes lingering on the leather briefcase he held in one hand. The more she stared, the deeper her frown, especially when she noticed he was a lawyer.She looked back at her mother-in-law, whose expression remained far too calm for someone who had shown up at her doorstep without warning.“Can I help you?” Sophia asked, although she already had a sinking feeling that whatever Emily had come to discuss was not going to be pleasant.Emily stepped forward, seemingly expecting her to move aside. “Are you going to leave us standing out here?”Sophia frowned. This was her house, she could do it if she wanted to, but for some reason she couldn’t find herself to do just that. Regardless of their differences, Emily was still Alex’s mom. She hesitated before opening the door wider.“Come in.”Emily walked past her without a word, followed by the lawyer. Sophia closed the door and turned around, watching as the two settled into the living room.“W
Sophia was halfway through her breakfast when Alex placed his phone on the table and looked at her with an expression that made her furrow her brows slightly.“What?” she asked, glancing up from her plate.He shook his head and shrugged, taking a sip from her water. “Nothing.”“Alex.”He raised an eyebrow. “Am I not allowed to look at my wife?”“You are. But that particular look usually means you’re about to ask me something.”“No,” he said, knotting his tie while his gaze was still on her. “Perhaps I simply enjoy looking at you.”Sophia tried to suppress her smile and failed. She shook her head, laughing softly, and returned to her breakfast.They sat close to each other, savoring the little peace they had since Addie and Aiden were still upstairs.“How were the children yesterday?” she asked a moment later.Alex pulled an empty chair closer to her and sat down, “Aiden has decided he wants to run a company when he grows up.”“He decided he wants to follow your steps? Just like that?”
Sophia had barely settled into her office when her phone rang.She glanced at the screen, expecting it to be Alex checking on her again. Instead, she found herself staring at a name she had hoped wouldn’t interrupt her morning.For a moment, Sophia considered letting the call go unanswered. She had no desire to start another argument or a conversation that would leave her unsettled. But so far she had come to realize that Alice had a way of turning a person’s silence into an accusation, and Sophia wasn’t in the mood to give her another reason to play the victim.She answered.“Hello, Alice.”“Good morning, Sophia. I hope I’m not disturbing you.” Sophia leaned back in her chair. “Is there something you need?”A brief silence followed.Alice cleared her throat and let out a small breath, “I only wanted to check on you. I know things have been difficult lately, and I thought perhaps we could talk.”Sophia almost laughed. Alice had never been particularly interested in her well-being bef
Sophia felt foolish for believing a miracle would happen—that Alex would cherish her the way she had always dreamed. He wanted a divorce, and as she always had, she would listen to him. Sitting on the bedroom floor, she let out a shaky breath. He had given her twenty-four hours, but she had no rea
Alex snapped his fingers. “Two weeks ago, on Friday, you sent me a text about staying over at a friend’s place, didn’t you?” His voice was sharp, his pale green eyes fixed on Sophia with an intensity that made her stomach churn. She frowned. “Me? Sent you a text?” Confusion flickered across her fac
Sophia glanced down at the plate of food before her. Absent-mindedly, she rubbed her abdomen, and let out a soft breath. Hopefully, the presence of a new life between them would tighten their bond. Hopefully. The house was silent and uninviting, as usual. She couldn’t wait for Alex to return. Bar
When Alex had mentioned the family dinner, Sophia expected it to be a small gathering with simply his grandfather, mother, and father, along with his siblings and then him. She hadn't been expecting a huge gathering where all the Carters she knew were in one place. The car stopped in the driveway







