That night was the most disgusting one Sophia had experienced in her twenty-five years.
By morning, when she walked out of the room, she could barely stand.
She called Grace, “Mom, come pick me up.”
Grace heard the weakness in her voice and, instead of being worried, was excited, “Did you succeed?”
“Yeah…” Sophia gritted her teeth, “Mom, I’ve been doing everything you told me, trying to please Sam. But he’s terrifying. I don’t think I can take much more. I’m scared I won’t hold out…”
Grace felt a pang of sympathy, “Sophia, don’t blame me. I’m doing this for our future. Emily is already powerful, and Logan is unreliable. We need to find a strong backing quickly.”
Sophia leaned against the wall, her whole body aching and bent over, “Mom, can you come get me…”
“Have Chloe pick you up. I’m out handling something.”
Sophia felt a surge of anger, “What do you have to do? Mom, I really feel awful!”
“I’m having breakfast with Mandy,” Grace lowered her voice, “Meggie doesn’t have much time left. Soon, Mandy will be the lady of the Norman household. If we build a good relationship with her, I can deal with Emily.”
Sophia gritted her teeth and said nothing.
She was an Ivy League graduate. She wasn’t pretty without makeup, but once she put it on, she was a beauty. The men she had slept with before, whether rich or poor, were all handsome. The s.ex with Sam made her feel nauseated.
But it didn’t matter, as long as she had Sam as her backing, Vincent couldn’t do anything to her.
She couldn’t go to jail! Her life couldn’t end like this!
Emily had wronged her so badly; she would keep that grudge in her heart and settle the score with her in the end!
All the humiliation she suffered, she would make Emily go through it all one by one!
In the call, Mandy's anxious voice came through, “Mrs. Morgan, who are you talking to? If you’re busy, I’ll just leave.”
Grace quickly responded with a smile, “No, it’s nothing…”
Lowering her voice, she told Sophia, “I have to hang up now. If you’re not feeling well, go home and rest. I’ll be out shopping with Mandy all day and won’t be back until the evening.”
Beep, beep, beep—
The call ended abruptly.
Sophia had no choice. She crouched in the corner for a long time before she could barely stand up and leave the hotel.
They were staying in William’s old house now.
They had no other options; they were out of money. They couldn’t afford the rent for a hotel or even a hostel. They had to return to this small house.
When Sophia was a child, living here with William and Emily didn’t feel cramped, but now that she was used to living in a large villa, this small house felt stifling.
When she returned, the house was dark, and Herry had taken over the only bed, sleeping soundly.
Sophia’s anger flared, and she kicked the bed, “It’s already so late, and you’re still sleeping? Why aren’t you going to school?”
Herry woke up with a start. Seeing Sophia, he yawned, “Oh, it’s you, my sister. What did you do all night?”
Sophia frowned, “What do you know, kid? Get up, I need to lie down.”
“No, I want to sleep.”
“Didn’t you sleep enough last night? You should be going to school!”
“Screw school,” Herry turned over, his back to Sophia, completely ignoring her, “School is annoying. The teachers are always on my case. I argued with one yesterday. I’m not going back.”
Sophia had no choice but to retreat to the small sofa and try to rest.
The single-seater sofa was bought over ten years ago. Its fabric was torn, and the springs poked through, making it very uncomfortable to sit on.
Sophia said, “You’re Logan’s son. Go find him and live a good life. Why are you staying with us?”
“I hate him,” Herry replied bluntly, “He’s a hypocrite.”
“He’s still your biological father.”
Herry sneered, “He’s Emily’s biological father too. Look how he treats her. I don’t recognize him as my dad.”
Sophia smiled bitterly, “You and Emily get along so well? Logan treats you well because you’re a boy, his heir. He won’t treat you badly. Go back to him. This place is too small; it’s already cramped with just Mom and me.”
“No way,” Herry hugged his blanket, “I’m staying here. Don’t bother me; I want to sleep.”
“Hey, Herry, this isn’t your home! Given how your dad treated me, it’s already kind of me not to kick you out. But this is my home. No one spoils you here, and this isn’t your place to act out!”
Herry covered his ears, choosing to ignore her.
Sophia was furious, but she wasn’t sure she could take on a ten-year-old boy, especially since she felt so unwell.
She had no choice but to yank the blanket from Herry, spread it on the floor, and lie down.
Now even a child could bully her.
Sophia snorted coldly, closed her eyes, and curled up into a ball.
…
Grace hung up the phone and returned to her seat, apologizing carefully, “Sorry about that, Mandy. It was Sophia. She’s not feeling well.”
Mandy sighed wistfully, “I envy you, Sophia is on your side, unlike my childern. They both like Emily. My son even argued with me over her! I just don’t get it. What’s so great about Emily that he doesn’t even support his own mother?”
Mandy was miserable at home.
Meggie had more power than her, so she had no authority at home. Her husband favored Vincent, and even her children weren’t on her side. They even called Emily their sister-in-law.
Sister-in-law, my foot!
Shopping was the only thing that lifted Mandy’s spirits. Although Mrs. Morgan had tricked her once before, her respectful attitude made Mandy feel flattered. Listening to Mrs. Morgan talk was the only thing that made Mandy feel better.