Chapter 3: Encounter with Lily

Sophia Evans turned, her lips curving into a soft smile. "Aunt Amelia, I don't want to drag you into this."

With those words, she walked away, leaving Amelia Scott's tears silently falling. Sophia Evans' mother had been her mentor, and yet she felt powerless to protect her mentor's daughter. How could she ever face her teacher now?

Outside the obstetrics department, Sophia waved the test result in front of Noah Bennett. "Look closely. I'm not pregnant. So, you can report back."

Noah Bennett looked embarrassed. "where would you like to go? I can drive you," he offered, almost nervously. "This is the boss's instruction."

"I don't like being followed. You can tell Mason Clarke that I'll visit his grandmother, but right now, I have other things to take care of." Her displeasure was evident.

"Understood," Noah nodded.

As Sophia turned to leave, she realized she'd forgotten her phone and returned to retrieve it. Just as she stepped outside again, a voice called her name.

"Sophia Evans." Lily Foster's voice pierced through the air.

Sophia's body stiffened—how could she run into her here?

She turned slowly, meeting Lily Foster's gaze. Lily was pale, dressed in a hospital gown, yet she still retained her beauty. Though Sophia and Lily resembled each other, their auras couldn't be more different. Sophia exuded a natural charm, with purity in her eyes, while Lily's beauty was marked by aloofness. The two were worlds apart.

Sophia frowned. "What are you doing here?"

Lily's cold eyes flickered with a hint of jealousy. "I'm hospitalized. Leukemia."

Sophia paused, her surprise evident. "Leukemia?"

"Mason Clarke arranged for me to be treated here," Lily's lips curled faintly. "I heard the leukemia treatment methods used here were perfected by your parents."

The bile rose in Sophia's throat. How revolting to think that her parents' medical legacy was being used to save her rival.

"Well, then, take care of yourself," Sophia replied icily, already turning to leave.

"Sophia Evans," Lily called out again, her tone laced with melancholy. "Give Mason Clarke back to me."

Sophia froze.

"Had you not intervened, I would have married him three years ago," Lily continued bitterly. "Because of you, we lost so many years together. Now, my body is failing. Are you still going to hold on to him? He doesn't love you at all!"

Sophia's face remained calm. "How absurd. If he wants a divorce, he can talk to me directly. Why send you? Is he so cowardly, so devoid of courage?"

Though Sophia knew Lily was trying to provoke her, to make her feel how much Mason still cared for her, the words stung. After all, she had loved that man for so many years.

"Mason Clarke simply pities you," Lily spat, her lip trembling. "You have no family, and his grandmother adores you. But you've forgotten—he never loved you, not even a little!"

Sophia's eyes glinted with mockery. "And how are you so sure there isn't a little?"

Lily was taken aback.

"If he doesn't care for me," Sophia's voice chilled, "why does he still touch me?"

Lily's body trembled slightly, her gaze shifting beyond Sophia. "Mason Clarke?!"

Sophia smirked, realizing she had been duped.

Turning around, she met the eyes of the cold, strikingly handsome man standing behind her.

"I'm just here for a check-up. I won't interrupt you two," she said, preparing to leave.

"The results?" Mason Clarke's voice was as icy as his demeanor.

Sophia pulled the test results from her bag and slipped them into his suit pocket, her smile playful. "Rest easy, I'm not pregnant."

Mason took the papers out, feeling a fleeting discomfort. For a moment, he had allowed himself to hope. But that feeling dissipated quickly.

"Since you're not pregnant, let's discuss what comes next," Mason stated coolly.

"Here?" Sophia pouted, looking a bit aggrieved. "I haven't eaten anything yet, all because I came here for this check-up."

"Then let's eat," Mason replied with his usual indifference.

"You'll take me?" Sophia's lips curled mischievously. "We can talk while we eat."

Mason's expression remained stoic. "Don't try anything foolish."

Sophia's soft laughter rang out, melodic and teasing. "If I were truly being foolish, you'd already be kneeling before your grandmother. All I want is to share a meal."

Mason frowned slightly.

"Mason, go with her," Lily interjected, ever the picture of understanding. "I'll wait here for you to return."

Sophia's lips tugged upward as she hooked her arm around Mason's. "Lily Foster has given her blessing, so let's go. There's a health food place nearby I've been wanting to try for ages."

Lily's eyes flashed with venom as she watched Sophia cling to Mason.

Mason glanced at Lily. "Rest in your room. I'll be back soon."

"Alright." Lily bit her lip. "Come back soon, I'll wait for you to have lunch with me."

Mason nodded briefly before Sophia led him away.

They arrived at the health food restaurant nearby, and Sophia lazily perused the menu. "Mason, what will you have?"

"I'm not eating," came his cold reply.

"Saving your appetite for lunch with Lily Foster? I get it," Sophia remarked nonchalantly. She waved to the waiter. "I'll have a bowl of abalone porridge and a grilled steak, please."

"Right away," the waiter responded, retreating swiftly.

Mason frowned. "You're eating that much?"

Mason knew her appetite well—she barely ate anything, always full after just a few bites.

"Mason, it's just porridge and steak, and you're already accusing me of overeating?" Sophia pouted pitifully. "Or is your company bankrupt, and you can't afford it?"

"Just eat," Mason retorted coldly.

At times, her playfulness was endearing. Other times, downright infuriating. But Mason had to admit, the three years with Sophia by his side had made the wait for Lily's return bearable.

The food arrived, and Sophia began to eat, her hunger evident. It wasn't just her who was starving—her unborn child was, too.

She puffed out her cheeks, cooling the porridge before placing it into her mouth, looking as adorable as a little squirrel.

"So, what did you want to discuss?" Sophia asked softly.

"What did Lily say to you earlier?" Mason's tone remained frosty.

Sophia frowned—was this an interrogation?

"She told me she has leukemia," Sophia answered.

"That's correct," Mason responded gravely. "I was getting her a bone marrow match earlier. It turns out there's a donor here at the hospital with a perfect match. Care to guess who that person is?"

Sophia's heart skipped a beat. "Are you saying… it's me?"