Sophia, Let's Go Home

"I'm here to get my things," Sophia said as she walked toward the door.

"Sophia, even you are one of my things in this house," Abigail snapped, her eyes filled with suspicion. She was afraid Sophia would steal something valuable. "Stop right there and let me search your bag."

Sophia shook off Abigail's hand. "I didn’t take anything from you."

"If you didn’t, then why won’t you let me check?" Abigail grabbed Sophia’s handbag again.

Sophia was about to dodge, but before she could react, Abigail had already opened the bag and reached inside.

Sophia’s pupils shrank. Her birth certificate was inside...

"Abigail." Henry’s voice suddenly rang out. A pair of strong hands pulled Abigail back. "Sophia is our daughter. Don't suspect her like this."

"Henry, you’ve got some nerve! What are you interfering for?" Abigail kicked Henry angrily, then glared at Sophia. "You better not have stolen my jewelry, or I’ll kill you. Now, I don’t want to see either of you. Get out!"

Henry pulled Sophia away.

"Once they leave, find a locksmith and change all the locks!" Abigail roared. "That ungrateful brat is not allowed to step foot in this house again!"

Outside, Henry let go of Sophia and rubbed his hands nervously. "Sophia, you know how your mother is. Next time you come home, let me know in advance. I’ll take her out beforehand."

"Dad..." Sophia looked at Henry. "You..."

"What is it?" Henry asked.

"It’s nothing," Sophia said, shaking her head. "Thanks for helping me, Dad."

Henry opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he just sighed and turned back toward the house.

Sophia had wanted to ask Abigail about her real origins, but she knew Abigail would never admit she wasn't her biological mother. Abigail saw Sophia as her personal cash cow. If she admitted the truth, she wouldn’t be able to control her anymore.

Even if Abigail did confess, she would only use Sophia’s desire for the truth to force her into submission. She’d make her kneel before Joseph and Mia. Sophia wouldn’t let either of those things happen.

As night fell, Sophia sat alone in the park, staring blankly ahead. She didn't want to go back to the apartment, where Ava and Abigail might be waiting to insult her. And she didn’t want to return to the estate either. Her marriage to Robert was just a contract. That place wasn’t her home.

For the first time, she felt completely lost.

She was nothing more than a stray child. No parents, no home.

Suddenly, a pair of long legs appeared in front of her. A familiar scent surrounded her.

She looked up to see Robert standing there, his sharp, phoenix-like eyes watching her closely.

"Master Miller..." Her voice was hoarse with surprise.

Robert’s face remained expressionless, but his fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles had turned white.

He had been watching her for a long time. Ever since she had sat down, lost in her thoughts.

It was the first time he had ever seen her—so strong and confident—looking so fragile and lonely. She sat there like an abandoned child, isolating herself from the world.

Without a word, Robert extended his hand toward her.

Sophia was startled.

"Master Miller..."

Robert’s lips pressed into a thin line. A cold air surrounded him, clearly unhappy with her hesitation. He reached out and pulled her up, then wrapped his arms around her.

Sophia tensed, but for some reason, she felt incredibly safe. Slowly, her body relaxed.

Robert’s grip on her tightened. His eyes held back emotions he refused to show, as if he wanted to hold her so close she became part of him.

"Let’s go home." His voice was deep and steady, carrying an undeniable sense of patience.

Sophia's mind shook.

"Okay," she whispered.

She realized that tonight, she wasn’t homeless.

At least she still had Robert.

When they arrived at the mansion, Robert finally let go of her.

As soon as she stepped inside, Anthony ran up and hugged her leg. "Baby!"

Sophia picked him up indulgently. "Didn't I tell you not to wait for me?"

Anthony shook his head stubbornly, his little face full of refusal.

"I don’t know what to do with you," Sophia sighed helplessly.

"Madam, young master is in the dining room. Please have your meal first," the butler said.

Sophia walked into the dining room and saw Robert sitting there. She frowned. "It’s already past ten. Why haven’t you eaten yet?"

"I was waiting for you," Robert replied.

Sophia was taken aback. "Waiting for me? You don’t have to do that. From now on, just eat without me. Besides, I don’t have much of an appetite tonight."

"Sit down and eat," Robert said firmly. His tone left no room for refusal.

Sophia sat down, but she had no appetite. The thought that she might not be Abigail’s biological daughter kept swirling in her mind.

"Wow..."

Suddenly, Anthony threw up.

"Baby!" Sophia quickly turned to Anthony, who was sitting beside her. She had been so lost in thought that she hadn’t noticed his flushed cheeks.

Seeing this, she immediately reached out and touched his forehead. It was burning hot.

"Call the doctor," Robert said, his eyes filled with concern.

"Doctor’s daughter is sick, so he went home tonight. He’s not at the estate," Uncle Mark said hurriedly.

"Get the car ready. We’re going to the hospital," Robert ordered. He bent down, carefully holding Anthony in his arms. "Where does it hurt?"

Anthony pointed at his stomach but didn’t want Robert to carry him. He reached out his little hands toward Sophia, asking her to hold him instead.

Sophia hesitated before speaking. "Master Miller... I’ll hold the baby."

Robert had no choice but to hand Anthony over to her.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"Back to the bedroom," Sophia replied and quickly carried Anthony in that direction.

"Sophia!" Robert hurried after her. "Our son needs to go to the hospital!"

Sophia didn’t respond. After bringing Anthony to the bedroom, she took out a small pouch from her bag and pulled out a silver needle.

"Baby, open your mouth and let me see your tongue," she said gently.

Anthony obediently opened his mouth.

"Sophia, what are you doing?" Robert frowned.

"Master Miller, please don’t interrupt," Sophia said firmly. She rubbed her hands together for warmth, then gently placed her palms on Anthony’s stomach.

"Relax, baby. I’m just checking your tummy, okay? Just relax," she comforted him when she felt his body tense under her touch.

Hearing Sophia’s soothing voice, Anthony slowly relaxed.

Sophia then carefully checked his pulse.

"Bloating, yellow tongue coating, and a tight pulse... It’s wind-heat," she muttered to herself. Then, she took out a small packet of Banlangen from her bag and handed it to Robert. "Make a cup of warm water with this. He doesn’t need any medicine."

Robert didn’t move right away. Seeing his hesitation, Sophia became anxious. "What are you doing? Can’t you see the baby is suffering?"

Robert’s eyes flickered. Without another word, he took the packet from her hand.

Sophia hugged Anthony close. "Baby, you have to drink all the water Daddy makes for you, okay? It will help you feel better. Otherwise, Daddy and I will be really worried."

Anthony leaned weakly against Sophia and nodded.

Sophia glanced at her silver needle and bit her lip. "Baby, I want to use a silver needle to help you. Can I?"

Anthony looked confused.

Sophia took out the needle and said softly, "You threw up because your stomach is bloated. I need to help you feel better."

Anthony’s eyes widened, and he quickly shook his head.

"Baby, does your tummy hurt a lot?" Sophia asked.

Anthony nodded, his little face scrunched up in pain.

"It won’t hurt, I promise," Sophia reassured him. "Just close your eyes, relax, and let me take care of you. I’ll make your little tummy feel comfortable, okay?"

Anthony hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

Sophia gently laid him on the bed and picked up the silver needle.

Suddenly, Robert stormed into the room, grabbing Sophia’s hand. "Sophia, what do you think you’re doing?!"