Chapter 17
In the NYC afternoon, sunlight streamed through the floor–to–ceiling windows, casting warm patches across the floor.
Sophie stood by the window, gently patting her daughter, who was nestled in her arms.
For the first few days in the new city. Dawn had been unsettled, sleeping poorly at night. She had only just started to adjust.
“Hey, honey. You look tired.”
A familiar, gentle voice came from the foyer as Ethan Delaney walked in, looking weary from his travels [
He had just closed a nine–figure deal in the next city over. He’d skipped the celebration dinner to come straight home.
“You rest for a bit. Let me take her.”
You
Ethan walked over and carefully took the baby from her arms, his eyes filled with an undeniable tenderness as he hummed a little song he’d made up.]
The nanny, Mrs. Donovan, couldn’t help but smile. “Mr. Delaney took a ‘new dad‘ course just for our little princess. He’s better at changing diapers and burping her than we are now!]
Watching Ethan coo at the baby, a warmth spread through Sophie’s chest.
He never cared that Dawn was Matthew’s biological child. He treated her as his own, even remembering her feeding schedule
down to the minute.
And Dawn adored him. The sound of his voice was enough to make her break into a gummy, giggling smile.
For that genuine love alone, she knew her decision to leave Matthew had been the right one.]
Sophie’s mother came out of the study, a scornful look on her face. “Sophie, the staff from the old house just called. Matthew Wilson showed up at the gate, demanding to see you. I had them throw him out.”
“The man just won’t go away.“]
Sophie’s brow furrowed for a moment, then relaxed. “We’re in the Delaney villa now. The security here is intense. He shouldn’t
be able to find us.”
Ethan, still holding Dawn, came closer. “Don’t worry. The Delaney security system is military grade. If he dares to cause trouble, the guards will throw him out before I even have to lift a finger.“[]
Sophie couldn’t help but laugh at their back–and–forth, the last shadows of worry lifting from her eyes.[]
Hearing Matthew’s name now no longer brought the heart–wrenching pain it once did. Now, it was just a faint, unpleasant feeling, like a grain of sand in her food.]
The past was past. All she wanted now was to embrace her new life.[]
On the day of the wedding, the city’s top hotel was transformed into a dreamscape.]
Nearly every prominent figure in the city was in attendance.[]
Sophie, wearing a one–of–a–kind, handcrafted couture wedding gown, walked slowly down the aisle.[]
At the end of the aisle. Ethan stood in a sharp tuxedo, his gaze fixed on her with pure adoration.]
Murmurs of admiration rippled through the guests. “A match made in heaven.”
Sophie’s eyes swept over the room, and without a moment’s hesitation, she reached out and took Ethan’s hand.[]
Compared to the perfunctory wedding with Matthew all those years ago, this–all of this–was the real, stable life she had always wanted]
As the ceremony reached the vows, the officiant’s gentle voice echoed through the hall. “Sophie Harris, do you take this man, Ethan Delaney, to be your lawfully wedded husband, for better or for worse…”
Before he could finish, the grand doors of the ballroom were thrown open with a bang.
“Sophie!“]
A hoarse cry shattered the warm atmosphere. Matthew rushed in like a madman, his eyes bloodshot, staring at the couple at the end of the aisle.
“You can’t marry him! Come back to mer
