Chapter 7
It was Monica![]
Sophie’s heart hammered against her ribs, her knuckles white as she gripped the phone. “Tm on my way back.“]
She drove home like a madwoman
The nanny was pacing anxiously in the foyer. Seeing Sophie, she rushed over, her voice choked with tears.[]
“Ma’am, I couldn’t stop them… Mr. Wilson called personally and told me to let them in.“]]
As Sophie entered, she saw Joseph sprawled on the floor, playing with glass marbles that were rolling everywhere.[]
The boy saw her and shrieked, “Mommy, look! The mean lady who tried to steal my blood is back!”
And Monica… was standing over Dawn’s crib, her finger hovering near the baby’s cheek, cooing softly.
“Get away from my daughter!”
Sophie lunged and shoved her away.
Monica stumbled back a step, but instead of getting angry, a slow, malicious smile spread across her face.[]
“Let me remind you, Ms. Harris.”
“Matthew and I are the legally recognized couple. That makes you the dirty little secret. This house you’re living in is our marital property, and I can have you thrown out on the street whenever I want.“[]
The words were like needles of ice, piercing Sophie’s heart so deeply that even breathing hurt. And yet, she couldn’t refute them
“I was already done with trash like Matthew. I’m leaving.”
She gritted her teeth, her knuckles white. “But until I do, you get out of my house! Or I’ll call the press right now and expose your disgusting affair to the world. As far as this city is concerned, I’m still Mrs. Wilson.”
“Let’s see whose reputation suffers if you push me too far.“]
you you are? The law is on my side! You’re the bitch who needs
Struck a nerve, Monica shrieked in fury. “Who L to get out!”
the hell do think
Sophie looked up, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “If I leave him, I still have the entire Harris family fortune to back me up.“[]
“And you? A maid who seduced her boss? So what if you have a marriage license? Do you really think he’d ever publicly acknowledge a woman with your background?“]
“My guess is you’re destined to be his dirty little secret forever.“]
*Shut up!”
Venom filled Monica’s eyes as she swung her hand hard at Sophie’s face.
CRACK
The sharp sound of a slap echoed through the living room.
Sophie’s check stung, but she didn’t even blink. She retaliated with a much harder slap of her ownL
The room had security cameras. The footage would show who started it.
But just then, a strange, choked sound came from the crib.
Sophie whipped her head around, her pupils constricting in horror.[]
Joseph was quickly pulling his hand out of the crib, but she had seen it clearly–he had just shoved something into her daughter’s mouth!]
It was a glass marble!]
“Dawn!”
Sophie’s heart nearly leaped out of her chest. She scrambled to pick up her daughter, her hands trembling as she patted the baby’s back.]
“Spit it out… please, spit it out!”
“Sophie, what the hell are you doing to our daughter?!”
Matthew’s furious shout came from the doorway. He stormed in, his face turning to thunder as he saw Sophie “tormenting” the baby.
Monica immediately ran to his side, her eyes red as she explained, “Matthew, you’re back! Joseph just loves his little sister, he wanted to play with her, show her his marble, but Ms. Harris completely overreacted…“)
Sophie ignored her, frantically trying to clear her daughter’s airway with her trembling fingers, her voice strained.]
“It’s okay, Dawn, sweetie, just spit it out… Mama’s here…“]
Matthew couldn’t watch anymore and snatched the baby away. “Are you crazy? You’re going to hurt her!”
SMACK!]
Another sharp crack, as her hand connected solidly with Matthew’s face.
“You hit me?” he stammered, covering his cheek, his eyes wide with disbelief.
Startled by the sound, Dawn gagged violently. A round glass marble rolled out of her mouth, thudding onto the carpet. A. heart wrenching wail followed, her little face turning crimson.]
“Do you see it now?!”
Sophie screamed, her eyes red–rimmed, pointing at the marble on the floor. “That little monster shoved a marble into your newborn daughter’s mouth! Are you blind?!”
She snatched her daughter back, holding her tight, her gaze on Monica and her son as sharp and venomous as a poisoned
blade.
Matthew’s expression finally changed. He turned and pulled Joseph over. “Joseph, apologize to the lady and your sister. Now.”
But Joseph just burst into tears, kicking and screaming on the floor. “Mean daddy! I don’t want you! Waaaah…]
The two sets of cries merged into a single, ear–splitting wail.[]
“Alright, alright, he’s just a kid, he doesn’t know any better. He doesn’t have to apologize.”
Matthew immediately scooped his son into his arms, patting his back with concern. When he looked back at Sophile, his eyes were cold again.]]
“Kids play rough. they don’t know their own strength. Why are you being so dramatic? Sophie, you’re the adult here, can’t you act like one? How are you going to raise a daughter if you’re like this?“]
“Get out!”
His words flayed her heart raw. She pointed to the door and, with all her strength, slapped him across the face again.
“Take your wife and your son, and get the hell out of my house!”
