Chapter 3 I Believe You

Sophie came home to find Preston already back, sitting in the living room looking at his phone.

When he saw her walk in, he looked up with a gentle smile. "Where did you go? I got worried when I came back and didn't see you."

"Just went out for a walk." Sophie changed her shoes. "Been cooped up at home too long, needed some fresh air."

Preston came over and hugged her from behind. "Next time, ask me to come with you. I worry when you go out alone."

Sophie's body stiffened for a moment, then she instinctively pulled away from his embrace.

Preston's hands hung in the air, his voice dropping. "Sophie, have I not been spending enough time with you these past few days? Are you mad at me?"

Sophie didn't say anything.

"That's my fault." Preston took her hand again, his tone gentle. "How about I spend the next few days with you?"

In the past, seeing him act so devoted and considerate, Sophie would have felt guilty for being too petty.

But now, it all just looked fake to her.

Just as she was trying to figure out how to respond to Preston, a sharp female voice suddenly came from the entrance.

"Let me in! I need to see Preston!"

A servant tried helplessly to stop her. "Ms. Watson, you can't go in. Mr. Davis and Mrs. Davis are resting..."

Through the window, Sophie saw Elena's figure and turned to look at Preston.

Preston's face darkened.

He let go of Sophie's hand and strode quickly toward the door.

But it was too late. The door was pushed open and Elena rushed in.

She wore a white dress, her long hair loose, tears on her face, looking pitiful.

The moment she saw Sophie, her tears fell even harder.

"Preston..." She grabbed Preston's sleeve, her voice choked with sobs. "I couldn't find you, you wouldn't answer my calls, I had no choice but to come here..."

Sophie stood in the middle of the living room, watching it all coldly.

"What are you doing here?" Preston's voice was very low.

Elena looked up at him with tearful eyes, then looked at Sophie.

The next second, she suddenly rushed toward Sophie and dropped to her knees in front of her.

Sophie instinctively stepped back, frowning slightly.

"Sophie!" Elena grabbed her hand, crying miserably. "I'm begging you, please let Preston and me be together!"

Sophie looked down at her without speaking.

Elena cried breathlessly. "Sophie, I'm already pregnant with Preston's child. You can hit me, yell at me, but the child is innocent... You're a woman too, you should understand..."

"Elena!" Preston stepped forward and pulled her up, his face dark. "What are you talking about?"

Elena's tears fell even harder. "Preston, I really can't live without you..."

"Enough!" Preston cut her off and turned to look at Sophie, his eyes flickering. "Sophie, don't listen to her nonsense. She has mental problems. The doctor said she has delusions."

"Preston..." Elena looked at him pleadingly.

"Shut up!" Preston pulled Elena toward the door and said to Sophie, "I'll send her away first, then come back and explain everything to you."

Elena struggled, looking back at Sophie with a flash of provocation in her eyes.

Preston dragged Elena to the back garden. Sophie stood there for a moment, then quietly followed.

She hid behind the curtain by the French window. The window was open a crack, and the voices outside came through clearly.

"Elena, what exactly are you trying to do?" Preston's voice was low and angry.

Elena cried in a way that tugged at the heartstrings. "Preston, let's tell Sophie, okay? Give the child a proper place in our lives."

"Don't even think about it!" Preston's voice was icy, his tone threatening. "I'm warning you, if you dare say anything in front of Sophie again, don't blame me for what happens!"

Elena froze.

"I'm giving you three days." Preston let go of her hand. "Within three days, go to the hospital and get rid of the child. Then take the money I'm giving you and leave Paris. Go wherever you want, just don't let me see you again."

"Preston..." Elena's voice trembled. "Are you really this heartless?"

Preston didn't say anything more.

Sophie heard footsteps getting closer and quickly retreated to the living room, sitting down on the sofa.

The door opened and Preston walked in, his face already wearing a gentle expression.

"Sophie." He came over and sat down beside her, holding her hand. "Don't take what just happened to heart. Elena's mental state has never been good. She's always been prone to wild thoughts. I've already had someone take her to the hospital."

Sophie looked at him, feeling a wave of sadness wash over her.

This man didn't even blink when he lied.

"She said she's pregnant..." Sophie looked at him with distant eyes. "Is that true?"

Preston's expression stiffened for a moment, but quickly recovered. "No, it's not. That's just how she is. When she has an episode, she says all kinds of crazy things. Sophie, you believe me, don't you?"

Sophie was silent for a few seconds, then after a while, forced a strained smile. "I believe you."

Preston breathed a sigh of relief, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her forehead. "I knew it. You're the most understanding."

Sophie leaned against him, motionless.

Her phone was hidden behind her back, having secretly recorded the conversation just now.