Chapter 8

Despite being humiliated by Robert again, Sophia felt considerably lighter.

Once the party was over, she'd finally be able to end this kind of life.

To find a new job as quickly as possible, Sophia sent out over a dozen resumes and used her weekend to go on interviews.

But she never expected to run into that man from the bar again—the one she'd offended.

Right now, he was wearing a custom-tailored suit and frameless glasses, sitting seriously in an office chair.

When Sophia walked in, he gave her a warm smile. "Do you remember me?"

Sophia bit her lip awkwardly. She honestly wished she could forget.

"I'm really sorry. Last time I mistook you for someone else and caused you trouble. I apologize."

The man laughed casually. "It's nothing. By the way, let me introduce myself. My name is Henry, and I'm today's interviewer."

Even though Henry seemed sunny and easygoing, Sophia was afraid he might use the incident that day to settle a personal grudge. She answered questions extra carefully.

"Ms. Windsor, your resume shows you graduated from a top university with a major in biochemistry. Why didn't you pursue work in that field?"

Just as the interview was wrapping up, Henry's question made Sophia freeze on the spot.

Why she hadn't pursued work in her field was the biggest painful point in her life.

Her sadness affected Henry across from her. He immediately raised his hand, looking apologetic. "Sorry, I didn't mean to offend. It's just that a friend of mine has a biochemistry team that's short-handed. I saw your resume and thought you'd be a perfect fit. I was wondering if you still have any interest in working in your field?"

That sentence hit pause on Sophia's sadness.

She'd never imagined she could return to the biochemistry field she was most passionate about.

"Can I really? But I haven't worked in it for three years..."

Before Sophia could finish, Henry interrupted with a smile. "Ms. Windsor, forgive me for being blunt, but while biochemistry develops rapidly, a three-year gap isn't insurmountable. As long as you're willing, catching up is entirely possible."

Sophia's heartbeat involuntarily quickened.

But reason quickly brought her back. This man before her was a stranger she'd only met once. She couldn't let herself be led around so easily.

"Mr. Smith, thank you for the suggestion. I'll seriously consider it. I also hope you'll seriously consider my application for this position."

Henry said frankly, "You're excellent. If you don't plan to go to my friend's place, I'll definitely hire you."

His wording was direct, but his tone was utterly sincere, without any ambiguity.

Sophia was stunned again.

During her three years at the Howard Group, she'd dealt with trivial matters day in and day out. Even when she occasionally completed complex work, she'd never received a single word of praise.

Henry's high praise left her flustered.

She hurriedly stood up. "I'll head back now. I'll wait for your official notice."

To her surprise, as soon as she walked out of the office, Henry caught up with her. "Ms. Windsor, could I possibly take you to dinner?"

Sophia instinctively wanted to refuse.

Henry sensed her intention and quickly spoke first. "Or maybe you could take me to dinner. After all, last time at the bar, you threw up all over me and ruined a brand-new jacket."

With that statement, Sophia had no reason left to refuse.

"All right. Consider it my apology to Mr. Smith."

They chose a newly opened private restaurant that supposedly had an excellent reputation.

Since they didn't have a reservation, they found a window seat on the first floor.

Henry's appearance and demeanor leaned toward the stern side, but when he chatted, he was witty and humorous. Before long, he and Sophia were getting along wonderfully.

After the meal ended, they exchanged contact information. Henry even drove Sophia to her apartment complex.

Since Margaret's "death," Sophia had barely had any normal social interaction, let alone contact with men.

She had no romantic feelings for Henry. She just felt the experience had been very pleasant—like a preview of a brand-new life beginning.

However, that cheerful mood came to an abrupt halt when she saw Robert at the entrance to her complex.

In that moment, Sophia even had the impulse to turn and run.

He stood there with a dark expression, looking terrifying.

Sophia forced herself to calm down and slowly walked up to Robert, asking in a businesslike tone, "Mr. Howard, what can I do for you?"

Robert gestured toward the door with his chin, his tone calm but suppressing fury. "Aren't you going to invite me in?"

Sophia reluctantly opened the door. The first thing she saw was the pregnancy test report on the coffee table—she'd looked at it before and carelessly left it there, forgetting to put it away.

In that instant, all the blood in Sophia's body turned cold.

In such a conspicuous spot, Robert would definitely see it.

What would he do to her after he found out?

Sophia didn't know. She didn't dare think about it.

Just as she stood there lost and helpless, Robert opened his arms and hugged her tightly from behind.

His large hand landed on her waist, kneading it with moderate pressure. His voice was thick with desire. "Sophia, you're getting bolder and bolder. You dare go on a date with another man behind my back?"

That one sentence deepened Sophia's fear.

How did he know about this?

Had he been monitoring her all along?

The realization made her shudder.

Robert took her earlobe into his mouth and pushed her toward the bedroom. "Looks like I haven't satisfied you lately, so you have the energy to go looking for fun outside."

Sophia was filled with humiliation. He always did this—made her sound so cheap.

In the past, she'd let it go. But now, she wouldn't anymore.

Sophia's struggle made Robert even angrier.

Without a word, he pressed her against the wall and kissed her lips roughly. "Sophia, you don't have the right to say no to me!"

Robert wouldn't admit that when he'd seen the photos in that anonymous email, he'd actually felt a twinge of jealousy.

So Sophia could smile so brightly and happily—only that smile wasn't for him.

That realization set his anger ablaze, so he'd come straight to her new address to confront her.

No matter what she said today, he was taking her.

Her clothes were violently torn open. Sophia completely panicked.

Robert had always been reckless. Almost every time, she'd passed out. A few times she'd even been injured and bled.

If they really had sex, the baby in her belly probably wouldn't survive.

"Robert, please don't do this. I really don't feel well today!"

The more she refused, the rougher Robert's movements became. His large hand had already reached between her legs.

"You'll feel good very soon." His voice was dripping with lust.

Sophia gritted her teeth and made up her mind. She used all her strength to shout, "I'm pregnant."