Chapter 1 Reuniting with Ex-Husband on a Stormy Night

Sophia Johnson always believed that even if there wasn't love and sweetness between a husband and wife, they should at least respect each other.

So, for the past five years of her secret marriage to William Smith, she had diligently played the role of wife and mother.

"Congrats, you're pregnant."

Leaving the hospital, Sophia couldn't wait to share the good news with her husband William, but his phone was unreachable. She called his secretary and found out he had gone to pick up their twin sons.

Sophia decided to wait at home and even asked the kitchen to prepare a few extra dishes.

But as time passed, William and the boys still hadn't returned, and Sophia started to worry.

His phone was still off.

Just as she was about to grab her coat and head out to look for them, she received a video message.

In the video, William was at an upscale restaurant, wearing a tailored black suit. Sitting next to him were their twin sons, and across from them was a woman Sophia knew well.

Alice Rivera, William's dream girl.

A romantic candlelit dinner, the four of them looking so happy together. Michael cheerfully called Alice by name, and William's eyes sparkled with a smile. The video was even trending with the title "A Beautiful Family," and they did look genuinely happy.

In the video, Alice asked Michael, "Who's better, Alice or Mommy?"

Michael's response, "Alice," hit Sophia like a punch to the gut. She ran to the bathroom, unable to hold back her nausea.

Five years of a secret marriage, four-year-old twin sons, and she had never seen William show her the warmth and affection he displayed with another woman today.

That night, William returned with their sleepy sons.

The house was dark, and the untouched dinner sat on the table. He frowned and used the landline to call Sophia.

As soon as she answered, William's voice was urgent, "Sophia, do you even care about this family anymore?"

Sophia lay in a hospital bed, her lips pale. "William, let's get a divorce."

The call ended, followed by a permanent busy signal.

Two years later, in Rain Village.

A sudden rainstorm disrupted the peace.

Sophia had just put her daughter, Emily, to sleep when she heard a car pull up outside. The doorbell rang, and she frowned, moving to the window. A long black car was parked outside in the pouring rain, the downpour showing no signs of stopping. She couldn't see who was in the car.

Not wanting to deal with any unnecessary trouble, she turned off the bedside lamp and silently acknowledged the person downstairs.

Outside, the male secretary saw the light go out and looked at the car, helplessly continuing to press the doorbell.

Sophia lay back down and turned off the doorbell sound on her phone, only to hear frantic knocking soon after.

She had no choice but to open her phone and connect to the intercom.

Sophia: "If you don't leave, I'll call the cops."

The secretary quickly responded, "I'm sorry to disturb you so late, but the rain is too heavy to drive. Our boss's child has a fever, and the villagers said you have children's fever medicine. We're willing to pay a high price."

Sophia coldly refused.

Just as she was about to hang up, the secretary hurriedly added, "Ma'am, we're really not bad people. My boss is William Smith, the CEO of Empire City Peace Group. We'll pay whatever you ask!"

William?

Her ex-husband.

Hearing that name again, Sophia felt like she was in a different world.

A clap of thunder woke Emily.

The anxiety of the reunion and the bitterness of the past were swept away by her child's cries. She quickly put down her phone to comfort her.

The secretary, hearing the child's cries, played the sympathy card.

"Ma'am, you have a daughter. You know how dangerous a fever can be. Can you please help us? We just need the medicine and won't disturb you further."

A child, the child she carried for ten months, even though her two sons didn't love her.

But this place was too remote, and the nearest hospital was two hours away through the mountains.

Ten minutes later.

Secretary Tony Brown was stunned when he met Sophia's cold eyes. "Mrs. Smith?"

Sophia stood in the doorway, handing over a bottle of children's fever medicine.

"I'm not Mrs. Smith. Take the medicine and leave."

In the back seat of the black Maybach, William, dressed in a black suit, opened his eyes, his gaze sharp and cold as he looked out the window. He exuded an air of authority.

Holding his feverish son Michael, he stared intently at Sophia's figure through the rain, his eyes dark and unreadable.

The rain was too heavy, and despite the umbrella, Sophia's clothes were still splattered with water.

Just as she turned to leave, Tony called out again, "Mrs. Smith, don't you want to see James and Michael? They've missed you so much."

Sophia held back the pain in her heart and didn't look back. "No, there's no need."

William had just gotten out of the car and heard her response. His face darkened, and the air around him grew colder.

From behind, William's voice was filled with frost. "Sophia!"

Her steps faltered, but she didn't turn around or respond. She went back inside and closed the door, her movements swift and decisive.

William watched her retreating figure, a mirror image of two years ago.

Tony looked at the heavy rain and said, "Mr. Smith, it's too dangerous to keep driving. I'll see if anyone in the village is willing to let us stay."

On the second floor, Sophia watched from the window as William got back in the car and Tony hurried away with an umbrella.

She closed the door and clutched her racing heart, feeling momentarily paralyzed.

In the past two years, as a mother, she hadn't gone a day without missing her two sons. She had secretly checked on them.

But she couldn't forcibly take them from the Smith family, especially since they preferred "Alice."

She went to the bathroom and looked at herself in the mirror. The five years she tried to forget came rushing back, making her body tremble slightly.

Worried about her sons, Sophia didn't sleep. She stood behind the curtains, watching the car downstairs.

"Mrs. Smith! Michael's fever is causing him to vomit!"

Sophia's heart softened.

She let William and the others in and quickly administered emergency fever treatment to her younger son, Michael.

In the living room, William discreetly observed the environment. There were many children's items and toys, his eyes growing colder as a chill settled over him.

He remembered the villagers mentioning that Sophia had a daughter and couldn't help but scoff.

Everyone was soaked from the rain, but the house had underfloor heating, which helped them warm up quickly.

While Sophia treated Michael's fever, she felt a sharp gaze on her. After finishing, she gave a few instructions and went upstairs.

There was a guest room on the first floor with an en-suite bathroom. After cleaning up Michael's vomit, William found that James also had a low fever.

They spent the night in turmoil, and William barely slept.

For the past two years, he had been both father and mother, living day by day.

The next morning, Sophia woke up to Emily's kisses.

The little one didn't cry or fuss, lying obediently beside her.

Sophia changed Emily's diaper and dressed her in a light pink dress before carrying her downstairs.

The housekeeper preparing breakfast saw Tony sleeping on the couch and made extra portions.

The children's fever medicine Sophia gave worked well. By morning, James and Michael's fevers had subsided.

The boys sat quietly, watching Sophia and Emily with suspicion.

James whispered to Michael, "That woman looks like Mommy."

Michael pouted, "But what's with that little girl? And Mommy didn't want us before. She's a bad woman!"

Emily, sitting in her high chair, drank her milk while curiously observing the new faces at the table.

After finishing her milk, she handed the bottle to William, who was standing nearby.

A one-year-old, Emily could only say a few words but made herself understood.

Emily: "Put."

Sophia reached to take the bottle, but William had already extended his hand.

Their hands met over the bottle, and Sophia quickly pulled hers back.

Emily, thinking they were playing with her, grabbed William's finger and placed her small hand on his.

William's gaze shifted between Sophia and Emily, noting how Emily's lively eyes were just like her mother's.

Emily quickly lost interest and waved at Michael and James, who were watching her.

She sweetly called out, "Hey! Play."