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 was immediate. “Alice.” His response 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 and four-year-old twin sons—none of it seemed to matter. She had never once seen William show her the warmth and affection he had so openly displayed toward another woman that day. That night, William returned home 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 turned 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 muted the doorbell notification on her phone, only to hear frantic knocking a moment later.

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 his name again, Sophia felt as though the world had shifted beneath her. A sudden clap of thunder jolted Emily awake.

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.

Hearing the child’s cries, the secretary tried a different approach. “Ma’am, you have a daughter—you know how dangerous a fever can be. Please, can you help us?” “We only need the medicine and won’t trouble you any further.”

A child—the one she had carried for ten months. Even though her two sons did not love her, this was still her child.

But the area was too remote, and the nearest hospital was two hours away through the mountains. Ten minutes later, there was another knock at the door.

Secretary Tony Brown froze when he met Sophia’s icy gaze. “Mrs. Smith?”

Sophia stood in the doorway and handed him 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 was sharp and cold as he stared out the window, an unmistakable air of authority about him. He held his feverish son, Michael, in his arms.He stared intently at Sophia through the curtain of rain, his eyes dark and unreadable. The downpour was so heavy that even with an umbrella, he was quickly soaked.Sophia’s clothes were still damp and speckled with rain. Just as she turned to leave, Tony called after her, “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 stepped out of the car when he heard her response. His expression darkened, and the air around him seemed to turn icy. From behind him, someone hurried forward. William’s voice was icy. “Sophia!”

Her steps faltered, but she neither turned around nor responded. She went back inside and closed the door behind her. her movements swift and decisive. William watched her retreating figure, a mirror image of two years ago.

Tony glanced at the torrential rain and said, “Mr. Smith, it’s too dangerous to continue driving. I’ll see if anyone in the village can offer us a place to stay for the night.”

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 pressed a hand to her racing heart, feeling momentarily frozen in place. Over the past two years, she hadn’t gone a single 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 into the bathroom and stared at herself in the mirror. The five years she had tried so hard to forget came rushing back, leaving her body trembling.

Worried about her sons, Sophia couldn’t sleep. She stood behind the curtains, watching the car parked outside.

“Mrs. Smith! Michael’s fever is making him 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 quietly surveyed his surroundings. Children’s items and toys were scattered everywhere, and his expression grew colder as a chill crept over him.

He recalled the villagers mentioning that Sophia had a daughter and couldn’t help but scoff. Everyone was drenched from the rain, but the house was warmed by underfloor heating. This allowed them to warm up quickly. While Sophia was treating Michael’s fever, she felt a piercing gaze fixed on her. After finishing, she gave a few instructions before heading 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 a restless night, and William barely slept. For the past two years, he had taken on both parental roles, getting through each day as best he could.

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.

When the housekeeper saw Tony sleeping on the couch while she was preparing breakfast, she made a few extra portions. The fever medicine Sophia had given the children 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 who is that little girl? And Mommy didn’t want us before—she’s a bad woman!”

Emily was sitting in her high chair. She drank her milk while curiously observing the unfamiliar faces at the table. After finishing, she handed the bottle to William, who was standing nearby. Though only one year old, she seemed unusually perceptive. Emily could only say a few words but made herself understood, "Put."

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

Their hands brushed over the bottle and Sophia quickly pulled hers away. Thinking they were playing with her, Emily grabbed William’s finger and wrapped her tiny hand around 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."