9
Just then, Ethan and Olivia ran over.
“Daddy, Mom was the one who drugged you that day!”
Yeah! She said you wouldn’t have a baby with her, so she spiked your coffee.”
Sophia gasped, pretending to understand.
‘Oh, I get it! Ms. Thompson wants me humiliated while she’s with you. What a total psycho bitch!”
Tears rolled down her cheeks. “Ben… when you asked just now, it hit me. That night at the club… I almost got assaulted. I was frozen with fear.”
Benjamin’s doubts vanished.
But a strange emptiness gnawed at him.
Before we married, he’d researched me, discovering I was his junior from elementary school-and apparently, I’d had a crush on him for years.
Living together, he always thought I was innocent, pure. He even felt guilty for sweet-talking me into carrying another woman’s child.
Turns out, he’d been wrong. I was the type to stop at nothing for love.
Oddly, Benjamin didn’t just feel disappointment; there was a sharp ache in his chest.
Even if I messed up a million times, he still wouldn’t let go.
He needed to be clear if Sophia was misunderstanding things.
“Sophia, that was an accident. I can make it up to you in other ways. But I’m married. We can only be friends.”
“No, that’s not it!” Sophia shouted, voice rising. “The Miller family is struggling. Miller Corp can barely survive, and they won’t meddle in our business. And you? You’re the head of the Carter family. Want to marry? Nobody’s stopping you.”
Ethan and Olivia jumped in, pleading.
“Yeah, Dad! Can Aunt Sophia be our new mom?”
“Yeah! Mom’s already dead. We need a new mom!”
This time, their words had no effect. Benjamin stayed unmoved, though a flicker of pain crossed his brow.
He scoffed, a wry twist to his lips. “She’s not dead.”
He thought that I’d orchestrated everything. So, I’d be perfectly fine.
Benjamin told Sophia firmly, “Keep this up, and we won’t even be friends. You’ve had a rough day too. Get some rest.”
He pulled Ethan and Olivia out, closed the door, and left.
Sophia’s expression darkened slowly.
Her worries were right-Benjamin had completely fallen for the stand-in.
That night at the club? He’d just been drugged. Because when things got intense, he’d been calling out Ella’s name.
Her nails dug into her palms, a twisted smile forming.
So what if he fell in love? Benjamin thinks the kidnappers and Ella were in cahoots-but he had no idea she was the real mastermind.
By now, Ella was probably blown to bits. Not a trace left.
[How did it go?]
Sophia texted the kidnappers.
Then she set down her phone and opened the door to Ethan and Olivia.
Chocolate liqueurs in hand, she smiled.
Ethan, Olivia, such good kids. These are for you. Shhh, don’t tell Daddy. Our little secret.”
The kids cheered.
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“Mom rarely lets us have chocolate, and alcohol. Never! Dad always says to obey her. Aunt Sophia is the best!”
“Aunt Sophia, can we have more?”
Sophia hid her disgust. “Of course you can.”
Chocolate and alcohol, especially the latter, were a total no-no for five-year-olds. Perfect. The more they ate, the better. Turn them into little idiots.
That’s exactly what she wanted.
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy DaisyNovel. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.