Chapter 14 You Want My Son to Call Someone Else Dad
Sophia was floored by what he was saying.
Talking about child custody, what was he even talking about?
Just as she was about to respond, William's cold voice cut through the air, like she had committed some unforgivable sin.
"Sophia, do you want my son calling some other guy 'dad'?"
Before she could get a word in, he had already made up his mind. "Don't even think about it!"
Sophia felt a wave of confusion. "What?"
"I never planned on them calling anyone else 'dad.' We're divorced, sure, but you're still their father. That won't change."
William leaned in, challenging her. "What if I said the only way you could get custody of the kids is if you divorced your current husband? Could you do that?"
Sunlight streamed through the window, lighting up Sophia's clear, radiant skin. Her calm, beautiful eyes suddenly sparked with life. "Are you serious?"
She jumped up from the couch, took a couple of steps forward, and locked eyes with him, urgently asking, "If I get a divorce, you'll give me custody of the kids?"
William leaned back, nonchalant. "I just said if."
Sophia didn't hesitate. "No need for hypotheticals! I can consider it!"
For the first time since their reunion, she studied him closely, searching for any hint of emotion on his face.
She needed to know if he was serious or just messing with her.
At that moment, she could almost see a happy future with the kids.
James had already warmed up to her.
As for Michael... he could be taught.
She would give them the best education, a wonderful childhood, and limitless opportunities.
Absolutely, positively, it wouldn't be worse than what William could offer!
The joy in Sophia's eyes sparkled like a thousand stars, captivating William's gaze.
His eyes were a mix of emotions, reflecting his feelings towards her and her current husband.
"I was just talking off the top of my head. You don't need to consider it; I haven't agreed to give you custody."
Seeing the smile fade from Sophia's face, William felt a strange sense of satisfaction.
"They're my sons. I'll give them the best of everything. They'll be happier with me than with anyone else."
Sophia thought of James's tears. "But just now, you made James suffer because of Alice."
William looked confused. "Stop dragging Alice into everything between us."
"Whether it's Alice or someone else, James pushed an elder without reason. The fact is, he was wrong. Being young doesn't excuse bad behavior."
"They're my sons. If they're wrong, I'll handle it."
Sophia took a step back, accidentally bumping her calf against the coffee table and falling backward. William instinctively reached out.
She avoided his hand and quickly steadied herself.
Sophia spoke plainly, "Alice tried to pinch Emily, and James pushed Alice to protect Emily."
William was taken aback. "I didn't think Alice would lay a hand on a toddler."
Every word felt like a dagger. Sophia frowned, staring at William.
Throughout their five-year marriage, he never trusted her, but he trusted Alice... Reflecting on it, Sophia said firmly, "Then we'll see each other in court."
Every conversation ended in a fight. They couldn't find common ground.
She was determined to fight for custody of her kids at all costs.
James and Michael were the children she carried for ten months, enduring morning sickness, leg cramps at night, and finally giving birth after a near-death experience.
She had let her anger affect the kids before, but now she was confident she could raise them well. She wasn't going to give them up.
Even if she lost, she wanted the kids to know she fought for them and didn't abandon them.
She loved them more than anyone else.
William stood up abruptly, also annoyed. "Suit yourself."
He went to the bedroom, picked up James and Michael, one in each arm, and was about to leave when he felt someone clutching his right leg.
William looked down and met Emily's tearful eyes.
Emily clung tightly to his leg, her tears falling one after another, soaking his pant leg.
"Don't be mean to James."
Emily reached out a hand to grab James's. "James is good."
An indescribable feeling welled up inside William as he saw Emily's tears.
Emily was Sophia's biological daughter.
There was no doubt about that.
He put the two boys down, crouched, and gently wiped her tears with his thumb. "Don't cry. I won't be mean to James."
Emily took out a piece of candy from her little candy pouch, the one she had wanted to give him during a video call.
"This is for you, to make James happy."
William had never liked sweets, but now, he inexplicably opened his mouth. The pineapple-flavored candy melted in his mouth, filling him with a sweet confusion.
Seeing him eat the candy, Emily's eyes lit up with a smile.
She pulled James over to William, looking at him expectantly.
Go ahead and make James happy.
William inexplicably understood Emily's meaning, sighed, and said to James, "I'm sorry. My tone was wrong earlier. It was the first time I saw you being impolite, and there were reasons behind it. I apologize."
James was a bit taken aback. "It's okay."
William patted James's head. "I'll speak to you properly from now on. Will you forgive me, James?"
James nodded, the gloom in his eyes disappearing. Now, he wanted to give all his toys to Emily.
She could mediate between him and William and even make William eat sweets!
Emily was the best sister in the world!
William picked her up. Though she looked chubby, she was light, soft, and fragrant, making it hard to put her down.
Handing her to Sophia, who had just walked in, William said, "You have a wonderful daughter."
Sophia responded, "I don't need you to tell me. I know my daughter is great."