Chapter 251
Chapter 251
Caught in the middle, Milo sensed the tension instantly. His bright eyes darted sideways, and he sprang into action.
He turned and shot Gerald a frantic look.
Come on, Daddy! Take it out!
Gerald caught Milo's signal and drew a silent breath.
He pulled the cold velvet box from his pocket.
"Mommy!"
The moment Gerald moved, Milo spun back to Sophia, grabbing her hand.
"Daddy went out and bought you a necklace today! He picked it out himself!"
Gerald's hand tightened around the jewelry box.
The kid had picked it himself—and was now pinning the whole thing on his father.
He opened the box and held it out to Sophia.
Sophia glanced at the obviously expensive necklace. She felt nothing.
Four years ago, on her birthday, she couldn't even get a text from him.
Now he showed up at her door with diamonds.
Love that arrives too late is worthless.
"No thank you, Mr. Churchill."
She didn't even reach for it. "Something this expensive—I can't accept it. Give it to someone who needs it."
"Mommy..."
Milo's eyes swung back to Gerald, blazing with silent command: Daddy! Put it on her! Be proactive!
Gerald had never in his life taken orders from a four-year-old.
But faced with those pleading eyes, he obeyed.
He ignored Sophia's refusal, stepped forward, and reached to clasp the necklace around her neck.
"Gerald! What are you doing? Let go!"
Sophia's face changed. She instinctively turned her head to dodge his touch.
"Mommy—!"
Milo's sudden cry cut through the air.
His lower lip pushed out, trembling. Crystal tears pooled in his eyes.
"Mommy, please don't fight. Me and Daddy spent forever picking this out. Don't you like it? Is it because... because you still hate Daddy, so you don't like what Milo chose either?"
Those teetering tears wrenched something deep inside Sophia's chest.
She forced herself to stroke Milo's cheek, her voice gentle despite every instinct screaming otherwise. "No, baby... Mommy doesn't dislike it. Mommy... Mommy loves it."
"Really?"
Milo sniffled, gazing up at her pitifully. "Then if you love it, will you let Daddy put it on? Milo wants to see Mommy wear it."
Against that burning hope, Sophia's defenses crumbled completely.
She could only grit her teeth, squeeze her eyes shut, and force herself to stop resisting.
Gerald watched her martyr-like expression and couldn't help the smirk that tugged at his lips.
He leaned in. His long fingers grazed the warm, delicate skin at the nape of her neck.
That single brush of contact sent an imperceptible tremor through them both.
The cold diamonds settled against her collarbone. Sophia's lashes fluttered, and she jerked back a step.
"Wow! Mommy looks so pretty! Like a princess!"
Milo clapped his hands and cheered the instant the necklace was fastened.
Then he released Sophia's hand, marched up to Gerald, and pointed a stern finger.
"Daddy! I helped you give Mommy the necklace. Now you have to work hard! You hear me? Be good to her and marry her again—soon! If you lose Mommy again, Milo will never talk to you for the rest of his life!"
His tone was pure authority—a tiny general issuing non-negotiable orders.
Gerald looked down at his son. The rigid line of his mouth finally softened.
He nodded, voice low. "Okay. Daddy promises. I'll do my best."
Sophia stood there, listening to their exchange, her expression darkening completely.
Gerald, what makes you think four years of damage can be erased with a child and a necklace?
You want to remarry—so I'm just supposed to comply?
"Gerald, you—"
Before she could finish, Gerald moved—as if he'd anticipated her reaction entirely.
He stepped forward. At an angle Milo couldn't see, his hand locked around her wrist.
He dipped his head, his voice pitched for her ears alone:
"Sophia, don't upset Milo. You just promised me you'd put him first."
Sophia pressed her lips together. The harsh words on the tip of her tongue died in her throat.
She wrenched her wrist free of his grip. Silence was her only option.
The necklace was on. The performance was over.
Sophia turned, bent down, and scooped Milo into her arms. She issued her eviction notice once more:
"Mr. Churchill, the necklace is on, the words have been said. Now please leave. I need to take care of my son."
Gerald didn't push it. He nodded and stepped back.
"Alright."
He looked at Milo. "Milo, be good at Mommy's house. Daddy will pick you up tomorrow."
He reached out and ruffled the boy's hair.
"Got it, Daddy! Now go work hard and make money so you can marry Mommy!"
Milo waved his little hand in dismissal.
Gerald gave Sophia one last look, then turned and stepped over the threshold.
The security door closed heavily behind him.
The moment he was gone, the suffocating pressure in the air seemed to dissolve.
Sophia stood in the entryway holding Milo, listening to the footsteps fade down the corridor, and slowly released a long breath.
She lifted her hand. Her fingertips found the diamond necklace resting against her collarbone. Something mocking flickered in her eyes.
Gerald, no matter what games you play, no matter how you use our child—there is no going back for us.
With that thought, she carried Milo into the living room.
Meeting those dark eyes overflowing with happiness, she smiled and settled him securely in her arms.
All evening, Milo clung to her fiercely—stories, building blocks, his small fingers never releasing the hem of her shirt. As if the moment he blinked, this dream of a mother would vanish again.
---
The next morning, Sophia dressed Milo in his little school uniform.
Walking him downstairs, he bounced the entire way, flushed cheeks tilted up, arms swinging with excitement.
"Mommy, will you pick me up from school today?"
Before getting into the car, Milo stared at her without blinking.
A pang shot through Sophia's heart. She ruffled his hair with a twinge of guilt.
"Be good, sweetheart. Mommy has to work today. Daddy will pick you up after school, and the second Mommy's done, I'll come be with you. Okay?"