Sophia glanced down at the child in her arms, his face hidden behind a Batman mask, with a warm glow of happiness in her eyes.
âIndeed, this is my son. Iâm married now, did you know? This is Tristan, my husband and Iâs child. Say hello to Ellinor, Tristan.â
However, the young boy, whose face was hidden behind the Batman mask, ignored his motherâs command to greet Ellinor. His attention was solely on the balloon in the old manâs hand.
Ellinorâs brows furrowed thoughtfully as she observed Sophia. âYouâre married now? To whom?â
Sophia responded with a cheerful laugh. âYou wouldnât know him. My husband is an average Joe and was raised abroad his whole life. Heâs never been here before. Youâve never met him, Ellinor.â
âIs that so?â Ellinor squinted her eyes as a thoughtful look appeared on her face.
After noticing Ellinorâs expression, Sophia broke into a laugh. âEllinor, youâre not thinking my husband is Theo, are you?â
Upon hearing Theoâs name from Sophiaâs lips, Ellinorâs heart tightened slightly, but her gaze was still scrutinizing.
Sophiaâs face held no guilt of oddity. There was even a hint of selfâdeprecating humor. âI wish I could have married Theo, but he didnât have feelings for me.
Despite my pleas, he insisted on annulling our marriage and returning to you.
It was a blow to me, but I gradually accepted it and moved on.
Luckily, I met my current husband, who loves me dearly. I feel truly blessed.â
Ellinor couldnât find any flaw in Sophiaâs act, yet a shadow of doubt lingered in her heart. She asked, âWhatâs your husbandâs last name?â
Sophia didnât shy away from the question. âMy husbandâs last name is Rogers. Ellinor, I know youâre suspicious, but youâre overthinking it.
I heard that thereâs still no trace of Theo after all these years. Itâs quite regrettable.â
âBut even if Theo isnât here, you now hold the title of Mrs. Blanchet. Isnât that what youâve always wanted?â
Sophia sounded pleasant, but everything she said was laced with sarcasm and irony Ellinor didnât care about Sophiaâs sarcasm. During these years, she never stopped suspecting that Sophia had something to do with Theoâs disappearance, but she never found any evidence.
Three years ago, she flew to M State to confront Sophia as soon as her twins were out of the incubator.
At that time, Sophia confidently claimed that after the annulment, she had sent Theo to the airport and never seen him again. She didnât know where he went.
And she even allowed them to search her fatherâs estate.
But they found no clue.
The only lead they found in M State was a surveillance video from the airport showing Theo being wheeled into the terminal by Collin. That was the last image of him before he vanished..
In the end, neither of them boarded the plane. They just⦠disappeared.
âBy the way, Ellinor, what brings you here?â Sophia asked with a smile.
Ellinor snapped back to reality and answered Sophiaâs question. âPicking up my children.â
Sophiaâs gaze flickered to Bartlett standing beside her. She asked with a hint of mischief. âBoth of you are picking up the kids? Your kids, orâ¦â
Bartlett was about to respond with a chuckle, but Ellinor beat him to it. âIâm here to pick up my kids.
Heâs just passing by.â
With a knowing smile, Sophia said, âSo Mr. Rex is just passing by. And here I thought you two were dating.â