She loved this man. From the first moment she laid eyes on him, she was deeply smitten.
So, even when his health was compromised, she didnât mind.
As long as he was by her side, she felt victorious and happy.
However, they should have a child together. A child would help rekindle their bond and create a tie between them.
So, before Theoâs health was fully recovered, she brought back the child she had previously abandoned, lying to him that the child was theirs.
The moment he saw the child, he didnât doubt her. He believed the child was his.
Because the resemblance was uncanny.
But the child never warmed up to her. No matter how kind she was or how much she loved him, he would never call her mommy.
Sophia at times lost her patience and wanted to discipline the ungrateful child, but fearing the man would find out, she always held back.
If she couldnât tolerate this, wouldnât all her efforts be in vain?
She would try to be good to the child, so the man would believe they were once a loving couple.
Then, once Theoâs health was restored, they could have their own baby. By then, without any manipulation on her part, the man would naturally prefer the newborn.
As for the older child, she could find an excuse to send him abroad for studies and discretely deal with him.
Now the biggest obstacle was the manâs health.
In fact, he was now fully convinced that they were husband and wife.
His refusal to let her help him bathe was merely due to his pride. He was unwilling to let his wife see his vulnerabilities.
In short, he would absolutely not have room in his heart for that woman, Ellinor. The psychological conditioning he had received over the years was thorough. He would never remember her.
Meanwhile.
At Cheesey Pizza House.
After a round in the play area, the three little ones were exhausted and each munched on a big slice of pizza.
Veronica, resting her cheek on her hand, watched her niece and nephews, finding them more and more adorable.
Suddenly, she noticed Ellinor, who was somewhat absent-minded, sitting next to her and waved a hand in front of her dazed eyes.
âSis, whatâs on your mind? We agreed to bring the kids out for fun, yet youâve been distracted all along.
Youâre not thinking about Bartlett, are you?â
Ellinor snapped back and looked at Veronica thoughtfully. âNo. I bumped into Sophia at the preschool gate earlier.â
Veronica was startled. âWhat?! You ran into her? Wasnât she in M State? When did she come back?â
âShe said she just got back.â
Veronica frowned in resentment. âI get angry just thinking about that woman! If not for her, my brother wouldnât have disappeared! Sheâs to blame!â
Ellinor squinted her eyes. âBack then, she was holding a child.â
A child? Veronica was taken aback. âShe has a child? Whoâs the father?â
A cloud of doubt crossed Ellinorâs face. âShe said sheâs married, and the child is hers and her husbandâs.â
Veronica seemed to share Ellinorâs suspicion. âWhoâs her husband? Whatâs his name? What does he look like? Did you see him?â
Ellinor shook her head. âNo. It was just her holding the child.â