Thaddeus was preparing to head out to meet an old friend when he saw his daughter pushing her husband around in his wheelchair. A grimace instantly formed on his face at the sight of Marcus, whom he could never seem to warm up to.
After noticing her fatherâs silent disapproval, Sophia attempted to ease the tension. âDad, Marcus and I were thinking of taking Tristan out for a stroll. Would you like to join us?â
Thaddeus grunted in response. âDoesnât look like youâre exactly thrilled to have me along.â
Sophia quickly reassured him. âNot at all! If you feel like getting out of the house, weâd love to have you.â
Thaddeus waved her off dismissively. âThereâs no need for me to tag along and be a third-wheel.â
With that, Thaddeus turned his back and walked towards the elevator as his entourage of bodyguards trailed behind him.
Sophia watched him go as a slow and sad sigh escaped her lips. Her relationship with her father had been growing increasingly strained. Sophia couldnât help but wonder when her father would finally hand over the family property and business to her.
Not wanting to escalate things and further strain their relationship, Sophia deliberately slowed her pace as she pushed Marcus towards the elevator. They would deal with the next one.
Along the way, Marcus broke the silence. âWhatâs going on with you and your father?â
Snapping back to reality, Sophia tried to brush it off casually. âNothing, Marcus. Donât overthink it.â
Marcus squinted his eyes. âI remember your father always doting on you. But lately, he seems different.
Did something happen?â
Even Marcus noticed the change in her fatherâs attitude towards her. This made Sophia even more anxious about her inheritance.
She suspected that Bertha and her daughter must have provoked her father against her. Those two were nothing short of no-good troublemakers.
âMarcus, nothing happened. My fatherâs just upset about Bertha and Lea leaving. Heâs been a bit harsh lately.â
A ghost of a smile tugged at Marcusâs lips. âIs that so? I thought maybe my presence was causing a rift between you and your father.â
Sophia quickly denied it. âNo way, Marcus! My father fully supports us. Iâm serious!â
As they reached the elevator, the doors conveniently opened. Sophia wheeled Marcus in, with Tristan obediently following behind.
Once the elevator doors closed, the silence was deafening.
After a while, Marcus spoke up again. âIf your father firmly disagreed with our relationship and made you choose between your inheritance and me, what would you choose?â
Sophia was taken aback. She couldnât help but laugh nervously. âMarcus, what are you talking about?
My father would never do that to me. He adores me; you know that.â
âI meant, if.â
Sophia didnât want to entertain his hypothetical scenario. There wonât be an âif I wonât allow it.â
Marcus let out a soft chuckle. âSó, youâre saying it would be hard for you to choose between me and money.â
Sophia caught the insinuation in his tone. âMarcus, why are you bringing up this hypothetical situation?
Life isnât a multiple-choice question. Iâd choose you, but I wonât give up my inheritance either. Itâs my rightful claim. Plus, without money, how can I ensure a good life for you and Tristan?â