Sophia flourished and later surpassed, eventually being legitimized by Javier. She assumed the role that originally belonged to Jasperâs mother and became Javierâs remarried wife.
âJasper, donât be sad. Anne has passed away, and none of us feels good about it. From now on, I am your mother, and Betty is your real sister.â
âAlas, your mother was truly a good person, but unfortunately, she lacked some luck compared to me. I hope she is not tormented by illness on the other side. I believe she wouldnât blame me for taking her place, right? She was so kind. She surely wouldnât blame me.â
Jasper couldnât forget the sarcastic words Sophia had said to him at his motherâs funeral.
Although young, he still sensed the insincerity behind the womanâs friendly smile.
In the blink of an eye, it had been over 20 years since then.
Over the years, it felt as if everyone, including the entire Beckett family, had forgotten his mother-
everyone except him.
Tears welled up in Jasperâs eyes as he heard his motherâs name from Alyssaâs mouth. Inexplicably, he felt like crying.
âAnne⦠Anneâ¦â Jasperâs expression turned dazed as he murmured the name of the departed.
Anneâs gentle and picturesque face gradually emerged from the deep sea of memory.
A sudden, piercing pain struck the deepest and softest part of his heart.
Sophia was closest to Javier.
She heard him repeatedly uttering that long-lost name. The woman she once hated infuriated her, and she directed that anger straight at Alyssa.
âAnne⦠Anne had a questionable status, merely Javierâs past paramour! Even after joining the family, she served as a maid for the Beckett family. What gives her the right to be called the lady of the house?
The rightful mistress of the Beckett family is me! She doesnât match up to me!â
âSophia! Thatâs enough!â
Javier, as if awakened from emotional numbness, angrily roared at Sophia. He completely forgot that there were others present.
âAnne was not a paramour! She was not a maid! And sheâs no longer here. You have no right to speak ill of âWhy donât I have the right?â
Sophiaâs eyes widened in anger. âIs what Iâm saying not true? She was only a paramour who couldnât enter polite society!â
Before she could finish speaking, a sudden overwhelming chill enveloped her, as if a shadow had engulfed her, akin to standing on the edge of a vast abyss!
Sophia was stunned. She looked up and saw Jasper standing right in front of her.
âYouâ¦â
A sharp sound suddenly reverberated in the hall.
Everyone was shocked, including Alyssa, all staring with mouths agape.
Jasperâs eyes darkened, and his thin lips tightly pursed. He then raised his hand and fiercely slapped Sophia. 1 Sophiaâs cheek turned red and swollen, with traces of blood at the corner of her lips. The impact made her eardrums buzz, and stars flashed before her eyes.
She staggered back, clutching the sofaâs back. She barely avoided falling to the ground in a disheveled state.
âJasper â¦â Alyssaâs pupils involuntarily constricted. She couldnât help but squeeze her palms in anxiety for Jasper.