Chapter 5
But the obstetrics ward was full of stories like this. The nurse had seen enough to know when to keep her mouth shut.
Sophie was afraid that if they stayed at the hospital any longer, the truth would eventually slip out. She said she wanted to go home.
Jeremiah agreed immediately.
On the way to the parking garage, Jeremiah's phone screen lit up.
Sophie said, "Looks like someone's trying to reach you."
Jeremiah silenced the phone. "Just work stuff. Nothing important. Let's get you home first."
As they drove, his phone rang.
The caller ID showed a string of numbers, not a saved contact name.
Jeremiah frowned and muttered, "These people are useless. Can't handle a single thing without calling me."
Sophie smiled slightly. "What if it's important? You should answer. I'll put it on speaker for you."
Jeremiah blocked her hand as she reached for his phone and said gently, "Don't worry about it, Sophie. It's nothing urgent. Just rest. I'll wake you when we get home."
Then he turned his phone completely off.
Once they were home, Jeremiah carried her bridal style into the bedroom. He laid her down gently on the bed and tucked the covers carefully around her.
He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. "Get some good rest, Sophie. I have to run to the office. I'll be back by the time you wake up, and we'll have dinner together tonight. Okay?"
She nodded.
He kissed her again. "Good girl."
After he left, Sophie waited for a while.
Once she saw his car pull away from the living room window, she sat down at the computer.
Jeremiah had never been particularly guarded around her, and the computer didn't even have a password. When she turned it on, his messaging app logged in automatically.
A familiar profile picture nearly seared her eyes.
It was a cartoon girl with cute pigtails. Alice's account.
And the nickname Jeremiah had saved for her was "Vixen."
Vixen: [Master, I need you...]
Attached was a photo.
Alice's cheeks were flushed, her eyes glazed over with lust, and she was licking her finger in a blatantly provocative pose.
Two minutes later, a voice message popped up.
Sophie recognized Jeremiah's voice instantly.
Jeremiah: [You're pregnant and you're still this horny?]
Vixen: [You're leaving next week to take Sophie on that cruise trip. That means I won't see you for at least half a month. Master, if you're gone, who's going to satisfy me?]
Jeremiah: [Fine. I'm on my way over right now. I'll give you an advance on your allowance. Sound good?]
Vixen: [Teehee, you'd better give me enough to last a full two weeks.]
Jeremiah: [Just you wait.]
Sophie exported their entire chat history and saved it to the cloud.
Every text, every photo, every voice message. She saved it all.
Once that was done, she pulled out her phone and booked an appointment at the courthouse for the next day to change her name.
Alice had said one thing right. Trash belonged with trash.
Sophie had her pride and her dignity. She had zero interest in a messy, drawn-out fight. What would that accomplish besides giving the gossip mill some cheap entertainment? It wouldn't do a damn thing for her.
Her plan was simple: cut her losses and move forward.
She opened the CityKey app and scheduled everything for the following day.
Jeremiah didn't come home that night.
Sophie wasn't surprised.
Two weeks' worth of sex was quite the chore. It would take him a while to finish up.
Sophie began methodically planning the rest of her life.
She set aside her clothes, shoes, and bags for a charity to pick up.
She threw her daily odds and ends in the trash.
Sophie had once seen a video online about a remote island in Southeast Melur. The scenery was stunning and the weather was perfect year round.
Because it was so far from the mainland and had no direct flights, requiring multiple transfers to reach, it had never become a major tourist destination.
She chose this island as her new home.
She even went to a shopping site and bought a bunch of bohemian clothes. Bright colors, flowing styles. They fit the island vibe perfectly.
And they were the complete opposite of the understated, conservative way she usually dressed.
Once she finished, Sophie sat on the edge of the bed and stared into space for a while.
She looked around the bedroom.
Every inch of this room was evidence of her love for Jeremiah.
Even the comforter they used was the same one from their wedding night.
She looked up and saw their wedding portrait hanging on the wall.
In the photo, she was wearing a pristine white gown, her eyes brimming with joy and love. Jeremiah had lifted her high into the air, his gaze filled with deep, watery affection.
Sophie let out a sardonic laugh, then grabbed the frame and hurled it to the floor, smashing it to pieces.
*****
The next morning at seven sharp, the charity organization's crew showed up.
Sophie handed over everything she had packed for them.
The staff member looked a bit overwhelmed. "Ma'am, are you moving out?"
She shook her head.
"Are you getting a divorce then?"
Sophie smiled. "Something like that."
Maybe because she had donated so much, the staff member felt genuinely grateful. "Ma'am, is there anything we can do for you in return?"