Chapter 2
Sophie ran away for the third time because Grandpa William was in poor health and wanted to see the baby scan photos of our second child before he passed away.
I knew Grandpa William was just worried that after he was gone, no one would take care of me.
He was hoping a second child would fix things between Andrew and me.
But what he didn't know was that Andrew only had eyes for Sophie.
When Andrew came home that day, he looked at me with that heavy stare.
I was scared he'd say I was the one who snitched, so I snatched up my pillow and got out of bed in a hurry.
"When the time comes, we can just make up a fake scan. Relax, I won't mess things up between you and Sophie," I said.
"I'll be staying in Charlie's room from now on," I added.
Andrew looked pissed, his face flushing with anger. "We're husband and wife. Why are you avoiding me?"
I figured he was just testing me.
Before I left, I grabbed one of those ultra-thin condoms from his bag and slipped it into my palm.
"If you and Sophie have a baby, that's fine too. Grandpa just wants to see the 4D ultrasound of your second child—it doesn't even have to be ours," I said.
"It was just a dare. They stuffed it in my bag" Andrew started to explain, then let out a bitter laugh.
"Forget it. What's the point of explaining anything to you?" he said.
"Grace, is there really nothing I can do to make you forgive me?" he asked.
I nodded. "It's better if you talk to Sophie and clear things up, so she doesn't get the wrong idea."
"Last time, Sophie thought we slept together, so she stormed into the house and trashed all of Charlie's toys. Charlie was terrified," I said.
I paused.
"I'm not saying Sophie did anything wrong. I just think it's better for everyone if things are out in the open," I added.
"Why didn't you say this sooner?" Andrew asked.
Andrew pulled out his phone and started dialing.
I took the chance to slip out.
I just wanted to see Charlie grow up happy.
That's it. Nothing more, nothing less.
But in the end, Sophie still found out, and in a fit of rage, she ran away for the third time.
Everyone was sure I was the one who ratted her out.
After all, in their eyes, I already had two strikes against me.
I was setting up Charlie's study when Andrew barged in and started smashing everything in sight.
He was panting, his gaze a mess of anger and confusion as he stared at me.
"Sophie's missing. Are you happy now?" he snapped.
"I was trying so hard to love you. If you had just given me a little more time... why do you have to be so vicious?" Andrew said.
He didn't even let me get a word in—just stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
He barked at the bodyguards to go find Sophie.
He headed straight for the school.
That was the place where he and Sophie first started dating—and where she ran away from home for the very first time.
If Andrew had paid me any attention at all, he would've seen the angry red slap marks on my face.
My parents stormed in the moment they heard Sophie had run away, and slapped me thirty times without mercy.
"Does it hurt?" my mom asked, her voice cold and mocking.
"But Sophie's heart hurts a hundred times more than yours!" my dad shouted.
"Remember this pain. Don't ever disgrace yourself like this again," my mom said.
Charlie was clutching an ice pack, standing by the door with a hurt expression. "Mommy, let's go," he said in a small voice.
I scrambled to set up Charlie's study, hoping he wouldn't have to see the bruises on my face.
Otherwise, he'd break down crying.
But Charlie still saw them. Huge tears rolled down his cheeks and landed on my shoulder—each one felt like a needle in my heart.
I choked out, "Okay."