Three Years Wasted I Married Mr. Right novel Chapter 24

Chapter 24

“I can’t have children,” she stated, her voice flat. “I’m not going through that charade for you.” She shoved against his chest, but he simply enveloped her in his arms, leaving her trapped and unable to break free.

“We can adopt a kid, if you’d prefer not to have one of our own. Do you have a preference? A boy or a girl?” he asked.

A faint, mocking smile touched Sophia’s lips. “I’ve always preferred dogs, actually. Would you be adopting a dog instead?”

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He knew she was pushing his buttons-he was severely allergic-but Lucas didn’t rise to the bait. “Anything you want,” he said softly. “Your happiness is all that matters.”

She let out a sharp, humorless laugh. There he was, hurting her and then offering a small kindness, just enough to make her question if leaving was the right choice.

He was playing a game where he led her on, letting her pour her entire heart out for a scrap of his affection, only to coldly withdraw it when she was at her most vulnerable. It was the most calculated form of cruelty.

But now, Sophia felt nothing at all. She simply reminded herself that she only had twenty more days to endure.

A wave of bitter jealousy seized Emily, her body trembling as she watched the scene unfold. A horrifying possibility dawned on her-Lucas might be developing real feelings for Sophia.

The idea sent a fresh jolt of rage through her. ‘I won’t allow it. Lucas is meant to be mine, and I’ll fight to keep his attention from wandering,’ she silently vowed.

“Lucas, perhaps we should let Sophia get dressed before she catches a cold,” Emily cut in. She gathered the discarded clothes and held them out to Sophia, her expression the very picture of innocent sympathy.

Sophia knew from bitter experience that Emily’s sweet exterior was a complete lie.

She accepted the clothes and indifferently shrugged off Lucas’s jacket, letting it fall to the cold floor.

After putting on her own clothes, she stepped directly onto the jacket, leaving a dirty footprint behind before walking away without a second glance.

*****

Sophia’s resignation from the Marketing Department immediately put the HR manager on alert. Sensing the situation required Lucas’s attention, he personally delivered the letter to the CEO’s office.

The resignation letter reminded Lucas of the recent confrontation involving Sophia in the R&D Department.

He studied the HR manager’s face. “What if,” Lucas began, “Sophia turns out to be some kind of skincare research prodigy?”

Sophia had been away in Rosaville for market research, so she was completely unaware of what had happened in her absence.

During that period, Emily was doing anything but work in the office she’d taken from Sophia, spending her days playing games instead.

At lunch, she would meet Lucas upstairs, and the two didn’t bother to hide their flirtation in the staff cafeteria.

Things grew more brazen when they were caught kissing in the elevator, and Emily’s boldness suggested she had even less discreet intentions.

It was a classic case of a man chasing after a new flame while turning a blind eye to the heartache he left behind.

To be cheated on and then lose her job made Sophia’s situation all the more pitiable in the staff’s eyes.

A soft cough from the doorway made the group turn. Recognizing Emily, they quickly found reasons to be elsewhere.

Emily stepped forward like a victor surveying her territory. She looked Sophia up and down with open contempt as she scoffed, “How does it feel to be cast aside, Sophia? I imagine it must be quite painful.

“Three years of effort-trying to win over our family, to make Lucas love you-was all undone the moment I returned. Everything you took has found its way back to me. Do you know why that is?”