“I felt the baby move yesterday.”
“Really?” The old lady walked over excitedly. “It must be a little rascal!”
Sophia smiled without denying it. Traditional Medicine could predict a baby’s gender with great accuracy, and given her expertise, if she didn’t refute it, there was a high chance it was true. The old lady was quite traditional and felt that as long as she could see Livinus have a son, she and the old master would have no regrets even if they passed away.
The atmosphere in the Scott family had completely changed. Those who had once treated Sophia poorly were now nothing but respectful, serving her diligently. Sophia found it ironic. After the family split, Richard had moved out and was now hospitalized. Livinus hadn’t mentioned this to the old master, fearing it would upset him. As for Andrea, she had fallen ill and hadn’t moved out, but today, she hadn’t even come downstairs for dinner.
Sophia understood everything clearly but pretended not to know.
However, the old lady was dissatisfied. “Go call her down and tell her Sophia is here.”
Sophia thought she wouldn’t come, but to her surprise, Andrea still showed up. After not seeing her for a month, she looked completely different. Perhaps due to her illness, her complexion was pale, dark circles hung under her eyes, her cheeks were sunken, and she was in terrible condition.
She kept her head down, her expression gloomy, and didn’t greet anyone.
“Andrea, Sophia is here. You know her, don’t you? How come you didn’t even come down to say hello?”
Andrea froze, seething with hatred. She lifted her head and looked at Sophia. There was no difference from before—Sophia was still young and beautiful, her skin radiant, carrying an energy that Andrea could only envy.
In the past, Sophia had been her daughter-in-law, and Andrea had found her displeasing in every way. Eventually, she had succeeded in driving her out. But contrary to her expectations, Sophia did not end up miserable and destitute. Instead, she got together with Livinus and became the mistress of this house.
How ironic!
Andrea had schemed her entire life but never gained any real wealth. And yet, Sophia had effortlessly secured everything she had desired simply by being with Livinus.
Andrea sneered, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Of course, I should say hello. After all, you used to be my daughter-in-law. And now? You’ve climbed up to another man. I suppose I should call you my sister-in-law now.”
Sophia immediately picked up the conversation. “You can call me by my name, or you can call me sister-in-law. I don’t mind either way, Sister-in-law.”
Her smile stung Andrea’s eyes.
Andrea felt suffocated. She had already lost, but Sophia’s presence was a stark reminder of just how badly she had lost.
Not long after, Henry arrived with Kim. When Kim saw Livinus and Sophia, she was momentarily stunned before sitting across from them, her face expressionless. Henry also looked displeased—the tension between them was obvious, as if they had just argued.
“Henry, this is Sophia, your Uncle’s fiancée,” the old lady reminded.
Henry was momentarily dazed, gripping his chopsticks tightly. For some reason, when he heard the old lady’s words, his heart ached. Back when Sophia was with him, he never cherished her. But now that she was truly gone, he found himself reluctant to let her go. He couldn’t deny it—he didn’t want Sophia to marry Livinus. In fact, he didn’t want her to marry anyone.
But he knew he had no say in any of it. He didn’t even know if there was a way for him to turn back.
“Sister-in-law,” Henry finally said.
Sophia curled her lips and responded.
She suddenly found the old lady rather amusing. Back when she lived in the Scott family she hadn’t noticed, but now she realized the old lady was quite sharp. Her reminders for Andrea and Henry to address her properly might have seemed casual, but they forced them to acknowledge her new status. It was a warning—she was no longer someone they could treat as they pleased.
The meal was oppressively tense, making Sophia almost lose her appetite.
After dinner, Kim left without a backward glance, ignoring Andrea completely. Henry followed her, and Sophia noticed that Andrea’s expression darkened considerably.
Yet, given her deteriorating health, she probably didn’t have much time left. Even if she was dissatisfied with Kim, she could no longer drive her out as she had done in the past.
This house was no longer hers to control. No one cared about her thoughts, and no one spared a second thought for someone nearing death.
For the first time, Andrea felt completely abandoned by the world.
—
Feeling stifled, she went to the hospital.
Richard’s condition had worsened. The doctors recommended a kidney transplant, but there was no suitable donor available at the hospital. In such cases, doctors often suggest that family members provide a kidney to make the transplant possible.
Emily was the first to step forward.
“I’m really willing. As long as you stay with me and our child, I’m willing to give you my kidney.”
Richard was deeply moved. If he had once doubted Emily, he had no reason to now. He was dying, and yet she was still willing to donate her kidney to him. It proved that she wasn’t after his money—she truly loved him.
“Emily… You’re really willing?”
“Of course! As long as I’m a match, I will donate to you. And even if I’m not, my parents, my brother, and my younger brother are all willing to be tested. Uncle Scott, don’t give up. I won’t let you go just like that.”
Richard was overwhelmed with emotion. The woman he had spent his life with, Andrea, and his son, Henry, had not even mentioned donating their kidneys. Yet Emily had volunteered without hesitation. She had been taking care of him in the hospital all this time, handling even his most basic needs herself. She refused to hire a nurse, fearing they wouldn’t care for him properly.
