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surprise and apprehension through me. What the heck is he doing here? We had already discussed everything

“Hi, Sophia,” he greeted me with a smile, sounding very pleasant and a lot different than the last time I saw him. “How was your day?”

I couldn’t just pretend everything was fine. “What are you doing here, Elijah?” I asked in exasperation, not bothering with any pleasantries. “Just get to the point.

He moved closer toward me, but I stepped back, finding myself leaning against my front door while he towered over me.

“I just.” he began, his eyes looking desperate. On th urface, though, he appeared confident. “Please… Just tell me the truth. Whose baby is it that you’re carrying?”

I was confused by the way he carried himself, and the tone of voice he was using. He was sending mixed signals. What is he thinking? Maybe he feels it in his gut, that he’s the father. He’s smart, after all. He’ll figure it out easily no matter what Serena

told him.

But upon meeting his gaze, I could sense the unease emanating from him. He was rattled, uncertain, distressed. And that was why he showed up here today. All this time, I was hoping they would have left Paris already.

I frowned, not knowing how to answer him. So I simply said, “I figured Serena would have told you.”

The keys to my front door were in my hand, but I didn’t want to open the door and let him in again. I wanted him to go already. I wanted to get back to my new peaceful and happy life.

“Sophia, I need to hear it from you,” he said earnestly. “You’re the only one I can trust with the truth. I won’t believe anyone else’s words except yours.”

I wanted to laugh sarcastically. Are you damn crazy? I wanted to scream at his face. When we were married, you hardly paid attention to me! You never listened to me! And now you’re telling me that you’ll listen to and believe?!

Taking a deep breath, I remained quiet while I tried to calm down. I bit

my lower lip, holding back on what I really wanted to say to him. What the hell are you up to, Elijah?! Just leave me alone..

“Sophia…” he whispered, taking another step forward and lightly touching my arm. I recoiled, pulling away. I looked down at my feet, wanting to avoid his eyes. He’d always been good at being able to tell whether I was lying or not.

2/3

CHAPTER 15

©) +25 BONUS

“Sophia, you haven’t answered my question. And that only means one thing, which I’ve felt in my heart from the moment I heard you were pregnant…”

He used a finger to lift my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze. “Sophia, I know that this baby is really mine. It is, isn’t it?”

My heart was pounding wildly. I refused to answer.

“Let’s give our marriage a second chance,” he went on slowly, taking my hand in his.” Maybe… this is a sign that we should try again. I’m willing to take care of you and our baby. Our child, Sophia! Together we can raise this baby, provide a good home, be at happy family…”

Wide–eyed with disbelief, I pulled my hand away. “We’re divorced, Elijah! It’s over!”

I could see the frustration building up inside him. His calm, gentle demeanor was getting stripped away. “No,” he said firmly. “Connor didn’t file the papers like you. requested, because I took them from him. So we are not legally divorced yet. Your and I are still married…”

I gasped, not knowing what to say.

1. me. Only I can take care of both of you. Even a man like Daniel wouldn’t marry a woman carrying another man’s child!”

He went on bitterly. “You belong to me, Sophia. That baby Ox

The fury in my chest exploded. Unable to hold back my anger, I slapped him hard across the face.