Replacement Bride Left With His Baby (Sophia and Easton) novel Chapter 15

**The Case of the Bleeding Shadows by Emma Blackwood**

Ever since Easton had exchanged vows with Sophia, the villa at Silvermoon Bay had remained an untouched relic of his past—save for that solitary night when everything had felt different. After the divorce, it became a place he could no longer bear to revisit, a haunting reminder of what once was.

Instead, he had made Windmere Estate his sanctuary, a place where he could bury himself in work and avoid the memories that lingered in every corner of the villa. On this particular evening, he returned home later than usual, the weight of the day pressing heavily on his shoulders. As he stepped through the grand entrance, Bernard, the ever-dedicated butler, was there to greet him, his expression a mix of concern and relief.

“Sir, you’re back so late,” Bernard remarked, his voice laced with genuine worry. “I thought you might have decided to crash at the office again.”

With a practiced efficiency, Bernard took Easton’s coat and briefcase, his movements fluid and familiar. Once inside, Easton gestured dismissively, instructing the staff to prepare a meal and deliver it to his study upstairs.

“There’s no need for all this fuss, Bernard. You should get some rest. I’ll finish up some work and head to bed soon,” Easton replied, his tone firm yet weary.

Bernard had been a steadfast presence in Easton’s life since childhood, and he had witnessed the transformation that had taken place since Easton assumed control of the Foster Group. The once vibrant young man had become a relentless workaholic, tirelessly dedicating himself to his career, his spirit seemingly drained. The warmth that had once defined him had vanished, replaced by an icy detachment that left Bernard feeling a pang of sadness.

He had always held onto the hope that marriage would finally bring Easton the happiness he so desperately sought. But that hope had been dashed when the union lasted barely a year.

The media buzzed incessantly about Easton and Stella, the glamorous news anchor who had captivated audiences. But deep down, Bernard understood that Stella was merely a fleeting distraction; she was never the one who held Easton’s heart.

Easton’s thoughts drifted to the rumors swirling around him. ‘If the whispers were true, Ms. Weston would have been welcomed into the Foster family long ago. I sincerely hope that, in time, the right woman will come along—one who can truly reach Mr. Foster’s heart and end this lonely existence he’s trapped in,’ he mused, a flicker of longing crossing his mind.

Easton had noticed Sophia the moment she arrived, her presence lighting up the room. He chose not to engage in Charles’ banter, simply taking a drag from his cigarette, his voice calm and measured. “She’s scheming,” he replied, the words hanging in the air like a dark cloud.

Charles rolled his eyes, incredulous. ‘You think Stella’s simple-minded? She had a child before she even got married, and during my time in Harlinton, I heard plenty of scandalous tales about her life abroad. I just didn’t care to know who she really was.’

As May mingled with several clients, Sophia felt like an outsider among the glittering crowd. Seeking solace, she quietly slipped away to the corridor by the back entrance, hoping to catch a breath of fresh air and gather her thoughts.

At that precise moment, Easton descended the stairs from his private room, and in a twist of fate, Sophia, lost in her own world, collided with him, her head down as she walked straight into his chest. The unexpected impact jolted both of them, a moment suspended in time where past and present collided.