Replacement Bride Left With His Baby (Sophia and Easton) novel Chapter 29

**The Case of the Bleeding Shadows by Emma Blackwood**
**Chapter 29**

“I know you never truly believed Sophia was worthy of being Mrs. Foster. You always viewed her as merely a trophy wife, didn’t you? Well, let me tell you, you couldn’t be more mistaken.”

Irene’s disappointment was palpable as she shook her head, her gaze piercing through Easton. It pained her to witness his inability to recognize the extraordinary woman he had married, a woman who had consistently been misunderstood and undervalued.

The year Easton took Sophia as his bride was pivotal for the Foster Group. Despite the backing of the influential Roth family, their support was insufficient to rescue the company from the depths of its troubles.

Irene pressed on, her voice steady yet filled with emotion. “Sophia remained at home, quietly enduring the silence and solitude, never causing a stir, just so you could travel abroad and manage the business without a single worry.”

“Even when the whispers in Jenston grew louder, suggesting that you had abandoned her right after the wedding, she played the role of the perfect Mrs. Foster, ensuring that our family name remained untarnished.”

“If she had ever dared to reveal even a hint of her sorrow, whether at the Roth residence or in front of the media, the Foster Group’s reputation would have crumbled. Stocks could have plummeted, and the fallout would have been catastrophic.”

“She bore an entire year of isolation and scorn. Do you honestly think she endured all of that just to make way for Stella?”

“If Sophia had no love for you, why would she swallow such immense pain and remain silent?”

“Honestly, Easton, I don’t care who you choose to love or marry. If you find happiness, that’s all that matters to me. But you must ask yourself—if Stella were in Sophia’s position, could she stand by your side without ever being a burden?”

The thought struck Easton like a bolt of lightning. *No. Never.*

He had never taken the time to look at the situation closely—never even considered that Sophia might have harbored feelings for him back then.

*But how could that be?* he pondered, the notion feeling almost ludicrous.

They had both navigated the same elite circles, their lives intertwined since childhood, yet their encounters had been scarce and superficial.

Ever since she had played the child card to lure him out for dinner—and had strategically leaked their location to the paparazzi to create a media frenzy—Easton had shut down every invitation she extended.

With each passing day, Stella felt her anxiety mounting. Easton’s demeanor towards her had always been tepid at best. Sure, they shared a history, a bond from childhood, and he was kind to the child, but that was where the connection ended.

Now that Sophia was back, it felt as if Easton was crossing paths with her more frequently. A nagging sensation gnawed at Stella, making her fear that their old chemistry might spark back to life.

Alone in a private booth at Mesmer Bar, Stella drowned her worries in drink after drink, the alcohol coursing through her veins like fire.

Minnie Hayes, her best friend, sighed in exasperation, “So, what’s your plan now?”

With a fierce determination, Stella slammed her glass onto the table, the sound echoing in the dimly lit space. The alcohol ignited a dangerous glint in her eyes. “I’m going to wipe Sophia and Crestview Group off the map of Jenston.”