Replacement Bride Left With His Baby (Sophia and Easton) novel Chapter 3

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

**Chapter 3: Going Abroad**

Sophia stood off to the side, her gaze fixed on Easton and Stella, who were so close together they seemed almost fused at the hip. The sight was almost comical, and for a fleeting moment, a laugh threatened to escape her lips. But then, a sharp pang of hurt twisted in her chest, stealing the laughter away. “Easton, you really do have a soft spot for her, huh?” she murmured under her breath, bitterness lacing her tone.

Stella, ever the cautious one, tugged lightly at Easton’s sleeve, her voice a mere whisper. “Easton, I think Mrs. Foster kind of misunderstands us. Maybe we should talk about this later?” Her eyes darted nervously between him and Sophia, as if sensing the tension crackling in the air.

Easton’s response was icy, a mask of indifference settling over his features. “It’s fine. Just ignore her. Let’s go inside.” His words were clipped, dismissive, leaving no room for argument.

Sophia watched their backs as they turned away, her heart sinking deeper into despair. The dull ache in her stomach flared up, an unwelcome reminder of her turmoil. She felt her complexion pale, the world around her dimming.

With a steely resolve, she pressed the elevator button, forcing herself to endure the discomfort gnawing at her insides. As she made her way back to her car, an instinctive hand drifted to her lower abdomen, and her heart dropped as she glanced down to see her white pants stained with vivid red blood.

Panic surged through her veins, and her hands trembled as she fumbled to dial Easton’s number. “Please, just pick up,” she thought, desperation clawing at her throat. But when his voice came through, it was as cold as ice. “Acting all tough a moment ago, huh? Now what drama are you trying to play? I’m busy. Deal with your own mess.”

The line went dead before she could utter a word, leaving her staring at the phone in disbelief. A mocking sneer curled her lips, a bitter smile that didn’t reach her eyes. ‘Easton, one day you’ll regret treating me like this. And I swear, I won’t forgive you—not in this lifetime,’ she thought, the weight of her anger settling heavily on her shoulders.

*****

After concluding her business with Easton in the stark, corporate confines of the CEO’s office at Foster Group, Stella stepped out, her mind racing with thoughts.

Inside, Easton was engrossed in the divorce agreement that Sophia had signed, his eyebrows knitting together in disbelief. ‘She’s actually willing to walk away without taking a single thing? The only condition is that I must extricate Crestview Group from its current predicament,’ he mused, feeling a mix of admiration and frustration.

But then, Sophia’s earlier words echoed in his mind, sharp and piercing. ‘Wait, could Stella really be behind this? Did she manipulate events to get Crestview Group investigated out of the blue?’

He shook his head, grappling with his thoughts. ‘But Stella has always been kind-hearted. When a car accident nearly robbed me of my sight, it was she who stood by my side at the care facility for six long months, encouraging me through the darkest of days. I once promised to marry her, but now guilt consumes me. All this chaos is due to the Roth family and Sophia.’

Just then, Gordon entered, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern. “Mr. Foster, is there anything you need me to handle?”

Easton took a slow drag from his cigarette, the smoke curling around him like a shroud. He tapped the ash into the tray, his voice steady. “Gather everything you have on Crestview Group. Assemble the legal team in the conference room in half an hour.”

“Yes, sir,” Gordon replied, surprise flickering across his features as he exited the office. ‘Is Mr. Foster really going to tackle the Roth family’s issues on Mrs. Foster’s behalf?’ he pondered, his mind racing.

He recalled the two divorce agreements he had seen on Easton’s desk earlier. ‘Could they genuinely be splitting up over this entire Crestview Group debacle?’ Shock rippled through him as he considered the implications.

*****

When Sophia finally stirred awake, she found herself in a sterile hospital bed, the smell of antiseptic filling her nostrils. A doctor and a nurse stood watch, their faces a blend of professionalism and concern. The nurse smiled gently and assisted her into a sitting position. “Ms. Roth, you’re awake,” she said, her voice soothing.

Panic surged through Sophia as her hand instinctively flew to her belly. “Is my baby alright?” she gasped, her voice trembling with fear.

“Don’t worry. For now, the baby is stable,” the doctor assured her, his tone calm and reassuring. “I’ve prescribed a three-day course of injections to support your pregnancy. You’ll need to stay in the hospital under observation and keep your spirits high. That’s the best for both you and the baby.”

Relief washed over Sophia, and she nodded, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly.

May burst into the room moments later, her expression a mixture of relief and worry. “Sophia, you’re finally awake! When I got your call, I rushed over. Seeing you collapse like that nearly scared me to death.”

“Mrs. Foster, thank goodness you’re home. Mr. Foster just had his secretary drop off the divorce papers. Are you two really going through with this? Can’t you at least talk to him one last time?”

Sophia barely reacted, her heart steeling itself for what lay ahead. Three days had passed, and she knew it was time to confront the reality of her situation. She offered Grace a reassuring nod. “This really can’t be fixed anymore. Please, don’t say anything to Grandma Irene just yet. Her health isn’t great, and she’s been in the nursing home for so long. When the time comes, I’ll talk to her myself.”

Tears welled in Grace’s eyes, her heart heavy with empathy. From the moment she had been sent from Windmere Estate to Silvermoon Bay, she had grown fond of Sophia.

Sophia was not only gentle and graceful but breathtakingly beautiful—Grace had never encountered anyone as radiant as her. She had truly believed Easton would cherish Sophia, yet he had abandoned his new wife the very next morning, leaving her to endure ten long months in that vast, empty house. The worst part was that Sophia had silently weathered the cruel gossip and snide laughter from the wealthy socialites, never allowing anyone to witness her pain.

Sophia flipped to the last page of the divorce agreement, her eyes landing on Easton’s name, stark and cold at the bottom right.

The divorce certificate lay in a separate folder. As she prepared to place the papers together, she noticed a bank card tucked inside the folder. Without a second thought, she removed it and set it aside on the nightstand.

After packing her belongings, Sophia gently closed the master bedroom door behind her. Pausing at the stairs, she cast one last glance at the room that had been her “marital home” for an entire year. Each night had been spent in solitude, with no one by her side.

Turning away, she fought against the resolve she had built, but the tears she had held back for so long finally began to flow, cascading down her cheeks.

Easton had fully honored the terms of the divorce agreement. Crestview Group had successfully emerged from the crisis, and just like that, every lingering score between him and the Roth family was settled.

As she sat on the plane, her hands resting on her belly, a smile broke through her somber demeanor for the first time in ages. “Little one, Mommy’s taking you somewhere new. We’re going to start fresh. Aren’t you excited?”

Her gaze drifted out the window, watching the clouds float by like wisps of cotton candy. ‘Goodbye, Easton. From now on, it’s your life and mine—we’ll each forge our own paths,’ she thought, a sense of liberation washing over her.