Replacement Bride Left With His Baby (Sophia and Easton) novel Chapter 57

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

**Chapter 57**

Finally free from the chaos, Sophia stepped outside, the cool air hitting her like a refreshing wave. She took a moment to breathe deeply before she turned her attention to the painting that Easton had just handed her. Her hands trembled slightly as she inspected it, her heart racing with anxiety.

“It’s okay… My mother’s painting is safe,” she assured him, her eyes sparkling with relief as she looked up at Easton. A smile broke through her earlier tension, illuminating her face. “Thank you, Easton.”

As Easton studied her, he couldn’t help but think that she had never looked more radiant, even with the smudges of dirt marring her cheeks. A warm flutter surged in his chest, causing his heart to skip a beat. In that moment, he felt an undeniable connection, one that stirred something deep within him.

“That was too close, Sophia,” he said, his voice gravelly, laced with concern. “If I had taken just a moment longer, I might not have made it to you in time.”

Sophia, still riding the high of her victory, was only partially aware of Easton’s words. Her thoughts danced around the painting, her mother’s legacy now safe in her grasp.

With a gentle shake of his head, Easton draped his jacket around her shoulders, the fabric warm and comforting. “Let’s get you home,” he murmured softly, his tone soothing.

He kept his arm around her as they made their way toward the parking lot, their footsteps echoing in the quiet aftermath of the chaos.

Just as they began to walk, Yves came rushing toward them, his face a mask of concern. “Mr. Foster and Ms. Roth, are you alright?” he asked, his voice tinged with urgency.

Sophia managed a weary but genuine smile, her relief palpable. “We’re fine, Mr. Duncan. I’ll be taking this painting with me. Please expect the payment in the gallery account by tomorrow.”

Yves returned her smile with warmth. “No problem at all. I’m just glad to see you both unharmed.”

Easton, however, remained focused, his brow furrowing slightly. “What caused the fire back there?” he inquired, his voice steady but probing.

Yves, still shaken from the incident, took a moment to gather himself. “The fire department is still investigating the cause,” he explained, his tone shaky. “But I assure you, we will provide a full explanation to all our guests once we have more information.”

Satisfied with Yves’s response, Easton felt there was no reason to linger any longer. After exchanging a few brief words with Yves, he guided Sophia toward the parking lot.

As they walked a short distance, Sophia paused, her expression shifting to one of hesitation. “Thank you for your help back there,” she said, her voice tinged with discomfort. “But I drove myself here, so I’ll be fine getting home alone.”

As she reached for his jacket to return it, Easton placed his hand gently on her shoulder, a silent plea for her to keep it. “Keep it for now,” he said softly, his gaze steady.

She searched his eyes for a flicker of emotion but found only a calm resolve.

“Okay,” she whispered, a hint of uncertainty in her voice.

Clutching the painting to her chest, she turned and walked toward her car, the weight of the moment lingering in the air.

Easton stood rooted to the spot, his hands buried in his pockets, watching her retreating figure. A strange heaviness settled in his chest—an amalgamation of frustration and something deeper, something he couldn’t quite articulate.

He slid into his car, lighting a cigarette, the smoke curling upward, mingling with the stillness of the evening.

Just then, the shrill ringing of his phone shattered the silence. Gordon’s name flashed across the screen, pulling him back to reality.

“Mr. Foster, the executive director from the Menolian office is here. Your meeting starts in an hour,” Gordon informed him.

“On my way back now,” Easton replied curtly, his mind still partially on Sophia.

*****

Inside her car, Sophia placed Easton’s jacket on the passenger seat, her thoughts swirling around his protective gestures and the way he had looked at her, leaving her feeling unexpectedly flustered.

As his car disappeared from view, a wave of relief washed over her, the tension of the day beginning to fade.

Taking out her phone, she quickly navigated to the gallery’s website and completed the payment for the painting, sending Yves a screenshot of the confirmation.

With the transaction finalized, she started the engine and pulled away from the scene, her mind still racing.

With her meeting wrapping up earlier than expected, Sophia found herself wandering the mall, her thoughts still lingering on the day’s events. She paused at the entrance of an antique shop, curiosity piquing her interest, and stepped inside.

An antique painting caught her eye near the window, its rich colors and intricate details drawing her in. As she carefully lifted it to admire it, a familiar voice broke her concentration. “Well, what a surprise to see you here, Ms. Roth,” it said, dripping with sarcasm.

Sophia turned to see Stella standing beside her, a mocking smile plastered across her face.

Minnie was there too, watching with clear amusement, her presence a reminder of their shared history.

Sophia recognized Minnie instantly—the Hayes family’s illegitimate daughter, always the subject of whispered gossip and disdain. Back when Sophia was married to Easton, she had seen how the other socialites treated Minnie with open contempt, and now she wondered if time spent in Stella’s orbit had finally given Minnie the courage to confront her.

A cool smile crept onto Sophia’s lips as she regarded them with undisguised disdain. Choosing to ignore their presence, she completed her purchase and turned to leave.

“Easton told me about his little rescue at the convention center today,” Stella remarked casually, her tone laced with a challenge.

Sophia felt a flicker of annoyance at Stella’s need to assert dominance. “And?” she replied, meeting Stella’s gaze with an unwavering calm.

“Don’t read anything into him saving you,” Stella shot back, her eyes glinting with provocation. “I’ve always been the one he loves—that’s why he left you. So don’t get any ideas.”

A soft laugh escaped Sophia, her confidence rising. “Five years, and still no ring? Maybe Easton was never serious about marrying you.”

“You…” Stella’s composure faltered for just a moment, revealing a crack in her facade.

“Funny,” Sophia smiled, her tone light yet pointed. “I never planned to involve myself in your relationship. But the way you keep reminding me of your connection to him makes me wonder if I still have a chance.”

“Maybe I should try harder. Perhaps he’s thinking about us getting back together. What do you think?” she added, her voice playful yet laced with an underlying challenge.

The tension hung thick in the air, each woman silently measuring the other, the stakes suddenly raised in their unspoken rivalry.