Poof! Wife Status, ERASED

Chapter 22: Just to See Her One Last Time

He feared she was compromising for the sake of their child, not out of genuine willingness.

Noticing the unease in his eyes, Sophia Holt smiled and extended her right hand.

"Didn't you already prepare the ring? Aren't you going to put it on me?"

Overjoyed, Christopher Holt immediately pulled out the rings he had prepared, spreading them across the hospital bed.

Seeing the dazzling array of diamond rings, Sophia rubbed her temples with a wry smile.

"You bought so many—I can't possibly wear them all!"

But Christopher solemnly picked up a pink diamond ring and slid it onto her finger with trembling hands. "I still think these vulgar things aren't worthy of you."

"If you can't wear them all, string them on a necklace and wear them as a pendant." He kissed the corner of her lips. "No one will ever have more rings than you."

Out of consideration for Sophia's emotions, the engagement ceremony was arranged swiftly—yet it was nothing short of magnificent.

In the elegant, sacred manor, pink rose petals carpeted the path from the gates all the way to the entrance of the castle, leaving every guest in awe.

That day, Sophia stood on the stage in a haute couture gown, while Christopher was the one walking toward her from the other end.

This wasn't just a shift in status—it was his promise to her.

Unwavering. Unchanging.

Once the ceremony concluded, Sophia and Christopher began greeting the Holt family elders. But before they could properly start, a shrill voice shattered the warm atmosphere.

"Sophia Roberts, you vile woman!"

Emily Vanderbilt had been exiled to Africa for two years. Unfamiliar with the land and penniless, she had struggled to survive—taking odd jobs, enduring hunger, and suffering humiliation.

Now, Daniel Vanderbilt had brought her back, not out of familial love, but to use her as a pawn in a political marriage, to please some old man. Even her attendance at the Holt family's engagement banquet was just another scheme to secure a wealthy match and strengthen the Vanderbilt empire.

She had lost everything. The luxurious life she once knew was gone, and the one responsible for her downfall was Sophia Roberts!

If Sophia hadn't "died" so suddenly, Ethan would never have taken his anger out on her!

Why should her family be reduced to living worse than dogs while Sophia got to reinvent herself and marry into wealth?

She wanted to see how the Holt family would react when they found out their precious bride was nothing but a divorced fraud!

"Did you really think changing your name would fool everyone? Do you honestly believe the Holt family would fall for your lies?"

"Mr. Holt! You've been deceived! This woman isn't Sophia Holt—she's my brother's ex-wife! A lying, gold-digging tramp—"

Slap.

Grace Holt, who had rushed back from abroad in sunglasses, struck Emily across the face.

"You dare cause trouble at my brother and sister-in-law's engagement? Who gave you the right?"

Emily staggered from the force of the blow.

She knew better than to provoke the Holt family and quickly lowered her head. "Miss Holt, you've all been tricked by this woman!"

"Do you think the Holt family is as brainless as the Vanderbilts? One more word of slander against my sister-in-law, and a slap will be the least of your worries."

With a slight wave of her hand, security immediately dragged Emily away.

Grace turned to Sophia, eyes brimming with tears, and pulled out her phone to show her fan ranking.

"Sis! I'm not just your biggest fan—I'm also the president of your and Chris's fan club!"

Sophia suddenly remembered that reality show years ago, where everyone had cheered for her and Ethan—except for one person who had braved the backlash, flooding the forums with essays and donations, warning her that Ethan was no good.

Fate had a funny way of bringing them back together.

"Don't worry, sis. I've already had the lawyers draft a prenup. If my brother ever dares to wrong you, he'll be kicked out with nothing!"

Cradled in the Holt family's embrace, Sophia never knew that on the day of her engagement, someone had waited outside the castle all day—just to catch one last glimpse of her.