Poof! Wife Status, ERASED

Chapter 3: She Could Never Compare

Eight years ago, Elizabeth and Robert Song lost their only son in a tragic car accident, and since then, their home had been without an heir.

Sophia Roberts had sponsored many girls over the years, but only two—Olivia Smith and Isabella Thompson from Sheng Village—had truly made her proud by getting into university.

For reasons Sophia couldn't quite understand, Elizabeth had taken a special liking to Isabella and insisted on adopting her as her goddaughter.

It was this connection that gave Isabella the audacity to call Sophia "sister" and Ethan Vanderbilt "brother-in-law."

Ethan gave a curt nod, carefully picking up a piece of fish, removing the bones, and placing it in Sophia's bowl. His expression was cold, but his actions were deliberate—he was only acknowledging Isabella out of respect for Sophia.

Sophia couldn't take it anymore. She was about to leave when she felt it—a soft, delicate foot brushing against her calf under the table. The touch was too quick, too purposeful.

Moments later, Ethan's face twisted in a barely concealed look of pleasure. Though the table separated them, Sophia could see the unspoken, synchronized movements between him and Isabella.

She couldn't remember how she made it back to her room, but clutching her father's portrait was the only thing that kept her grounded.

Not long after, there was a knock at the door.

"Sophia, I found the dowry your grandmother left behind. Come take a look?" Elizabeth's voice called from the hallway.

Sophia opened the door to find Elizabeth holding a simple silver bracelet, no more than a few hundred dollars in value. Elizabeth placed it in Sophia's palm without hesitation.

"This is the Song family heirloom," she said, smiling warmly. "I've been saving it for you. I know you were closest to your grandmother. I hope this can make up for some of the neglect you felt growing up."

Sophia stared at the bracelet, unsure how to feel, but she forced a smile. "Thank you."

As she turned to leave, Isabella appeared in the doorway.

"Oh, this bracelet is so unique!" Isabella cooed, eyeing it with feigned admiration. "Godmother, you're playing favorites~"

Elizabeth, not missing a beat, removed her own gold bracelet and handed it to Isabella. "How could I forget you, darling?"

Isabella took it, but her pout deepened. "But I really want a silver bracelet like Sophia's~"

"Don't be ridiculous," Elizabeth snapped. "That's her grandmother's dowry!"

Isabella huffed but quickly recovered. "Then can I at least take a picture? My boyfriend spoils me—he'll have one custom-made for me~"

Sophia wasn't about to let her have her way.

In the struggle for the bracelet, it slipped from Sophia's hand and rolled down the steps, landing at Ethan's feet. He picked it up, wiped it clean on his suit, and handed it back to Sophia.

His gaze darkened as he spoke, his voice low but commanding. "If it weren't for Sophia, the Song family would've been swallowed up by my company long ago. Show her some respect."

Isabella stiffened, and tears welled up in her eyes as she ran to her room, unable to hide her humiliation.

That night, Ethan held Sophia close, whispering sweet words of reassurance in her ear. But each word made her stomach turn. As she stared at his handsome, familiar face, the question that had been haunting her for so long finally slipped out.

"Ethan, do you really love me?"

He looked at her, startled, as if the very idea of her doubting his love was a betrayal. "Baby, why would you ask that? Of course, I love you."

Sophia's eyes burned with unshed tears. "Did I do something wrong? Tell me. I'll fix it—just don't shut me out." His hands trembled as he buried his face in her shoulder, his voice thick with emotion.

Sophia almost laughed. If he truly feared losing her, why was he so entangled with Isabella? He knew the scars she carried, the years it took for her to heal—yet he was the one who had driven the knife in.

Was this really love?

She said nothing, gently pushing him away. "Just a joke."

Relief flooded Ethan's face as he pulled her into a tight embrace. "Baby, everyone in Oceanview knows how much I adore you. Don't scare me like that again, okay?"

His words, so earnest, sent a pang of bitterness through her chest. That one phrase, so simple, had him clutching her like she was his whole world. But Sophia knew better. She had seen too much.

Ethan stayed beside her, waiting until she fell asleep, his breathing steady beside her. Only then did he slip out of bed, his movements careful and deliberate.

Sophia's eyes shot open the moment he left.

Her phone lit up with two notifications. The first was a screenshot of a chat log between Isabella and Ethan.

[Brother-in-law~ No roleplay tonight. But… I'll lock the door in under ten minutes.]

Ethan's reply: [Try me.]

The second message was from Olivia.

[Sophia, everything's set. I'll collect your 'ashes' and deliver them to Ethan myself.]

Sophia set the phone down, her hand shaking. But as she moved to put it aside, she accidentally tapped on a voice message.

The audio was filled with moans, gasps, and a woman's sharp cry, followed by a deep, low groan. Then, breathless and teasing:

"Brother-in-law~ Who do you like better—me or her… ah—"

A man's hand clamped around Isabella's throat. "You don't get to compare yourself to her."

Isabella whimpered. "I was just asking! Why are you so mad?"

Ethan's voice, strained and exasperated, came next. "She could never compare."