The Ex-Wife's Escape: From Betrayal to Revenge

Chapter 3

The living room plunged into suffocating silence at Ethan's declaration.

Sophia Williams watched the man who claimed to "protect" her, bitter laughter bubbling beneath her composed facade. His performance was Oscar-worthy—had she not known the truth, she might have believed it herself.

"Let's eat," Mrs. Johnson finally conceded, though resentment dripped from every syllable.

Only the clinking of cutlery and Mrs. Johnson's occasional disdainful snorts broke the tense quiet. Sophia's fingers trembled slightly against her napkin—she recognized the calm before the storm.

"Will you at least give the Johnson family an heir?" Mrs. Johnson slammed her chopsticks down.

Ethan's retort came instantly: "I've told you—Sophia's terrified of childbirth pain. I'd rather remain heirless than see her suffer!"

"You—!" Mr. Johnson's face purpled with rage.

Just as tensions peaked, Sophia spoke softly: "In two weeks, you'll hold your grandson."

All eyes snapped to her.

"Sophia?" Ethan grasped her hand, confusion knitting his brow. "We agreed—no children."

Her lips curved in a ghost of a smile. Of course she wouldn't bear his child—but Isabella Taylor would.

"It's only right," she murmured.

Ethan's frown deepened, sensing something amiss. His phone buzzed, interrupting the thought.

From her periphery, Sophia caught the glowing message: [Ethan, someone asked me out. Should I say yes?]

Three seconds later, Ethan shot up. "Emergency at the office. I have to go."

He bolted without waiting for acknowledgment.

The elder Johnsons' masks shattered instantly. "Useless broodmare!" "You'd never qualify to marry into this family without Ethan's stubbornness!"

Five excruciating hours later, Sophia's lips bore the marks of her restraint.

At dusk, Ethan finally returned to collect her.

"Finished with your... emergency?" Sophia asked abruptly.

"Yeah." His index finger tapped the steering wheel—that telltale habit after seeing Isabella.

"Did my parents give you trouble?"

Sophia opened her mouth to respond when a scrap of lace beneath the passenger seat caught her eye. Her blood turned to ice. They'd done it... here?

She remembered newlywed days, when she'd shyly suggested experimenting. His tender reply: "You're the only one who makes my heart race. I adore every version of you."

The memory curdled now.

"What do you think?" Her voice fractured.

Mistaking her distress, Ethan pulled over to embrace her. "I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

Sophia pushed him away. "Drive."

Not again. Never again. The vow burned silently in her chest.