The Silent Womb's Revenge

Chapter 21

Sophia Williams had dreamed of traveling the world since childhood.

After her parents' sudden passing, that dream was buried for nineteen long years.

It wasn’t until she left the Sullivan family that she dared to pick it up again.

Her first stop was Erhai Lake. The shimmering waters mirrored the snow-capped Cangshan Mountains, and she rented a small lakeside cottage to recuperate.

There, she ran into Alexander Johnson, her senior from university.

"What a coincidence?" Alexander took her medicine bag from her, sunlight glinting off his glasses.

Sophia managed a weak smile. For an entire month, he took care of her—from hospital visits to brewing her herbal tonics—without missing a single detail.

Until one morning, she caught a glimpse of something in his eyes that shouldn’t have been there.

The next day, Sophia packed her bags and left for Lijiang.

Five years of marriage hadn’t been entirely worthless. At least now, she could book the finest hotels without hesitation, no longer agonizing over the price of an economy-class ticket.

As for Ethan Sullivan’s endless apology letters? Even if she refused to read them, people always made sure she heard about them.

"Mr. Sullivan is truly remorseful this time," the girl at the next table whispered. "He even published a list of all the bags he bought for that mistress."

"Honestly, his wife is too stubborn," the other girl scoffed. "What wealthy man doesn’t stray? At least he spoiled her."

Sophia finished the last bite of her sandwich unhurriedly.

When she stood, the two girls fell silent, staring at her with wide eyes.

"Relax," Sophia tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "A second-chance romance isn’t in the cards for me."

She had truly believed Ethan’s promises once.

Believed them so deeply that even when she was hospitalized after a miscarriage, she still made excuses for him.

Until she saw him with another woman outside the maternity ward.

"Sophia."

The familiar voice made her pause mid-step.

Alexander stood beneath a ginkgo tree, camera in hand, golden leaves resting on his shoulders.

The shutter clicked, capturing her startled expression.

"I searched thirty-seven cities," he said as he approached, the faint scent of pine clinging to him. "Luck was on my side."

Sophia remembered the day in their senior year when Alexander had stopped her behind the library to confess his feelings.

Back then, she had been juggling three part-time jobs, her mind filled only with next month’s rent and her brother Jacob’s tuition.

"Want to make a bet?" Alexander suddenly asked. "That I’ll find you in the next city too."

Sophia almost laughed. "You won’t."

"The wager is," his voice was barely a whisper, "give me a chance to know you again."

In the end, she nodded. When she turned away, she didn’t see his clenched fists.

Meanwhile, back at the café—

"Should we… post this one?" The girl hesitated, pointing at the photo of Sophia’s profile.

"Do it. Mr. Sullivan’s offering ten million for any lead on his wife."

By the time the photo went viral, Ethan Sullivan was in a meeting.

His assistant rushed in with a tablet. His hands trembled so violently he nearly dropped his coffee as he stared at the face he’d longed to see.

"Get the jet ready," he loosened his tie, eyes bloodshot. "We’re flying to Dali."