Chapter 2

Sophia's POV

There was a full five seconds of silence on the other end before Dad's voice broke into a choked, joyful sob.

"Yes! My dear daughter, you've finally come to your senses! I'll arrange everything right away! Tomorrow...no, tonight I'll have the legal team on standby!"

The Lancaster family. New York's wealthiest. A true top-tier dynasty.

I was the Lancaster family's long-lost heiress, separated from them for over twenty years. Six months ago, the Lancasters found me and begged me to come home.

At the time, I refused.

Because back then, I foolishly believed I could warm the heart of Ethan Ford, that cold, unfeeling stone.

I was an orphan. The Ford family sponsored my education.

Later, Ethan got into a car accident saving Isla. His legs were paralyzed, and doctors said he might spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.

Isla ran off and flew overseas for "further studies."

It was me who married paralyzed Ethan Ford, despite everyone's ridicule.

For two whole years.

I taught myself rehabilitation massage and spent three hours a day massaging him until my finger joints became deformed. I learned to cook for him, and my hands were covered in burn scars.

The day Ethan stood up again, he held me and cried, swearing he would never betray me.

But a man's vows are probably only real in that single moment.

When Isla came back to the country, she shed a few tears and offered some excuse about "hardships back then," and Ethan's heart tilted.

Once tilted, it stayed that way for a year.

Now, the debt was repaid. The love was spent.

"Dad, don't make it too high-profile. I just want to divorce quietly."

I said softly,

"Give me a month to clean up the mess here."

"Whatever you say! As long as you come home, the entire Lancaster Corporation is yours! Anyone who dares bully you, I'll make sure they can't survive in this city!"

I hung up, and the weight in my chest finally seemed to lift.

My phone buzzed.

A message from Ethan:

"I submitted your resignation letter to your hospital director."

"Isla's coming to our place to recover after she's discharged. I don't trust outsiders to take care of her. Since you're being so reasonable, spend this month at home looking after her."

I stared at those lines of shameless text on the screen. I didn't feel angry. I almost wanted to laugh.

He wanted me, his wife, to quit my job and stay home to care for his mistress?

Ethan Ford, you're really pushing the limits of absurdity.

Thinking of my plan, I tapped lightly and replied with one word:

"Okay."

This month would be my final tribute to this dead love.

By the time I got home, it was 4 a.m.

The villa was brightly lit.

Isla didn't want to stay in the hospital, so she threw a fit about going home to recover. Ethan actually indulged her and brought her back in the middle of the night.

When I pushed open the door, I saw Isla wearing my silk pajamas, leaning delicately against the sofa.

Ethan was half-kneeling on the floor, carefully feeding her water.

At the sound of the door opening, Isla flinched like a startled little rabbit.

"She's back... Ethan, I told you not to come here. She's definitely going to be upset..."

Ethan slammed the glass down on the coffee table and shot me a cold look.

"This is my house. I'll have whoever I want here. Does she dare have an opinion?"

I changed my shoes and walked over.

"The doctor said she needs rest. The mattress in the master bedroom is soft. Let her sleep there."

Ethan ordered matter-of-factly,

"You sleep in the guest room."

She was taking over my nest, and doing it so brazenly.

I nodded.

"Fine."

I turned to go upstairs and pack my things.

I'd already been so compliant, but somehow he still stood up abruptly and blocked my way in a few strides.

"Sophia, what the hell are you playing at? This isn't like you."

I looked up.

"Aren't you the one who told me to be reasonable? Now I'm not only reasonable but generous. I've given up my husband and my bed. What else could Mr. Ford possibly be dissatisfied with?"

"You-"

Ethan was left speechless.

"Oh, by the way,"

I remembered something.

"Since you're taking care of a patient, don't sleep too soundly tonight. Keep an eye on her temperature. I'm exhausted. I'm going to bed."

With that, I walked past Ethan and went straight upstairs.

I entered the guest room and locked the door.

Leaning against the door, I let out a long breath.

I pulled out my phone and opened an encrypted app.

It was my private booking account as the top surgeon "M"-and another identity of the Lancaster heiress.

If I was leaving, I'd leave cleanly.

For the past three years, I'd worked earnestly at Ford Hospital on a fixed salary. Now, it was time to reclaim what I was truly worth.

Downstairs, Isla watched as Ethan stared blankly at the staircase. She bit her lip.

She tugged gently on his sleeve.

"Ethan, has she stopped loving you? She seems... like she really doesn't care anymore."

Ethan snapped out of it and sneered.

"Doesn't care? She's loved me for ten years. How could she just cut it off like that? She's just trying a different way to get my attention."

He was utterly confident.

I couldn't leave him. That was common knowledge in their circle.

Even now, he still thought that as long as he crooked his finger, I'd crawl back to him like a dog.

"Just wait. Within three days, she'll definitely come crying and beg me to kick you out."

Ethan ruffled Isla's hair.

"When that happens, I'll make her kneel and apologize to you."

Isla nodded obediently, but a flash of cunning gleamed in her eyes.