Chapter 7

"Sophia! You already messed up Eva once, and now that she's finally getting better, you still won't stop hurting her!" Rebecca was practically trembling with rage, her foundation nearly cracking under the strain of her twisted expression as she glared daggers at Sophia. "Auntie… I didn't." Sophia's voice was soft but steady. "If I didn't do it, then I didn't. That's the truth!" "Still won't admit it, huh?" Rebecca spat into her palm, rubbed her hands together, then grabbed Sophia's chin, smacking her twice sharp and fast across the face. "Trash. Slut! Even hell's too clean for someone like you! Why are you still breathing and disgusting people here?" Lucas's fists clenched tight at the scene. Even if Sophia were the worst… she was still his problem. No one else had the right to treat her like that. "Mom!" Eva broke free of Lucas's arms and rushed to Rebecca, tears spilling down her cheeks. "Stop hitting Sophia! It's my fault—I didn't see things clearly before. If Lucas loves her, then… even if it breaks me, I'll accept it. I'll deal with it… sob…" "Eva, you are way too kind! That woman? Someone like her? How on earth could Lucas be into her?" Rebecca huffed, eyes narrowing as she turned toward Lucas. If he didn't divorce… Then Eva would never become Mrs. Bennett. "Of course I wouldn't fall for someone like her," Lucas replied flatly, sounding totally indifferent. But when he saw the way Sophia looked at him—empty, disappointed—his chest tightened. Was he… still caring about this mess of a woman? No. No way. No point anymore. "Get her out of here. She's injured. Take her to the car!" he ordered. Hearing his non-answer hit Eva hard. Her face changed in an instant. Even now, Lucas still couldn't let Sophia go? Suddenly, she clutched her head, and before anyone could react, she collapsed backward as if all her strength had drained from her. "Eva! What's wrong?!" Rebecca screamed, grabbing everyone's attention. The room broke into chaos. Lucas quickly scooped Eva up and rushed toward the ER. Rebecca and the bodyguards followed closely behind. And just like that, Sophia was left alone—still crumpled on the floor. Well, not completely alone. There were still some onlookers hanging around the doorway—doctors, nurses, patients. "She looks so put-together, who'd guess she's actually this vile?" "Right? I heard she not only hurt Miss Walters but also pushed Mr. Bennett's father off the balcony. Poor guy's still in a coma." "Someone like her? She deserves every slap. What really breaks my heart is her baby. That child did nothing wrong, and now it's born into this mess." "Seriously. Ugh, let's get outta here before bad luck rubs off on us." The ridicule buzzing all around her felt like cobwebs—thin, sticky, impossible to shake off. Each word wrapped around Sophia like invisible thread, making even the smallest movement feel unbearably heavy. She propped herself up against the wall, forcing her sore limbs into motion, step by painful step. Even if she only made it a few feet away, even a breath of different air would feel less suffocating. There was nothing tying her here anymore. She had to leave him—completely.