Chapter 2

Sophia froze. Gerald's icy voice continued, "Four years of marriage—time's up."

His gaze grew even colder. "Perfect timing. Once you have the baby, we'll get divorced."

Sophia paused.

Three years ago, a lawyer had pushed a prenuptial agreement in front of her. The terms were clear, explicitly stating: the marriage would last four years, and unless otherwise agreed upon at expiration, it would automatically dissolve.

Though she'd had a premonition, hearing him actually say it made Sophia's heart clench painfully.

She lifted her head, keeping her expression blank, struggling to hide the tremor in her voice. "Fine. But there's no need to wait until the baby's born. We can file for divorce tomorrow."

Gerald's eyes darkened suddenly.

"No need." His voice was cold and hard, cutting off her suggestion. "We agreed on a specific time. We'll stick to it."

Just as he finished speaking, a phone rang.

Gerald lowered his eyes to the screen. With just one glance, the oppressive coldness surrounding him visibly melted away.

Sophia's heart sank further.

Gerald swiped to answer.

"Claire." His voice was gentle in a way Sophia had never heard before.

A girl's crying could be faintly heard from the other end, capturing all of Gerald's attention.

"It's okay now, it's all over." He turned away, his side facing Sophia. "Yes, I know you're scared... Don't worry, I'll be right there."

Sophia's palms clenched quietly as she watched Gerald walk to the coat rack, take down the suit jacket he'd just hung up, and head for the door.

Just then, the door opened from outside, and a group of people appeared in the doorway.

Mason leaned on his cane, followed by Gerald's parents.

Gerald's father, Preston Churchill, looked stern, while his mother, Gemma Stewart, immediately noticed the disheveled Sophia.

"What happened?" Gemma hurried over, her tone surprised, her gaze falling on Sophia's rounded belly. "Sophia, why do you look like this?"

Mason looked at Gerald, his expression darkening. "It's so late—you're still going out? What could be more important than home? Did you two have another fight today?"

He turned to Sophia, his tone softening. "Sophia, you're in the most delicate condition right now. You need to be extra careful. Put the baby first in everything, and don't throw tantrums, okay?"

Sophia lowered her lashes, hiding all the emotions in her eyes, her face showing its usual gentle compliance. "Don't worry, I'm fine."

Just then, Michael bounded up from the game room downstairs.

Gone was his earlier arrogance, replaced by a picture of obedience. "Grandpa! Dad, Mom! You're here!"

He sat down next to Mason, glancing at Sophia. "Sister-in-law doesn't look so good. Has she been lying down too long? I know pregnancy is hard, but lying around all the time isn't good either. Being too lazy affects the baby's development, too."

Sophia's hands tightened, but before she could say anything—

Gemma immediately chimed in, "Michael has a point. Sophia, I'm not criticizing you, but look at yourself..."

She looked Sophia up and down, a hint of disdain in her eyes. In her mind, Sophia looked like a pig that had fallen on hard times, though her words remained measured. "You should rest during pregnancy, but moderate exercise is necessary too. Otherwise, it's bad for your recovery, and it'll be even harder to get your figure back after giving birth. A woman needs to take care of herself so she can..."

She glanced meaningfully at Gerald. "...so her husband will want to spend more time at home, right?"

Sophia couldn't help but laugh coldly to herself.

Lazy?

Since marrying into the Churchill family, not only had she always handled her own affairs, but she'd also managed Gerald's daily needs, Michael's demanding requests, and even the trivial matters when her in-laws occasionally stayed over. She'd handled every single thing.

"Alright." Mason waved his hand. "Sophia was raised pampered. It's natural she doesn't know these things. Since everyone says she should move around more..."

He turned to Gemma. "You arrange some light, simple tasks for her."

Gemma nodded, her gaze drifting to the dark garden outside the window. She said casually, "I remember that patch in the back garden—the gardener mentioned the soil needed loosening. It's not heavy work. Sophia, go loosen the soil. Get some fresh air."

Her tone was dismissive, as if ordering a common servant, the contempt in her eyes barely concealed.

Sophia's fingertips went cold.

She'd just come back from the pouring rain, exhausted in body and mind. She just wanted to lie in bed and really didn't want to move.

Seeing her standing still, Gerald frowned. "Mom told you to go, so go. What are you standing there for?"

In that moment, Sophia felt something inside her completely die out.

She should have known—in this house, she'd always been the least important person.

More words were useless. Arguing was futile.

She lowered her eyes and turned toward the back door to the garden.

Only after Sophia's figure disappeared into the garden did Mason look back at Gerald.

The kindness faded from his face, revealing a shrewd expression. "Gerald, I know you don't think much of the Neville family girl, and your heart isn't with her."

Gerald's face was expressionless.

"But bringing up divorce now—it's not appropriate." Mason's gaze was distant. "However much the Neville family has declined, plenty of people still remember the favor they did me years ago. You've just gotten a firm grip on the trust fund, but it's not completely secure yet. If you divorce the Neville family's daughter now, what will outsiders think of the Churchill family? Being labeled ungrateful won't do the Churchill Group's reputation any good."

Every word he spoke weighed only benefits and reputation.

Gerald's eyes were dark and gloomy.

After a moment, he slowly forced out a response. "Fine."

Mason nodded with satisfaction. After discussing some company matters with Gerald and seeing it was getting late, he stood up and left with Preston and Gemma.

Michael had long since slipped back downstairs to continue his game.

The living room fell silent again.

Sophia didn't know how long she'd been in the garden. Only when her fingers were numb with cold did she support her aching back and slowly stand up.

When she returned inside, only Gerald remained in the living room.

He stood with his back to her by the window, talking on his phone.

His voice was still deliberately gentle. "...Claire, don't overthink it."

Sophia didn't want to listen and kept walking.

Something was said on the other end, and Gerald's voice suddenly turned cold. "What? It was really her?... Okay, I understand."

The call ended abruptly.

Gerald spun around, his gaze boring into Sophia.

Sophia's steps halted involuntarily.

"Sophia, I really underestimated you. I never thought you could be so calculating!"

Sophia's eyes widened in confusion. She had no idea what he was talking about.