Con

CHAPTER 13

Sophia’s POV

I was in a cafe just outside the school campus, enthusiastically discussing a big project with my classmates, when I noticed a luxury car parked on the other side of the street. My heart lurched when I saw a man step out and cross the street toward

me

Elijah?! I thought incredulously, squinting through the glass window of the cafe. I had tuned out the voices of the group as I slowly stood up and focused on the man striding in my direction.

Is it really him? My mind whirled with confusion. I gasped as he came into focus. Oh, my god. It’s him. What’s he doing here?

Without thinking, my hand went to the bulge on my stomach. “Excuse me, I’ll be back,” I muttered to my classmates and felt an urgent need to escape. I had to get as far away from him as possible!

Just then, I saw Serena come out of the car behind Elijah. Her beach waves blew gently in the wind as she joined him and linked her fingers with his.

I can’t believe they came to Paris together, thought bitterly. This is supposed to be my safe and happy place. They had to come and ruin it.

I rushed in the opposite direction, hoping they wouldn’t see me or catch up to me

“Sophia?” I heard Elijah call my name. I froze, but I didn’t turn around.

I heard the jingle–jangle of the bell on top of the cafe door

“Sophia, let’s talk,” his familiar deep voice urged. I had no choice but to face him.

“There’s nothing to talk about,” I said in a monotone

He dropped Serena’s hand and approached me, but I moved farther back. “What do you want? Whatever you need to say, just say it right here.

He looked greatly pissed. “Well,” he started sarcastically, raising his voice and making some heads turn. “Congratulations on getting pregnant… by the man you betrayed me with while we were married!”

I was dumbfounded, my mouth gaping in shock. I could hear gasps and hushed whispers in the crowd

“Let’s talk in my apartment,” I told them flatly, I had no choice as I didn’t want to cause any spectacle. “It’s nearby.”

They followed me quietly. I picked up my pace and never looked back until we were right in front of my unit.

was great seeing you the other day,” Serena remarked as I fumbled with my keys. She probably wanted to piss me off or throw me off balance. I did not say anything.

Once we were inside, Serena began loudly commenting on my furniture. Meanwhile, I noticed how Elijah appeared to be looking for someone. Finally, he asked, “Where’s your… companion?”

“Huh?” I was puzzled. “I live alone.”

“So you

don’t live with the man you’re seeing now?” he demanded to know.

I was certain that Serena had already told him about Daniel. But before I could explain anything, Elijah took a menacing step forward, the rage showing in his eyes.

“Tell me, Sophia. Are you seeing another man? Because if you are, then you’re cheating on me because we’re not fully divorced yet!”

I was taken aback. What did he mean by that?

“You must have been seeing this man even before, so you were already cheating on me before you came here,” Elijah continued. I have never seen him this angry. He came closer and gripped my wrist tightly. “Are you pregnant?!”

I was so furious that he was treating me this way that I spat out, “So what if I am?! It’s none of your business!”

I saw his eyes flash with wrath. “Whose baby is it that you’re carrying?”

My heart felt like it would burst anytime. I just stared up at him and said nothing. I couldn’t make myself lie.

“Whose baby is it, Sophia?!” He repeated angrily and began shaking my shoulders frantically, hurting me already.

Serena just gaped at us as he continued to shake me. Tears began streaming down my cheeks.

When Elijah saw my tears, he immediately stopped shaking me but continued to grip my shoulders with both of his hands. “Tell me the truth, Sophia. Were you already

CHAPTER TE

with this man when we were married? Did you betray me a His voice

no time an

crackled with emotion.

I couldn’t believe what he was asking me. Apparently, he never loved me or even trusted me! Hence, I didn’t say anything.

Elijah opened his mouth again to say something, but he was interrupted by a loud

male voice.

“Let her go!”