Love Like Falling Petals

Luke's mother noticed Sophie's silence and frowned slightly, inserting herself into the conversation.

"Don’t worry, Sophie. We've agreed that once the child is born, we'll cut ties with Helen. I'll take care of the baby myself and ensure it doesn't interfere with your and Luke's life.

"Besides... If you hadn't discovered this suddenly, it wouldn't have turned into such a messy situation. This is actually better for everyone. After all, you've been married for five years and still haven't been able to have a child..."

Her words struck Sophie like a hammer, smashing into her heart and causing her eyes to turn red with pain.

So, they had all known about this—every single one of them—except her. She was the only one they had deliberately kept in the dark.

Why, then, should she have to pay for Luke's mistakes? Why should she be morally coerced into forgiving them?

Sophie's body trembled with rage as she slapped Luke hard across the face and roared, "Get out! I will never forgive you! Why should I compromise for your mistakes?"

Seeing her son slapped, Luke's mother's eyes flashed with displeasure, and she retaliated with a slap to Sophie's face.

"You've been married for five years and hadn’t been able to have a child. According to the traditions of our hometown, you should've stepped aside long ago.

"And you're just an orphan—being able to marry into the Shaw family was already a blessing. Have we ever criticized you for that?

"Luke didn't want us to pressure you, so as his parents, we never said a word. Now that there's a child, and you don't even need to raise it, how dare you keep making a fuss?"

That slap shattered all the false warmth of the past years.

So, they had always looked down on her for being an orphan...

So, they had always minded the fact that she hadn't been able to give their family a child...

But was it her choice not to have a child? Had she not tried? Had she not desperately wanted a child of her own flesh and blood?

Sophie clutched her face, staring intently at Luke, wanting to see how he would respond.

But Luke didn't dare meet her gaze. Instead, he hurriedly grabbed his mother's hand and said anxiously, "Mom, stop! Sophie has every right to hit me and yell at me. I'm the one who made a mistake, and I'll accept my punishment."

Sophie couldn't help but laugh—a bitter laugh that brought tears to her eyes.

He would accept his punishment?

Did he think a slap or a few harsh words could erase the pain he had caused her?

Could it bring their child back to life?

Just as Sophie was about to tell Luke about their child, his phone rang.

It was Helen calling.

Luke hesitated, glancing at Sophie before choosing to decline the call.

But the phone rang again, and again, just seconds apart.

Unable to ignore it any longer, Luke finally answered.

His expression quickly changed, and his voice filled with anxiety.

"Sophie, Helen fell. I need to go check on her. I'll come back and let you take you anger out on me, okay?"

Although he was asking for Sophie's permission, his body language had already made his decision clear.

As she watched him take a step toward the door, Sophie's eyes darkened, and she let out a soft, bitter laugh.

"Luke, if I told you Helen was lying to you, would you believe me? Would you stay for me?"

Luke's steps faltered, just like they had that day. But, just like before, he didn't turn back. He only left behind a noncommittal reply.

"Sophie, I'm just going to check on her. If everything's fine, I'll come right back to be with you."

Sophie didn't respond, only watching his receding figure, her eyes devoid of any trace of love.

As soon as she heard that Helen was in trouble, Luke's mother couldn't sit still either. Before leaving, however, she couldn't resist throwing out another reprimand.

"Sophie, you should try to understand us. We just want a grandson, an heir..."

Watching them leave, Sophie whispered into the, "But what about me ? It's fine—I'll grant you your wish."

Sophie had initially worried that Luke might notice the changes in the house and try to stop her from leaving.

But now, it was clear her concerns were unfounded.

Luke's heart had already strayed. Right now, his thoughts were entirely consumed by that child. There was no room for anything else.

But when she thought of her own lost child, Sophie's heart filled with a burning hatred.

If Luke knew that she, too, had carried his child, how would he feel?

Would he be as devastated as she was?