Chapter 4 Stormy Parting

Dylan's words struck like lightning, instantly silencing the feuding Sophia and Zachary.

For both of them, Dylan was a crucial family member who couldn't be ignored.

Zachary quickly made his decision. "Let's go back home first. We need to figure out how to handle Dylan before dealing with anything else."

Sophia pressed her lips together, set down her suitcase, and followed Zachary out the door to the car.

The entire ride passed in silence, with Sophia leaning against the window, her lifeless eyes watching the scenery flash by.

When they arrived at Spencer Manor, Sophia pushed open the car door and walked briskly inside without waiting.

In the past, no matter where they went, Sophia would always wait for Zachary so they could enter together.

Now that she had another man and was thinking about divorce, she was clearly different.

Zachary's expression darkened as he followed her inside. They stood one behind the other at the entrance, changing their shoes.

Sophia moved sluggishly; after everything that had happened, she was emotionally exhausted and had no idea how to face Dylan.

Just as she was steeling herself, Dylan's voice drifted from the dining room.

"I had them set out steak and chicken soup over here—Sophia's favorites."

Sophia felt her heart constrict as if gripped by an invisible hand, a sharp pain shooting through her chest.

The kinder Dylan was to her, the more ashamed she felt.

She hesitated for a moment, but Zachary had already finished changing shoes and headed inside.

Sophia quickly followed, not wanting to delay any longer.

Even though it was just a family dinner for three, Dylan had arranged for a full table of dishes.

Hearing sounds from the entrance, Dylan looked up and noticed Sophia's somewhat flustered appearance.

He immediately frowned at Zachary. "Zachary, Sophia is pregnant now. You need to learn to be more considerate. You can't be careless anymore and make Sophia accommodate you!"

Sophia pulled out a dining chair, intending to sit nearby, but Dylan specifically came over and guided her to sit at his left side.

His gaze was exceptionally loving, looking at Sophia with extraordinary tenderness.

"This is your and Zachary's first child—I'm absolutely thrilled!"

When Dylan excitedly mentioned their "first child," Sophia instinctively glanced at Zachary beside her.

His eyes had grown colder, displeasure written all over his face.

Sophia quickly looked away.

Of course, Zachary had never truly considered her his wife.

In his mind, his first child should probably be with Paula, shouldn't it?

Dylan was completely absorbed in the excitement of welcoming new life into the family and didn't notice the strain on Sophia's face.

Zachary approached, about to sit at Dylan's right side, but Dylan glared at him.

"How long have you been married, and you're still so clueless? Sit next to Sophia and help her with whatever she wants to eat."

Zachary's movement froze, then he changed direction and sat down beside Sophia.

As the family dinner began, Dylan chuckled warmly. "Sophia's pregnancy is wonderful news for our family. I've already contacted the media to announce this joyful news. When the child is born, I'll transfer the remaining shares I hold to the child as a token of my affection."

Spencer Group was currently in an upward trajectory, so the value of those shares went without saying.

It was clear evidence of how genuinely Dylan anticipated this child.

The more Dylan anticipated the child, the more anxious Sophia became.

The higher his expectations now, the more disappointed he would be when he learned the truth later.

Sophia unconsciously straightened in her chair, her expression tense. "Dylan, I'm still in the very early stages of pregnancy. There's no need to make such a big deal about it."

With that, she shot Zachary a meaningful look.

Zachary cleared his throat. "Grandfather, it's still too early. Even if we were to make an announcement, we should wait until after the child is born."

Sophia's expression darkened.

Under the table, she lightly kicked Zachary's foot.

Between the two of them, how could they possibly wait until this child was born?

Zachary's expression remained unchanged, maintaining his calm and collected demeanor.

Seeing that both of them felt this way, Dylan didn't insist further.

"Then we'll listen to Zachary. We'll wait until the child is born before we celebrate properly!"

Sophia ate this meal like she was chewing wax, both terrified and tormented by morning sickness.

Under Dylan's direction, Zachary kept serving Sophia food throughout the meal.

Looking at all her favorite dishes, Sophia couldn't muster any appetite.

After eating just a little, Sophia set down her utensils and sat quietly to one side.

According to their usual routine, after the family dinner ended, Zachary and Sophia would head home.

But today Dylan was particularly worried.

During dinner, he had noticed that both of them seemed distracted, and Sophia's eyes were red, as if they had just had a fight.

He couldn't feel comfortable letting them leave like this.

"Since you rarely come back, why don't you stay here tonight? I've already had someone prepare your room."

Dylan didn't give them any chance to refuse, making the arrangement unilaterally.

Watching them walk into the room one after the other, Dylan pulled Zachary aside for a private word.

"Sophia has such a tender heart. If you've upset her, just swallow your pride and apologize. Whatever the issue is, talk it through properly."

Zachary casually agreed and went inside, closing the door behind him and shutting out Dylan's caring gaze.

When he turned around, he saw that Sophia had already taken a set of bedding and was neatly arranging a makeshift bed on the floor.

"I'll have to ask you to bear with this tonight—we'll sleep separately."

Having made up the floor bed, Sophia saw that Zachary had entered and explained with downcast eyes, pulling back the covers to lie down.

Zachary strode over quickly, grabbing Sophia's wrist and pulling her up.

"Sleep on the bed," he said curtly.

Sophia struggled forcefully, but her strength was no match for Zachary's.

"I've already agreed to divorce you. What more do you want?"

A layer of mist clouded Sophia's eyes as she frowned angrily, her words carrying a hint of indignation.

"Is this bed not big enough for you? Or do you think I'd try something inappropriate with you while you're pregnant?" Zachary scoffed coldly.

"I just think it's unnecessary. Since we're getting divorced, we should keep things clear and avoid any entanglement, so others don't get the wrong idea!" Sophia huffed.

The "others" she referred to was naturally Paula.

However, Zachary didn't interpret it that way. The anger in his eyes intensified, like two small flames burning.

"You'd rather compromise yourself than let your lover misunderstand?"

His heart was pounding, veins bulging on his forehead, with the stubborn determination of someone who absolutely had to hear an answer from Sophia.

Sophia remained silent, only lifting her head to look at Zachary defiantly.

After a long standoff, Zachary released Sophia. He left in silence, his steps quick and decisive.

The door slammed shut with a tremendous crash that seemed to strike Sophia's heart.

She was left standing by the bed with her head down, her heart filled with sorrow.