Chapter 4 He Is Your Lover, Right

His words pierced her heart. Sophia was furious.

"We're done, William. Respect it." Sophia pushed him away.

William yanked her back. "Who's the guy you left me for?"

"A thousand times better than you!" Sophia jerked her hand free.

Sophia stormed off. Behind her, William collapsed – his fever back.

The rain poured on as they reached a deal, thanks to Tony.

They'd leave when the bridge was passable. Her place: $100k/day for lodging and medical bills.

They stayed a week. Emily loved her new playmates, James and Michael.

Michael, a gentle soul, adored Emily's bubbly nature with James by her side.

He'd wake James daily, dragging him to Sophia's to wait for Emily.

William stayed put, meetings nonstop.

He ended a conference call to find Emily on the stairs, not napping.

Emily stumbled to William, eyes red, "Hold me." He awkwardly picked her up.

The cook burst in: "Sophia's treating the village elders." Wait, she does that?

Sophia left, asking Tammy Sullivan to watch Emily. Tammy bailed to grab laundry, leaving Emily to fend for herself.

William's gaze chilled. "Do you know how dangerous this is?"

A toddler alone? Anything could happen

Tammy panicked, defending herself before William's fury.

"I forgot laundry, and it's raining!""My house is next door. I thought I'd be back, but Emily woke up."

Emily kissed his cheek, "Daddy, don't be mad."

Emily, babbling "Daddy", didn't know what it meant. William hugged her tight, his thoughts wild.

Emily his kid? Nah, impossible. He used protection, timing didn't add up.

Sophia returned, disinfecting at the door. The rain worsened the elders' conditions, taking longer to treat.

Sophia walked in: Emily's with William, Tammy's apologizing.

Sophia frowned. "Tammy, I asked you to stay with her."

Tammy flipped – Sophia was never like this before.

Tammy explained, "I saw Emily sleeping, my house is close, so I thought I'd be quick."

"Emily's fine. Kids in our village stay home alone during harvest, nothing happens."

"He's overreacting! I've worked here a month, never had issues. You owe me compensation."

Sophia's gaze chilled. "He's not her dad. We're employer-employee. What if something happened?"

Tammy got nervous; Sophia paid well and was generous with extras.

Sophia's deliveries were a treat – seafood, Kobe beef, way out of their league.

"Sophia, I'll never do it again. Please give me another chance."

She reached for Emily. "Emily, come." William blocked her.

Tammy's dirty hands triggered Sophia. She pulled out cash. "Tammy, you're fired. Leave."

Tammy was shocked – fired for a quick trip home?

"Sophia, you're heartless!" Sophia shoved her out. "Get out!"

She'd lived in Rain Village as a kid, left for school.

Post-divorce, she'd headed to Rain Village with Emily.She wasn't showing then, but rumors spread – abandoned while pregnant.

She saved the chief's life; the village's attitude shifted. Medical help was scarce there.

They'd travel hours for medical care, but now people came to her for minor stuff.

Tammy dropped the act!

She gripped the gate, shouting, "Is he your lover, Sophia?"

"His kids clearly aren't fond of you."You must have stolen someone else's husband! "A gorgeous woman like you shouldn't be raising a kid alone."

"I've dealt with women like you before,, pretending to be kind but really being promiscuous. "She'll probably end up just like you."

Sophia slapped Tammy thrice. "Shut it." Guards dragged her out.

Tammy hit the floor, screaming, "They hit me! Adulterers bullying an old lady!"