At night, the lights in the room were turned off, leaving only the dim moonlight by the bed.

The moment the door was pushed open, Sophia Caldwell opened her eyes.

She lay on her side on the bed with her back to the door, not moving at all. The mattress dipped as someone lay down beside her.

She turned over, reaching into the man’s pajama top with her slender fingers. The moment her hand felt the muscles beneath his skin tense, she became bolder.

She heard his breathing grow heavier, his chest rising and falling rapidly. But just as her hand slid lower, a strong grip caught her wrist, pinning it above her head.

The man flipped over, pressing her beneath him. "What are you doing?"

His hot breath brushed against her face. Her pajamas were slightly open, and their skin pressed together, sending warmth coursing through her.

She tilted her head slightly, her tongue flicking over his Adam’s apple. His breath hitched, and his body burned even hotter.

Her tongue traced a slow path from his throat to his collarbone, pausing over a faint mark on his chest. His control snapped.

He lowered his head, his lips capturing the delicate skin of her neck, his large hand sliding over her chest, rubbing in slow, deliberate motions. The heat between them built, making it nearly unbearable. Just as he was about to let go and surrender to desire—

A calm voice broke through.

"It’s time for me to hand in my homework."

The man froze. His voice turned cold, tinged with irritation. "Is that all you ever think about?"

Sophia stared blankly at the ceiling, feeling the heat in her body quickly fade.

"What else should I think about?" she murmured. "Your mother reminds me every day. I’m neither male nor female, and yet I’m expected to give birth. If this doesn’t work, you can always donate some sperm, and I’ll handle the rest with IVF."

A bitter chuckle escaped him. "Is this really about my mother, or do you just want to secure your place as Mrs. Lancaster?"

Her heart clenched, but Sophia’s expression remained calm. She smirked coldly. "Yes, of course. I need to protect myself before you decide to toss me aside one day."

Ethan sneered, rolling off her. His voice dripped with disdain. "I’m not having a child. Get over it."

The small smile on Sophia’s lips vanished. As he reached for the door, she suddenly spoke.

"Ethan Lancaster, tell me the truth. Is it that you don’t want children at all, or… you just don’t want to have a child with me?"

He paused, his back to her. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice cold.

Sophia clenched her fists beneath the covers. "Nothing. I’m just done. I want a divorce."

"Do whatever you want."

Ethan left with those parting words, slamming the door behind him.

Sophia lay still, staring at the ceiling, a bitter sneer curling her lips. Silent tears rolled down her cheeks. After a long while, she reached for her phone on the bedside table.

As soon as she unlocked the screen, a photo popped up—a screenshot from Charlotte Monroe’s social media.

A pregnancy test.

Before the pregnancy announcement, the media had already caught Ethan and Charlotte together.

The timeline matched perfectly.

Sophia stared at the image, feeling as though countless tiny needles were stabbing into her heart. The pain was suffocating.

Three years of marriage couldn’t compare to a single pregnancy test.

Before Ethan married her, he and Charlotte had been in love. But Madam Lancaster disapproved of Charlotte’s background and had fiercely opposed their relationship.

Heartbroken, Ethan had married Sophia instead—the woman from the most unremarkable family in the city—just to spite his family.

The Lancaster family was a powerhouse in the business world, and many families sought to forge ties with them. The Caldwell family was no exception.

Everyone thought she had married Ethan for power. Even Ethan believed it.

Only she knew the truth—she had simply wanted him.

But Charlotte Monroe was the abyss between them, one she could never cross.

She had tried to bridge the gap, to build something real between them. But every time she took a step forward, the abyss only widened. The other side was forever out of reach.

And from across that chasm, Ethan had only ever laughed at her persistence—at her foolishness.

This time, she was truly tired.

A sudden laugh tore from her throat, but the motion jolted the bruises on her abdomen, sending a sharp pain through her body.

At least the lights had been off.

He hadn’t noticed anything was wrong.