Chapter 94 Sophie Winslow Taking the Child to Form a Family of Three with Another Man?

Chapter 94: Chapter 94: Sophie Winslow Taking the Child to Form a Family of Three with Another Man?

Talk about enemies crossing paths.

She and Ivy Hawthorne had been frequenting this restaurant for years. Who would have thought that Julian Sterling would also choose this exact place to celebrate his freedom from marriage?

"He’s throwing a celebration?" Ivy gritted her teeth, letting out a humorless laugh. "Like he couldn’t wait to divorce you! What did you ever do to wrong him?!" Her blood boiled. She looked ready to smash the place up right then and there. Today was supposed to be a good day for Sophie Winslow to come out and relax, yet they had run into this foul luck!

Sophie glanced sideways, taking in the restaurant’s unusual atmosphere. No wonder. Romantic floral arrangements were scattered everywhere, broadcasting the excellent mood of the party’s host. If she stayed, it seemed she would only ruin the wonderful ambiance.

"Let’s go somewhere else." Sophie scanned the room, noting the obvious effort put into the decor. She patted Ivy’s shoulder, taking it all in stride. An ex-wife and an ex-husband at the same venue—what a joke. Besides, Lydia was coming too. There was no point in getting worked up over something so trivial.

Ivy understood this too. She flipped a middle finger toward the second floor before storming off to get the car.

Sophie waited by the entrance for a moment before turning to walk out of the alley. She ended up face-to-face with Julian Sterling and Stella Sutton, who were walking side by side. The two were chatting as they walked. Even though Stella was doing most of the talking, Julian listened attentively, his lips curving into an occasional smile. She actually managed to detect a hint of doting indulgence on his face.

Perhaps Sophie’s gaze was too obvious. He turned his eyes toward her, and their gazes unexpectedly locked. Julian stopped in his tracks, and Stella frowned.

"What a coincidence. But this restaurant isn’t receiving other guests today. Would you like to eat with us?" Stella offered, her expression smoothing over. Yet, that kind of invitation made it seem as if she and Julian were the true married couple, merely extending a polite gesture to a complete outsider.

A hint of mockery flashed in Sophie’s eyes. Why invite her? To watch Julian celebrate his return to bachelorhood? To listen to them loudly discuss when he and Stella would get married?

"No need. I’m not interested in picking from someone else’s plate; it’s nauseating. You can have it if you like it so much," Sophie’s tone was languid, devoid of any personal emotion.

Stella’s smile faltered. Was Sophie implying something? Calling her someone who ate leftovers? A metaphor for her and Julian?

Julian’s dark eyes fell upon Sophie’s face. Her sudden, veiled sarcasm had managed to insult both of them at once.

Sophie genuinely had no interest in chatting with them any further. They were divorced. There was no need to waste time on each other. She had to get going; Peter Preston had just messaged her that he and Lydia had already arrived at the entrance of the alley. She hadn’t told Peter about the restaurant yet.

She walked straight past the two of them, heading outward without sparing them a single extra glance.

Stella furrowed her brow. Sophie’s vulgar behavior and manners were clearly cultivated during those ten-odd years she was dumped in the countryside. No wonder she couldn’t win Julian’s heart, no matter how hard she tried. How many men would actually like a woman like that?

She hooked her arm through Julian’s, observing his expression. Once she was sure he wasn’t looking at Sophie anymore, she smiled gently. "Julian, go on inside first. I left my bag in the car."

"Alright." Julian looked up toward the interior of the restaurant.

***

The moment Sophie stepped out of the alleyway, she saw Lydia hop out of a car. The little girl’s face lit up as she dashed over, throwing her arms open. "Mommy!"

Sophie immediately crouched down, catching the little girl in a hug. "How about Mommy takes you to a different restaurant today? This one is fully booked." She stroked the little girl’s cheek, speaking in a negotiating tone.

Lydia looked into the alleyway with a hint of regret, but she nodded obediently. "That’s okay. We can just come back next time."

Sophie let out a sigh of relief.

Peter Preston checked his phone before walking over. Mindful of Lydia’s presence, he chose his words carefully. "Are they here?"

Ivy had just sent him a WhatsApp message. He had only just seen it.

Sophie nodded silently. Peter immediately felt a wave of disgust. He ruffled Lydia’s hair and began looking for another restaurant on his phone. Sophie stayed crouched, fixing Lydia’s hair.

Not far away, Julian stepped back out of the restaurant’s doors. He took a few steps and unexpectedly witnessed the scene.

Sophie was half-crouched in front of the little girl, patiently re-tying a small side braid. Her movements were gentle and practiced. She then adjusted the pale purple bucket hat on the child’s head, tilting her own face slightly to offer a tender, smiling cheek. Even from a distance, he could still clearly see the beautiful dimple on her cheek.

The little girl understood immediately, throwing her arms around Sophie’s neck and planting a big kiss on her cheek. They were bathed in the warm orange glow of the streetlamp. The scene was incredibly heartwarming.

Julian’s long legs came to an abrupt halt. His profound gaze lingered on Sophie’s face before slowly shifting to the little girl’s. Due to the distance, he couldn’t quite make out the child’s features beneath the hat. He could only see the rough outline of her side profile.

It seemed somewhat familiar.

Finn Lockwood happened to step outside for a smoke. Catching sight of the scene, he remarked in surprise, "Who knew Sophie Winslow had this side to her? I almost thought she gave birth to that kid herself. She’s practically radiating maternal glow."

In that moment, Finn realized that, looking at her objectively, Sophie’s beauty was truly striking. But then he shrugged with a chuckle. "Seems like she really loves kids. She’s probably still regretting not having one with you. She’s all over anyone else’s child. Other women are desperate to get married; she’s desperate to give birth?"

He also noticed Peter standing next to Sophie, watching her interact with the child with a smile. Finn frowned. "Why do they look like a family of three?"

Why was Peter looking at her with such indulgence?

"Whose kid is that?" Finn found the scene somewhat jarring. Had Sophie forgotten her place? What was she doing playing a family of three with another man and someone else’s kid to satisfy her own selfish desires? Didn’t she know how to avoid suspicion?

Julian’s pupils darkened slightly.

At that exact moment, the little girl seemed to sense his gaze. She turned her head and glanced in his direction. Just one glance, and Julian caught a clear view of that small face.

Memories instantly flooded his mind. That was the little kid who had bumped into him at the kindergarten a while ago...

Driven by some unknown impulse, his brows furrowed unconsciously. Subconsciously, he lifted his foot and began walking straight toward them.