Chapter 4

I was born in a remote area. My parents didn't want me to go to school and wanted me to drop out and work to support my younger brother.

I refused, so my parents forcibly dragged me back home. It just so happened that Zachary's parents were conducting a charitable outreach activity and came to our mountain village.

Zachary got lost and accidentally saw me chained up in my family's cattle shed. In a moment of kindness, he saved me.

From that moment on, my heart was completely occupied by Zachary.

My life seemed to have light, a direction to move forward.

From then on, I became everyone's known lapdog for Zachary.

Later, I received sponsorship from the Harrison family. I successfully left the mountains and carved out a world of my own.

When I learned that Zachary had fallen into a life crisis after a breakup, I came to his side without hesitation.

Mrs. Harrison knew my background and identity, which was why she signed a five-year agreement with me.

As long as I could help her son regain control of the company and drive out the Harrison family's illegitimate child.

Mrs. Harrison would give me fifty million dollars and send me abroad to study.

I agreed to these terms, not only for my own future, but also for the hero who had appeared in my life as a child.

Later, although I never officially married Zachary, I did have a child with him.

And Mrs. Harrison seemed to care more and more about me, as if I really were the daughter-in-law of the Harrison family.

Mrs. Harrison even began to think I would marry Zachary and then carefully nurture their family's future heir.

Zachary also gradually changed from being cold to me at first to becoming doting.

I thought we would continue like this for a long, long time.

Until Autumn returned to the country.

Everything seemed to change.

Zachary gave all his care to Autumn.

Even the child I'd carried for ten months and given birth to began calling Autumn "Mom."

And I seemed out of place in this family, like an outsider.

Actually, the contract had long since expired. I was just clinging to that unrealistic beautiful dream in my heart.

Now the dream was over, and I should return to my own world.

In the evening, the father and son came home for once.

But the house was unusually cold and quiet today.

Zachary had always hated having too many strangers around, so the household chores were usually my responsibility.

No matter how late the father and son came home, there would always be a light left on for them, and the table would have a late-night meal prepared.

But today the house was pitch dark, and there were no sumptuous dishes on the table.

Seeing this scene, Zachary's heart suddenly seized. For some reason, a feeling of panic welled up in his chest.

Ethan pouted. "Dad, why isn't there any food today?"

Hearing this, Zachary frowned, patted Ethan's little head, and said gently, "It's okay. I'll have your mom make some right away."

"Sophia!"

Zachary called out, but the room answered him only with dead silence.

He strode quickly to my bedroom and raised his hand, pounding heavily on the door.

Seeing that the door was locked from inside, he seemed to relax and let out a sigh of relief.

"Sophia, are you in there?!"

Zachary's voice had clearly softened a few degrees.