Chapter 349

Sophia stepped out of the car and walked alone into the park to pick up Lily. She spotted her daughter waving goodbye to a girl of similar height. "Emily, see you tomorrow!"

The little girl named Emily was being led away by her mother.

When Lily noticed Sophia approaching, she immediately dashed toward her, calling out excitedly, "Emily, look! My mommy is here too!"

Sophia quickened her pace, reaching Lily just as Emily and her mother passed by.

With a polite smile, Sophia greeted them. "Hello."

Emily glanced up at Sophia, her voice sweet. "Hi, Auntie! Lily and I are best friends!"

Before the words fully settled, Emily’s mother yanked her daughter away, hissing under her breath, "Don’t associate with people like them. Her mother looks like she crawled out of some backwater town. Disgraceful!"

Sophia froze.

Lily blinked in confusion.

After a beat, Sophia gently took Lily’s hand, her voice warm. "Come on, sweetheart. Let’s go home."

Lily’s small fingers tightened around hers. "Mommy, you’re the prettiest mommy in my whole class. Do you not have money to buy nice clothes?"

Sophia’s throat tightened.

How could she explain?

Lily, oblivious to her mother’s struggles, chirped, "I know how to make you even prettier than Emily’s mommy!"

Sophia arched a brow. "Oh? What’s your plan?"

"It’s a secret!" Lily giggled, eyes twinkling mischievously. Sophia sighed in amusement.

Her daughter was impossible.

They reached Ethan’s car, where Nathan already held the door open. The moment Lily climbed in, she pointed at Ethan. "Stinky Daddy! If you don’t want me to call you that, you have to promise me something!"

Sophia groaned. "Lily!"

Ethan regarded his daughter coolly. "Name it."

"Buy Mommy a mountain of beautiful dresses! So she can wear them and be the prettiest!" Lily declared, puffing her cheeks.

Sophia flushed. "I—I didn’t put her up to this."

Ignoring her, Ethan lifted Lily onto his lap. "You think Mommy’s clothes are ugly too, don’t you?"

Lily nodded solemnly.

Sophia buried her face in her hands.

"So when will you buy them?" Lily pressed.

Ethan smirked. "Depends. Finish your dinner tonight, and we’ll see."

"Pinky promise!" Lily hooked her tiny finger around his.

Sophia watched, dazed, as the two conspired.

The entire ride home, she observed their playful banter, feeling like an outsider in their little world.

Half an hour later, the car pulled up to their building. As Sophia stepped out, two uniformed women approached.

"Mr. Blackwood," they greeted respectfully. "All the designer pieces you ordered for your wife have arrived."

Sophia gaped. "Excuse me?"

Unbeknownst to her, Ethan had noticed her outdated wardrobe that morning. By noon, he’d summoned his personal shopper, resulting in four racks of haute couture now being unloaded.

Sophia stood frozen as the staff carried in garment bags upon garment bags.

Lily, however, buzzed around like an excited hummingbird. "Mommy! Look at all these pretty dresses! Now no one can say you’re not fancy!"

Sophia’s chest ached. Back in Willowbrook County, she’d never owned anything close to this.

Once the delivery team left, Sophia surveyed the overflowing closet, emotions swirling.

Was this happiness?

Ethan’s treatment of her had shifted dramatically since their return from Willowbrook—undoubtedly because of Lily.

A mother’s status rose with her child’s.

Logically, Sophia should’ve felt grateful.

But as she watched Ethan play with Lily in the toy room, her thoughts drifted to Noah.

Where was he now?

These days, Ethan came home religiously for dinner, spending evenings entertaining Lily. What had begun as reluctant tolerance had blossomed into genuine affection.

Sophia observed from the doorway, heart twisting.

Who wouldn’t crave this? A loving family, a doting father for their child?

She was no exception.

"Daddy Meanie!" Lily’s voice snapped her back. "I can’t put this together! If you help me, I won’t call you that anymore!"

Ethan crossed his arms. "No."

Lily pouted. "I’ll make a deal! Help me, and I’ll stop forever!"

"Three hours ago, you promised the same if I bought Mommy clothes," Ethan countered. "Breaking deals already?"

Lily huffed. "That doesn’t count!"

"Why not?"

"Because you were gonna buy them anyway! So it wasn’t a real promise!"

Ethan stared.

Sophia muffled a laugh.

The apple didn’t fall far. His daughter had inherited his infuriating logic.