Ex-Lover as My Divorce Lawyer? This Train Wreck Just Got Scorching! - Chapter 18: Chapter 18

With Christmas approaching and preparing for the long holiday, Sophia was swamped and couldn't pick up Mia daily, relying on Ms. Klein instead.
Each time she returned home after work, Mia was already sound asleep.
When Byron came to the studio again to discuss the case, Sophia had developed severe dark circles from staying up late.
Even while talking with him, she would occasionally lose focus.
"Ms. Reed, you look exhausted." Byron stopped typing and looked at her seriously.
Sophia came back to herself: "I'm sorry, where were we?"
"Perhaps you're not feeling well today. Why don't we supplement the materials another time?"
Byron glanced at the date, considerately adding: "The other party doesn't seem interested in settling out of court. The trial date after the Christmas gives us plenty of time, so don't worry about my preparation being insufficient."
Sophia rubbed her temples, suddenly asking: "How long will you be staying in Chicago, Mr. Shaw?"
"Once this case is over, I won't be at this branch office anymore."
He had only come for this specific assignment and would return to Manhattan afterward.
Hearing this, Sophia suddenly wondered if Ethan would also leave.
Before she could ask, Byron continued: "But Stellar's other partner will remain in Chicago. Ms. Reed, if you need legal advice in the future, you can always contact Stellar."
Sophia's suspense finally resolved—into death.
Since their elevator encounter, Ethan had forcefully entered her life, leaving her nowhere to hide.
Why did he insist on staying in Chicago?
"Aren't you all from Manhattan?"
After their interactions, Byron had realized Sophia and Ethan weren't complete strangers.
So when he spoke about Ethan, he was relatively transparent.
"Yes, but he's staying here for family reasons. Rest assured, regarding professional standards, Stellar is trustworthy."
Sophia forced a smile, changing the subject.
What kept Ethan in Chicago was none of her business.
"I look forward to our successful collaboration."
At the company entrance, Sophia shook hands with Byron and saw him off.
Returning to her office alone, she couldn't smile at all.
Ethan staying in Chicago for family meant that unless she actively changed Mia's school, Mia would share a kindergarten with Jamie for years.
She had selfishly chosen a fatherless life for Mia and couldn't bring any more potential harm to her daughter because of herself.
After the kindergarten's holiday began, Sophia had Ms. Klein bring Mia to the company.
When she was too busy, she could still see Mia.
On the day the company officially started its holiday, Sophia took Mia home after work.
Holding Mia in her arms, Sophia felt her heart heavy with mixed emotions.
"Mia, were you happy at kindergarten this semester?"
"Happy," Mia's childish voice was direct and lifted at the end.
Sophia hesitated before asking the difficult question: "Would it be okay if Mommy found you a different school?"
Mia hugged her neck tightly, her round eyes blinking as she tilted her head, not answering the question but asking one of her own.
"Does that mean we have to move houses too?"
Sophia felt ashamed under her daughter's water-filled eyes.
Such a small child, considering her mother's feelings, wisely asking if they would need to move.
She truly was an unqualified mother.
Sophia stroked her head: "If you don't want to move, we won't."
Mia rested her face on Sophia's shoulder, obediently saying: "Mia is so cute, all the classmates love Mia. Mia can make new friends anywhere."
Sophia squeezed her eyes shut, fighting back tears brought on by guilt.
"Mia is such a good girl."
During the holidays, Sophia's parents came from overseas to Chicago for a family reunion.
Mia hadn't seen her grandparents since she started talking, only chatting through video calls.
The moment they walked through the door, she had them wrapped around her finger.
Watching this, Sophia couldn't help feeling envious.
Her parents had career aspirations and had both gone abroad when she was very young, leaving her to grow up virtually alone in the U.S.
While never short on money, she lacked the companionship she needed.
Now seeing her parents so attached to Mia, she felt both happy and slightly resentful.
Mr. Reed was helping Mia play while Mrs. Reed joined Sophia in the dining room to set the table.
"It's a major holiday, and Nathan's parents don't even call you?" Mrs. Reed asked.
Sophia answered indifferently: "We're divorced. If they don't call, they don't call."
Mrs. Reed was about to say something more when Sophia called out: "Dad, Mia, time for dinner!"
Sophia placed Mia in her booster seat, prepared some food, and let her eat independently.
Mrs. Reed, seeing how casually Sophia treated Mia, stood up to sit beside her granddaughter and feed her.
Sophia quickly grabbed her mother's arm: "Eat your dinner first."
"She's so little! Look how messy her face is already."
"I know your grandmotherly love is overflowing, and I'm not saying you can't feed her. But can you please eat your own meal first?"
Sophia spoke firmly: "She has a small stomach and won't starve. Your food will get cold."
Mrs. Reed remained stubborn, so Sophia turned to Mia: "Mia, tell Grandma you can eat nicely by yourself, okay?"
With food stuck to her face, Mia nodded earnestly at Mrs. Reed: "Mia can eat by herself."
"You…"
Sophia ignored her, coaching Mia instead: "Good girl. Now tell Grandma 'Merry Christmas, please enjoy your dinner.'"
"Merry Christmas, Grandma! Please eat dinner!"
Sophia raised an eyebrow at Mrs. Reed: "Now can you please eat properly?"
Mrs. Reed reluctantly sat down and began eating quietly.
Sophia observed her parents' expressions and softly said: "I'm thinking of changing Mia's school."