Ex-Lover as My Divorce Lawyer? This Train Wreck Just Got Scorching! - Chapter 25: Chapter 25

Ethan truly didn't return. Sophia and her parents took turns caring for Mia for half a month before the doctor announced she could be discharged.
On the day of Mia's discharge, Jamie's mother came.
She didn't bring Jamie, saying she came to see Mia. Sophia sensed she wanted to speak privately.
So Sophia asked her parents to take Mia to the car first, while she sat with Jamie's mother in the hospital garden.
"I apologize for what happened to Mia on Jamie's behalf."
Jamie's mother's face was full of remorse, her body language showing nervousness.
Sophia chose to trust her daughter: "Mia said she fell on her own. I believe her, so it has nothing to do with Jamie."
"Actually..." Jamie's mother hesitated but continued, "When you said Mia was Ethan's child that day, I was shocked."
"I know I should do something, but I really don't know what I can do."
Sophia couldn't guess why she sought her out, so she pretended to be casual: "Mia told me everyone at kindergarten says she and Jamie look like twins. Jamie likes playing with her too—she gave Mia an expensive bracelet on their first meeting."
"When I had Mia, I didn't have the power to predict the future. I've tried to stay far away, and meeting Ethan again, including Jamie being in the same kindergarten, wasn't my intention. I couldn't control it."
"But saying all this is pointless now. I'll keep my distance from your lives after this, and you won't see me or my daughter again."
Sophia stood up, ready to leave the hospital.
But Jamie's mother called after her: "Ms. Reed, if you leave again, Ethan will be heartbroken."
Sophia realized she meant her plan to leave Chicago.
But she had no choice and was amazed by Jamie's mother's generosity.
"His heartbreak has nothing to do with me. I don't need to bear the consequences of his emotions."
She turned, the sun falling directly on her face, making her squint.
Jamie's mother spoke gently from behind: "Ethan loves you very much."
Sophia couldn't help but laugh bitterly: "Do you even believe that?"
Ten years ago, she might have believed it. But now, she only felt he had ulterior motives.
Sophia returned to the car without another word. Before she could speak, Mrs. Reed asked curiously: "What did she say to you?"
"Nothing important." Sophia brushed it off.
Starting the car, she added: "Mia's body has mostly recovered. Until we find a new school, she won't be attending classes."
"If you have other matters to attend to, you might as well head back to Paris."
Mrs. Reed was still holding Mia's hand, reluctant to let go: "Are you sure you don't need our help?"
Sophia felt inexplicably touched. Her parents had never shown reluctance to part with her.
But now, for the first time, they expressed such emotions because of her daughter.
"If you really can't bear it, just take Mia directly. What do you think?" she teased.
Mr. Reed suddenly interjected: "Can we really?"
Sophia couldn't help but laugh: "Of course I'm joking."
"Mia only stays with me. How could I let you take her away alone?"
The car fell silent for a few seconds before Mrs. Reed suddenly realized: "Are you saying... you and Mia will come with us to Paris?"
"Paris isn't home for me and Mia. I'm still considering it."
Actually, this indicated she was open to the idea. Mr. and Mrs. Reed were delighted.
After making that decision, Sophia kept trying to prep Mia for it.
But Mia rarely showed negative emotions around her—never once saying she didn't like something or didn't want to go.
Sophia still couldn't make up her mind.
When she told Liam, he was shocked too.
He'd been lounging lazily on the couch, but hearing this, he sat bolt upright: "Seriously? That's Paris we're talking about. A kid Mia's age moves there, she'll never come back."
Sophia shared those concerns—her parents had built their careers there and spent half their lives in Paris.
But she was more worried about staying put.
Sophia nodded. "Ethan knows Mia's his daughter now. He resents me—I'm scared he'll try to take her away."
The guy was a hotshot lawyer himself. She was afraid she'd lose in court.
She couldn't risk it.
"You mean what happened back then?" Liam looked confused. "He's known for ages that we were never a thing."
Sophia was stunned: "He knows? Since when?"
"After you left Manhattan. I ran into him once and told him everything. From his expression, he seemed pretty regret about it."
"Regret? He actually felt regret?"
Sophia muttered, unable to believe Ethan capable of regret.
He probably felt relieved she'd left Manhattan—that way, even when the truth came out, he wouldn't have to face her.
She never thought when she left Manhattan that they'd meet again in Chicago.
"I feel like you two still have a ton of unfinished business. If you just run off like this—unless you really never see each other again—next time you meet, it'll probably be the same mess."
"But if I don't take Mia away from here, where he has a family and another daughter, Mia will always be the illegitimate kid."
Sophia's chest tightened. It was all because of her that Mia had to carry this burden.
"I've already failed Mia enough. I can't let her suffer any more."
Liam stood up to hug her, but as he let go, something occurred to him.
"I was back in Manhattan recently and ran into Victoria. She looked totally single."
"Is Ethan really married?"