Their Queen's Back - Chapter 18: Chapter 18

Sophia's face lit up with joy as she gazed at the brand-new room. "Skye," she beamed, "how did you know blue is my favorite color?"
Skye playfully pinched her cheek and teased, "Take a guess! Get it right and we'll have hot pot tonight."
At the mention of hot pot, Sophia's eyes instantly lit up. She bounced after Skye, her voice dripping with sweet coquetry.
"Sis, sissy~ I know you dote on me the most!"
For a moment, Skye felt as if she were seeing that little girl from ten years ago—the one who used to trail after her everywhere. Her features relaxed, a faint smile dancing in her eyes.
Her beauty in that instant was so captivating that even Sophia found herself momentarily dazed.
Sophia pouted her rosy lips, her large almond-shaped eyes filled with innocent longing, and her fair little cheeks adorably puffed out.
She was the epitome of a delicate, pure-hearted maiden—so heartbreakingly sweet that her tears could melt even the coldest heart.
"Alright, I'll take you out for dinner tonight," Skye said.
"You're the best sister ever!" Sophia snuggled up to her affectionately, just like a little kitten.
When Sophia was little, nothing made her happier than wandering the night market to try all sorts of snacks—but Skye wouldn't allow it.
She insisted those were just junk food and would have the family chef whip up homemade versions for her instead.
But Sophia still sneaked out for street food. One time, Skye caught her red-handed, and when Sophia talked back, she ended up in the hospital that very night.
After that, Skye kept a much tighter watch—Sophia couldn't find any loopholes anymore.
Ever since Skye left, Sophia never returned to that night market.
Actually, as one of Capital City's night markets, it had strict quality control over the food.
Skye had two reasons for restricting her outings: first, she didn't want her eating junk food; second, the Hughes Group was in a turbulent situation, with their mother locked in a bitter conflict with an archenemy.
Skye feared Sophia might be kidnapped and used as a bargaining chip against their mother.
"Skye, it smells amazing here!" Sophia exclaimed excitedly.
Skye gave a faint smile. Her statuesque figure and breathtaking beauty drew all eyes the moment she appeared.
"Sophia," Skye said gently, "I know you're not ill, just shaken. But how about we still go to the hospital for a check-up? I'll go with you."
Sophia froze for a moment. "So she's already noticed something's off with me," she thought in surprise.
Skye thought Sophia would refuse, musing, "Maybe I'm rushing things. Better take it step by step."
To her surprise, Sophia agreed without hesitation.
"Okay, I'll do whatever you say, Sis," she replied.
"Mm." Skye truly wanted what was best for Sophia. She wondered what her other two sisters were up to—according to Richard, they were both boarding at school. She made a mental note to find a time to bring them all home.
"Sophia, are Emily and the others boarding at school?"
When Skye asked about them, Sophia froze. Her expression stiffened, and unease flickered in her eyes. She didn't know how to answer.
Ever since Sophia left, she and her sisters had completely fallen out. After she left home seven years ago, they cut off all contact. Whenever they happened to meet, they would only exchange harsh words, treating each other like enemies.
Over time, the distance between them only grew. They stopped contacting each other, became complete strangers—so much so that they almost forgot they were ever family.
"But then it hit me—if Skye finds them, she'll start to pull away from me." A wave of obsessive emotion burst forth in my heart. "I can't let her attention go to anyone else."
"They don't even deserve it."
"Especially Emily Hughes—she's nothing but a traitor! A traitor! Running after strangers and calling them 'sister'... How pathetic."
"What's wrong, Sophia?" Skye asked gently.
Sophia snapped back to reality, shook her head, and said, "It's nothing, Sis. This beef is so tender—come on, try some!"
How could I not notice Sophia's deliberate avoidance? Their relationship must be strained.
Ah, looks like I'll just have to take it step by step.
"Sis, let's go to the hospital!" Sophia suggested eagerly.
Skye nodded with a gentle smile. "Alright, let's go."
After recovering her memories, Skye tracked down and contacted her old classmates and friends one by one. She asked Sophia to wait for a bit while she made a call, and Sophia obediently took a seat, her hands folded primly in her lap as she waited.
Sophia heard about Felix Rivers, the most renowned psychiatrist in Capital City. Earlier, when Skye asked the nurse if he would be in tonight, the nurse replied that an appointment was required.
"Sophia! So it really is you."
Sophia looked up to see Lily standing before her in a hospital gown—a frail figure with a heart-shaped face, sharp features twisted into a mean expression, and a sickly pale complexion.
She was the unforgettable first love Matthew could never let go of—the one he could never forget. Every month, Sophia had to donate blood to her.
For over a year, no matter how anemic or unwell she felt, even if she had to take leave or skip work, she would make this hospital pilgrimage without fail.
Lily's eyes flashed with envy as she took in Sophia's designer outfit and delicate, doll-like beauty.
But then it hit her—Sophia was just a stand-in for her. Instantly, a surge of smug satisfaction replaced the jealousy.
"Sophia, did Matthew bring you here? You haven't had your blood drawn this month yet, have you? Go now—I'll let it slide that you're a few days late."
Sophia shot her a withering look that screamed "moron," then coldly turned away without another glance.
Seeing Sophia ignore her, Lily was livid. "Sophia!" she shrieked. "I'm talking to you! Are you deaf or what?"
"Get lost!" Sophia spat out icily, the single word dripping with disdain.
"You! Sophia, how dare you talk to me like that? You've got a death wish!" Lily threatened. "Just wait till I tell Matthew about this!"
Sophia stood up, her two-inch heels making her noticeably taller than Lily. She met Lily's cold, indifferent gaze head-on.
Lily froze for a moment. The face before her was the same, yet somehow fundamentally different—this cold, self-assured woman was nothing like the timid Sophia she used to know.
The old Sophia had been insecure and timid, always wishy-washy. It was only her innocent doe-eyed look that had initially caught Matthew's attention.
Sophia said coldly, "Run along now, Lily. Matthew and I have broken up—didn't he tell you?"
Lily's face stiffened in shock. Seeing her stunned expression, Sophia sneered, "So he didn't tell you. Guess your so-called 'unforgettable first love' doesn't mean much to him after all."
Lily's face turned livid as she glared at Sophia, her eyes blazing with jealousy and hatred. "You!"
Lily sneered, "Sophia, what are you so smug about? Matthew dumped you!"
Sophia smirked, her gaze sweeping over her like she was sizing up a clown.
"You're right, I'm smug—but it's not that Matthew dumped me. I was the one who tossed out that trash. That worthless scum? I wouldn't take him even if he were free."
"You're lying! You're just jealous of me, Sophia!" snapped Lily.
Sophia burst into laughter, covering her mouth as she gave her a once-over, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Jealous of you?" she scoffed. "What on earth would I be jealous of? That you're uglier than me, or that no matter what tricks you try, the Quinns still want nothing to do with you?"
"I'm shaking with rage. Damn that Sophia! How dare she—how dare she humiliate me like this!"
Lily glared at her and spat, "Sophia, just you wait! I'll make you pay—you'll be kneeling before me!"
"Not even at your funeral would I kneel to you," Sophia shot back coldly.
"You, you, you!" Lily seethed, stomping back to her hospital room in a huff. The moment she got inside, she frantically dialed Matthew—only for him to ignore her call. Furious, she nearly hurled her phone across the room.
On the other side, Matthew was out drinking with friends. For the first time, Sophia hadn't reached out to him—not even a single message.
Irritated, he couldn't be bothered to answer Lily's call. Seeing her name flash on the screen, he tossed his phone aside without a second thought.
Hey Matthew, what's up with you? Did you really call off the engagement with Sophia?