One afternoon, the Lin family arrived unannounced at the Yan Residence. The moment she saw them step through the grand doorway—her father George, her stepmother, and Amelia—Sophie felt no joy but discomfort, and a tightening in her chest.
She remained seated beside Leonard in the drawing room, her posture poised but guarded, while Grandpa Yan and Madam Yan sat across from them in thoughtful silence.
She knew exactly why they had come. The Lin family had never treated her like a true family. To them, she had always been the quiet, unwanted daughter—useful only when they needed something.
And now, with news of Leonard's recovery and the growing strength of the Yan's Group spreading through elite circles, they came with smiles and insincere concern. But their intent was clear. Opportunism cloaked in family ties.
Amelia Lin, dressed in designer silk and fake grace, didn't even look at Sophie. Her eyes went straight to Leonard—and her expression changed instantly.
First shock, then disbelief, and finally, clear jealousy. This wasn't the man she had once mocked and rejected. Leonard now stood tall beside Sophie, calm and confident. He was powerful, respected, and strikingly handsome—everything Amelia had once wanted in a husband.
Regret flashed across her face, and before anyone could react, she stepped forward, her voice suddenly soft, her lashes fluttering like she was acting out a romantic drama.
"Leonard," she began, deliberately using his name with familiarity, her voice sickly sweet, "now that you're better, I need to tell you something important…"
Sophie's spine stiffened. She didn't need to hear the rest to know where this was going. Her hands curled slightly in her lap, her expression composed but wary.
She'd seen this act before—Amelia using her charm, her carefully crafted innocence. And though she hadn't spoken yet, Sophie could feel Leonard's hand slide gently over hers beneath the table, his grip warm, steady, and protective.
"The truth is…" Amelia began, letting out an exaggerated sigh as she delicately placed a hand over her heart, her eyes shimmering with feigned vulnerability, "I was supposed to be your wife, Leonard. I don't know why Sophie insisted on taking you away from me." Her voice trembled just enough to appear sincere as she stepped closer, locking her gaze on him with a pleading expression.
"She only married you because of your family's wealth. But I… I'm the rightful daughter of the Lin family. I'm the one who should've become Mrs. Yan. You've been tricked!" Her words glided through the room.
Sophie sat frozen for a moment, her fingers curling into fists in her lap, her breath catching in her chest. So this was Amelia's game. Now that she saw Leonard was normal again and she wanted him back.
But before Sophie could utter a single word, Leonard's voice sliced through the tension in the room like a blade.
"Sophie and I are legally married," he said, his tone cold, clipped, and dangerously calm. "She is already Mrs. Yan. That is the only truth that matters."
His eyes stayed steady, his voice calm and firm. There was no room for argument. Amelia's smile faltered under the sting of his rejection, but she pushed on, her tone still sweet but strained. "Leonard," she said, "can't you see? You're being used—"
But Sophie had heard enough. She stood up, eyes blazing, and faced her sister head-on.
"Amelia, no one forced you to walk away from Leonard. That was your choice. You gave up your place the moment you chose pride over commitment," she said, voice shaking with anger but steady in conviction. "So don't act like someone stole what you threw away."
Leonard's face turned cold as he looked at Amelia. "And I remember how you treated me at the mall," he said, his tone icy. "Mocking me. Standing next to Ryan Xie like I didn't matter." The room went quiet. Amelia's face turned pale.
With one last angry glare, Amelia snapped, "Sophie Lin, just you wait!" and stormed out of the Yan estate, her heels echoing loudly on the marble floor as their parents hurried after her in awkward silence.
When the front doors closed behind them, Sophie let out a slow breath, her shoulders relaxing as the tension finally passed. Looking down, her voice softened. "I'm sorry you had to see that…"
"Grandfather, Mother… I'm sorry for letting you witness that embarrassing scene," Sophie said quietly, her voice laced with guilt as she lowered her eyes.
Grandfather Yan shook his head with surprising firmness. "Sophie, there's no need for you to apologize," he said, his voice steady and unwavering. "It was your sister who turned her back on the arrangement, not you. You've done nothing wrong. None of this is your fault."
Madam Yan nodded beside him, her expression softening with genuine affection as she stepped forward and gently placed a hand on Sophie's shoulder. "In fact," she said with warmth in her tone, "after seeing Amelia's behavior today, I'm even more thankful that it was you who married Leonard. Her arrogance and selfishness—she could never be a proper daughter-in-law of the Yan family. She doesn't have the heart for it." Her words were neither harsh nor exaggerated, they were honest, spoken like a mother who had long since made up her mind.
Leonard's hand was still holding tightly to Sophie. "Sophie," he said, his voice low and calm, "it's over now. Don't think about them anymore. If they ever try to trouble you again, I will protect you. Always." His words, simple yet resolute, sent a rush of warmth through Sophie's chest.
Sophie looked at the people around her—Leonard holding her hand so naturally, Madam Yan with kind, sincere eyes, and Grandfather Yan, who had always treated her like family.
In that quiet moment, she realized something deeply comforting—she finally belonged. For the first time, she had a real home and a family who truly cared for and accepted her. The love and safety she had longed for since childhood were here.
Her eyes misted as she whispered, "Thank you… all of you." She told herself Thant whatever Amelia might do next no longer mattered. Sophie wasn't alone anymore. She had love, strength, and the Yan family by her side.
Meanwhile, back at the Lin Residence, Amelia stormed across the marble floors of the living room, her heels clicking sharply with every furious step.
Her usual calm was gone, replaced by anger and disbelief. Hands shaking, she turned again, her face twisted with frustration. "How… how did this happen?" she muttered. "How did Sophie—the unwanted, illegitimate daughter—end up married to Leonard Yan?"
"It should've been me," she said through clenched teeth. "If I had just agreed to the engagement… everything would've been mine."
She still remembered the moment she rejected the engagement, brushing it off like it meant nothing.
At the time, she believed Ryan Xie was the smarter choice—young, charismatic, and socially influential. But now, seeing the man Leonard had become, Ryan didn't even come close.
Amelia clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms. "Mom! Dad! You have to help me!" she suddenly cried, turning to her parents in a panic. "We can't let Sophie win! I won't let her look down on me!"
George Lin let out a weary sigh, rubbing his temple. "Amelia, we told you to consider marrying Leonard. You refused. That was your decision." Madam Lin shook her head with a frown. "You said you loved Ryan. You called Leonard a burden."
Amelia scoffed, frustration spilling over. "That was before! I didn't know Leonard would become this powerful! He's running big companies now with the full support of the Yan family. He should've been mine!" Her voice turned sharp.
"And Sophie? That quiet, ordinary girl? She doesn't deserve him. She probably tricked him when he was still vulnerable—married him before he realized what was happening!"
George let out another sigh, clearly losing patience. "That's enough, Amelia. Sophie and Leonard are already married. What's done is done. And if you keep this up, you're going to lose Ryan too."
But Amelia didn't listen. Her eyes blazed, her chest rising with fury. "I won't let this go," she snapped, her voice loud and shaking.
"I hate her. She took everything that should've been mine. She doesn't belong in that house. I don't care what it takes—I'll ruin that marriage. I'll make Leonard see the truth. I'll make Sophie regret ever thinking she could take my place." Her words hung heavy in the air, sharp with spite.