Chapter 226: Malicious Intent!
"I just found out I was pregnant a few months after I moved out of town. When I planned to find you in the capital to share this news, I read in the newspaper that you had died—"
"What? News about my death?" James asked, puzzled.
His confusion began to fade as he remembered the incident. His adopted brother had died, but he never knew his parents had published an announcement about it in the newspaper.
"That’s why I’m confused. How could you come back to life?" Sophie replied.
"I’m sorry; I never mentioned that I have an adopted brother. That’s not me who died. He passed away a few months after you left. I was too busy searching for you to notice that my mother had announced it in the newspaper. Are you sure the name mentioned was mine?" he asked, still confused.
Sophie paused for a moment, then shook her head. "I can’t remember exactly, but I recall the article saying, ’Son of Jackson Philips...’"
"I believe that was my mother’s trick to make you think I was dead!" James sighed deeply. "I apologize for not mentioning my adopted brother, Sophie. If you had known the truth, you might not have assumed it was me."
"Well, if your mother wanted me to read that news, she succeeded. Since that day, I have buried your memory in my heart. I never spoke about you to anyone—not even our late daughter or Abby. I didn’t want them to face any trouble if I ever mentioned the Philips family."
"Alright, now everything is clear! Let’s register our marriage. I don’t want to lose you again, Sophie Lewis!"