Chapter 78: When Hearts Begin to Stir
Sophia’s fingers traced the edge of her laptop screen as her eyes lingered on the files open before her.
She was investigating Devin Scott.
Every move he made seemed deliberate—too deliberate.
The sharp ring of her phone snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Hello? Uncle?"
She frowned slightly. "You’re coming back home? That’s not necessary. I can handle things on my own."
After a pause, she added, her tone firm and focused, "Uncle Marcus, help me dig into someone. Devin Scott, the eldest son of the Scott family in City A. I want everything on him."
The call ended quickly.
Marcus was loyal—too loyal—and if he was already worried enough to offer help, things might soon get serious.
A few minutes later, her phone buzzed again.
"Sophia, my little star! Your new album drops tomorrow. This is it! Make-or-break time!"
The excitement on the other end made her smile. "Got it."
That night, her name hit the trending charts—
#AprilIsBack
#MysteriousComposerAprilReleasesNewAlbum
Her online following skyrocketed past a million overnight, heading toward ten.
For most people, that kind of success was a dream.
When Lucas came out of his study, he found her slumped on the couch with a sigh, staring at her screen like someone with too many secrets.
"You look troubled," he remarked.
"Troubled?" She glanced up with an innocent smile. "Not at all. I’m just studying your parenting book—How to Be a Good Father."
She flipped the book in her hand and teased, "Maybe I’ll write a sequel someday. How to Be a Good Mother."
The tips of Lucas’s ears turned a shade of red she almost didn’t notice.
"Give that to me," he said gruffly. "I’m throwing it out tomorrow."
"Why? It’s actually very educational!"
Her playful tone made him tense.
"Sophia." He extended a hand, voice low.
When she didn’t comply, he moved suddenly, trying to grab the book—
But she was quicker.
"You’re getting all worked up," she laughed. "Embarrassed much?"
"Sophia, you’re testing my patience."
She tilted her head, her smirk taunting, eyes gleaming with mischief.
"You’re playing with fire." His voice dropped, rough and magnetic.
In a heartbeat, he leaned forward—catching her off guard—and snatched the book from her hands.
But then—he didn’t move away.
Her perfume, the warmth of her breath, her face only inches from his—
He froze. His skin flushed. His pulse betrayed him.
Sophia’s eyes widened. Her voice came out low and hoarse. "Get off me."
"Sophia."
"What?"
"We’re married."
"Contract married," she corrected sharply.
"Sophia."
"Lucas, what’s wrong with you? What are you trying to—"
"—Do you."
She blinked, stunned, just as Lucas tossed the book aside—and it hit the light switch.
Darkness swallowed the room.
...
The Next Morning
The door creaked open.
First came Faye’s little head... then five more heads stacked on top of hers like curious dominos.
The bed was a mess. Sophia was fast asleep, tangled in the sheets—Lucas was nowhere in sight.
"Angela," Faye whispered, "Mommy’s sleeping so soundly. Should we wake her up?"
Angela frowned, arms folded like a miniature adult.
"She looks exhausted," she murmured. "Let’s let her rest. But..." she sighed softly, "grown-up relationships are way too complicated for me to understand."
The six of them exchanged confused glances.
"Do you think Mommy likes Daddy now?" Charles asked.
Angela’s expression turned serious. "I’m not sure. But... it kind of seems like she already does. And Daddy might, too."
She gave one last look toward the sleeping Sophia and shook her head with a little sigh.
"Adults," she muttered, "are so complicated."
"Wow! Mommy’s new song just dropped—it’s already hit seven million sales!"
In just ten minutes, it had exploded past seven million.
Sophia had always thought her secret identity as the composer April was perfectly hidden, but apparently, her kids were far too smart for that.
Billy leaned back casually, arms crossed like a tiny businessman. "I’ve got some spare cash. If I boost Mommy’s numbers a little, we’ll hit number one in no time."
Charles immediately shook his head. "No need. Mommy doesn’t need help—she’s got real talent."
He turned the tablet around to show the latest stats. "Look—sales just passed ten million."
Billy grinned. "Then we’re good. I’ll keep monitoring the Morgan family instead. I noticed all of Olivia’s credit cards have been frozen."
Billy kept a close eye on the Morgan Family, aware of every little movement.
However, there was a bug downstairs.
Ethan had secretly left it there, so they could only retaliate in kind.
...
When Sophia finally woke up, the sun was already high in the sky.
Her hand reached across the bed instinctively—cold sheets. Lucas had been gone for hours.
For a moment, her eyes looked dazed.
Then it hit her.
Memories from last night flooded back—her pulse raced.
"Oh my god..." she gasped, pulling the blanket over her head.
What have I done?
Beauty is dangerous. And apparently, so is Lucas.
"Damn it," she muttered into the pillow. "He actually seduced me. That shameless man!"
She sat up, hair a tangled mess, and tried to talk herself down.
"You’re an adult, Sophia. A mature, independent woman. Just... pretend you got bitten by a dog. Move on."
When she finally climbed out of bed, she noticed everything had been cleaned—the sheets replaced, the room spotless.
He even did laundry. Unbelievable.
Sophia caught sight of herself in the mirror, cheeks flushing as she spotted the faint marks on her neck.
"Great. Just great."
She grabbed a high-neck blouse to cover them up and muttered Lucas’s name again—every syllable dripping with mock fury.
...
Downstairs, soft music drifted through the air.
Her music.
"Mommy, you’re awake!" Faye squealed.
"Good morning, my loves. What are you all listening to?"
"It’s by a mysterious composer named April! Her album’s out now—it’s already sold over thirty million copies!"
"Thirty million?" Sophia blinked. "In one hour?"
She glanced at the trending page—her alias April dominated every platform.
Fans were flooding social media, desperately guessing who she was.
"So," she asked, trying to sound casual, "what do you think of the song?"
"It’s amazing!" Charles said immediately. "Mommy, I’m in awe. The melody is beautiful, the lyrics have real depth, and that key change near the end—perfection!"
Sophia couldn’t help laughing. "You think it’s that good?"
"Of course! We’re unanimous—perfect!"
They exchanged knowing looks.
Mommy might think she’d fooled them, but her little geniuses knew exactly who April was.
Charles grinned up at her, his flattery precise and deliberate.
Sophia shook her head in amusement—then her phone rang.
She assumed it was someone calling to congratulate her, but when she looked at the screen, it said LT Entertainment.
"Hello?"
"Sophia," Howard’s voice came through, buzzing with excitement. "You struck gold this time. You’d better come take a look."
She frowned. "Gold?"
She’d only recruited one person lately—who’d once stolen her tire, Leon.
Judging by Howard’s tone, that gamble had paid off.
"Send me the address," she said. "I’ll be right there."
When she arrived, Leon was in the middle of a routine—fluid, powerful, graceful.
He might not have formal dance training, but his natural control and stage presence were undeniable.
Sophia watched in silence, her eyes softening with approval.
Howard hesitated beside her, clearing his throat. "Sophia... there’s something you should know."
She turned to him. "What is it?"
"I’ve been tracking JL Entertainment’s data. They’re investing heavily in a new artist. And, well... you know her."
Her brows knit. "I know her? Who?"
He met her gaze carefully.
"Olivia."
Sophia froze.