Once His Wife, Now His Rival

Chapter 4

Sophia woke up with a burst of excitement in her stomach. Her eyes shot open as Daniel’s words from earlier danced in her mind. “Really?” she asked, almost afraid he would take it back.

“Yes, really,” Daniel said, his tone calm but steady.

Sophia grinned, unable to contain herself. “Then why didn’t Clara tell me herself?”

“It just got finalized. She didn’t even know yet,” Daniel replied, a small smile tugging at his lips.

Sophia laughed and clapped her hands. “Let’s keep it a secret from Clara! We’ll surprise her when we get back to the country!”

Daniel chuckled softly. “Alright, that’s our plan.”

“You’re the best, Dad! I love you so much!” Sophia squealed, spinning around her room, laughter spilling from her like sunlight. For a few moments, nothing existed beyond her happiness.

But then, as the laughter faded, a thought crept in—her mother. Kimberly. For the past few days, Sophia had deliberately avoided calls from her, even going so far as to leave her phone across the room or turn it off. She hadn’t wanted to speak to her mother. It had been easier to pretend she didn’t hear the calls, to enjoy the freedom of a few quiet days.

Now, though, worry mingled with longing. What if her mother had been upset? Would Kimberly be angry that Sophia had ignored her? Memories of past scoldings and tender lectures ran through her mind. She knew her mother, even when hurt, never sulked silently. She acted, addressed, and corrected.

With a sudden pang of longing, Sophia realized how much she missed her mother. Impulsively, she grabbed her phone and dialed Kimberly’s number.

The phone rang once… twice… then cut off. Her chest tightened. Why had it ended? Was Kimberly already asleep? Had something happened?

Across the world, Kimberly’s phone lit up, stirring her from a deep sleep. Seeing Sophia’s name, her heart leapt. She reached for the call—then the line went dead.

A shiver of anxiety ran through her. Even though she had already signed the divorce papers and relinquished custody, the pull of being a mother was too strong to ignore. She immediately called back. Silence.

Determined, she tried the villa’s landline. Evelyn answered quickly, her voice calm. “Ms. Forester is fine,” she reassured. “She stayed up late last night and woke up late today. I’ll check on her and call you back.”

Relief washed over Kimberly in small waves, but sleep no longer felt near. She knew she wouldn’t rest until she had certainty that Sophia was truly okay.

Upstairs, Evelyn found Sophia brushing her teeth. “Your mother was worried when you didn’t answer,” she said softly. Sophia lowered her gaze and muttered, “I pressed the wrong button.” Evelyn accepted it without question and returned downstairs to update Kimberly that everything was fine.

Hearing Evelyn’s reassurance, Kimberly allowed herself a moment of calm, though her mind continued to spin. She tried to sleep again, but the quiet of the apartment seemed heavy, her thoughts circling Sophia and the past she had left behind.

Meanwhile, back at the villa, the divorce envelope Kimberly had left remained untouched in a drawer. Daniel hadn’t even glanced at it.

A few days later, the Lincoln limousine glided smoothly down the driveway, carrying Daniel and Sophia back to the country. As Daniel carried his daughter into the villa, his eyes drifted toward the master bedroom. Dark. Empty. Kimberly was gone.

Peter Hawk, the butler, approached with the luggage. “Is she here?” Daniel asked casually.

“She’s on a business trip,” Peter replied.

Daniel gave a nod, loosening his tie. Over two weeks had passed since Kimberly had moved out. Her absence was noted, but it required no comment. “Alright,” he murmured, and no further questions followed.

Half a month passed. Kimberly gradually settled into the rhythm of her new life. She had grown used to the calm and quiet of living alone. On a weekend morning, she awoke naturally to sunlight streaming through the curtains. Stretching, she tended to her small indoor garden, watered the plants, and began to make a simple breakfast.

A knock at the door startled her. It was Rose Emery, a neighbor from across the street, carrying a tray of fresh pastries.

“Ms. Santos, I hope I’m not intruding,” Rose said warmly.

“Not at all,” Kimberly replied with a genuine smile.

“These just came out of the oven this morning,” Rose said, setting the tray down. “After what you did for Sharon, we’ve been meaning to thank you properly. My husband and I just finally found a quiet moment.”

Kimberly shook her head. “It was nothing, truly. Don’t mention it.”

After Rose left, Kimberly returned to her breakfast, enjoying the quiet while reviewing the AI algorithms she had been researching. Her mind drifted, thinking of possibilities and plans she had shelved for years.

Later, a notification appeared on her phone about Trevor College’s centennial celebration. She paused, reading the date, realizing it marked the hundredth anniversary of her alma mater. Photos of distinguished alumni flashed across the screen. Some faces stirred memories of her youth, accomplishments, and the life she might have had if she hadn’t married immediately after graduation. A pang of regret brushed her heart, but she pushed it aside, replaced by resolve.

By evening, she drove to the college. The campus buzzed with life, though many guests had already departed. Kimberly wandered, letting memories pull her toward the familiar lab building, every step heavy with nostalgia.

A familiar voice called out. “Kim?”

She turned to see Matthew Voder, an old friend and colleague from her college days. Twenty minutes later, they sat in a nearby café, coffee warming their hands.

“How have you been?” Matthew asked, his gaze steady, caring.

Kimberly looked down at her cup. “I’m… doing well. It’s just… I’m preparing for a divorce.”

Matthew’s brow furrowed slightly, surprise and sympathy crossing his face. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“It’s okay,” Kimberly said softly. “I’m thinking about returning to the company, but…” She trailed off.

Matthew leaned forward, and earnestly stated. “Kim, you’re needed. Your talent, your vision—they belong there. Don’t step away again.”

Kimberly hesitated, weighing the years lost and the changes that had happened while she was away. “I want to go back,” she admitted quietly, “but the AI field has moved so fast. I’ve been out for six years… What if I can’t keep up? What if I can’t lead anymore?”

Matthew studied her, seeing the conflict in her eyes. “Time changes everything,” he said gently, “but it doesn’t erase what you can do. You just have to start again.”

Kimberly sipped her coffee, letting the warmth seep in. For the first time in a long while, she felt a flicker of possibility. The past—the marriage, the sacrifices, the years lost—was behind her. Ahead lay choices, opportunities, and perhaps, finally, the chance to reclaim her life.