Chapter 50
Sonya clenched her fists as she stared at Julian Jennings’s smug face, but she relaxed them after a moment. “What reaction are you hoping for? Tears? Pleading? Regret for not becoming your mistress?”
Sonya shook her head. “None of that works, does it?”
Julian Jennings gritted his teeth. “We just broke up, and you married someone else. Didn’t you love me? Eight years—that’s your kind of love?”
“Julian Jennings, are you crazy? You can marry Seraphina, but I can’t marry someone else?”
“I haven’t agreed!” he snapped.
“Who do you think you are? Why would I need your permission?!”
Julian sneered. “You never really loved me, did you? For eight years, you probably wanted to break up with me the whole time. Maybe you were already looking for someone else. Oh, right, Henry—were you two already hooking up?”
“You think Henry married you because he loves you? He married you to show off! He always has to be better than me. But this time, he’s wrong. He thinks marrying you makes him superior, but you’re just trash he doesn’t want anymore!”
“Julian Jennings, listen to yourself,” Sonya said, speechless. “Isn’t this ridiculous? Don’t you realize you’re a joke?”
Julian glared at her. “You wronged me, and I’ll make you regret it!”
Sonya couldn’t comprehend his logic anymore. She turned and walked away, ignoring him completely.
Once inside her bedroom, Sonya called her aunt.
The signal was bad, but her aunt’s voice crackled through. “Sonya, don’t worry! We’re on an island with Grandma Reynolds. We’ve found tons of seafood on the beach. Quick, grab that big crab!”
Grandma Reynolds’s voice came through next: “I’m old, don’t boss me around!”
“You were pretty spry stealing my corn!” her aunt teased.
“When did I steal your corn? I just tasted it!”
“I’ll taste your peanuts later!”
“No way! I’m selling those!”
After the banter, Grandma Reynolds took the phone.
“Sonya, don’t worry about your aunt and uncle. They’re having fun with me. Everything’s fine.”
“Thank you, Grandma,” Sonya said, feeling grateful.
“Don’t mention it. We’re family. Henry can be a bit of a jerk, though. If you ever need anything, just let me know, and I’ll take care of him.”
Sonya laughed. “I have Grandma as my backup. I’m not afraid of him!”
“That’s right!” Grandma Reynolds said. “We’re not afraid of anyone!”
Ashley’s voice came through next. “Sonya, check the trending topics. Everyone’s waiting for Seraphina to get her comeuppance!”
Sonya went online, and sure enough, the trending topic read: Waiting for Seraphina to get slapped.
It was a reference to Seraphina’s statement after her fans had vandalized Sonya’s house. The video showed Seraphina promising to slap herself if Sonya married at SeaCloud Castle, a claim that many had witnessed—mainly Seraphina’s loyal fans who wouldn’t betray her.
Sonya texted Ashley: “Did you post this?”
Ashley replied with a sweating emoji: “My bad! I didn’t think about working with it.”
Sonya quickly contacted Lily Lane, but she hadn’t recorded anything either. It seemed the video must have been posted by Seraphina’s fans, now turned anti-fans after yesterday’s events.
The video also showed Julian and Seraphina’s breakdown at SeaCloud Castle. The comments flooded in, many calling the scene “comedic,” laughing at the sight of the pair slapping themselves while the whole world watched.
Seraphina’s reputation plummeted as people dug up old scandals—diva behavior, accusations of poor acting, and bullying other artists. Her rumored affair with Liam resurfaced, and many suspected Liam might be the father of her child.
As the situation spiraled, Seraphina’s team issued a statement and sued several netizens. Jennings Corporation likely intervened, calming the storm.
Sonya, however, wasn’t bothered by the online drama. Her thoughts were more focused on Julian Jennings demolishing her old house. She knew she couldn’t stop it; going there would be pointless. Besides, showing sadness would only please Julian.
She sat down, feeling regretful. “Mom, my biggest mistake was falling in love with a man who didn’t love me back, giving him my heart, and selling our house for him. I’m sorry, Mom and Dad.”
Sonya felt the weight of the decision she had made and the consequences it had brought.
By the time Henry returned before noon, Sonya had composed herself.
“Let’s go somewhere,” Henry said, excitement in his voice.
Sonya, despite her mood, agreed.
In the car, Henry kissed her. “I have a surprise for you.”
“What is it?” she asked, curious.
“You’ll see. Close your eyes.”
Sonya obeyed, her heart curious. They drove for a long time. Just as she was beginning to doze off, the car stopped.
“Can I open my eyes now?” she asked.
“Not yet. We need to walk a bit.”
Henry got out of the car, came to her side, and helped her out, leading her along an uneven path.
“Where are we going?” Sonya asked, intrigued.
“We’re here,” Henry said.
Sonya tried to open her eyes, but Henry covered them.
“Still can’t open them?” he teased.
“No,” she replied, laughing.
“The surprise is this.” He brought something cool to her lips.
“What is it?” she asked.
Henry removed his hand. Sonya opened her eyes and found herself staring at a bright red pomegranate.
She looked at him, bewildered. “Your surprise is a pomegranate?”
Henry smiled. “Pomegranates symbolize many children and blessings. Isn’t that a surprise?”
Sonya chuckled. “Why did we drive so far for a pomegranate? We have them near our house.”
“We don’t,” Henry said with a grin. “This one is from this tree.”
He turned her around, and Sonya looked to see the tree he was referring to. “This tree only grows here.”
