But Bartholomew refused to budge, dead set on being with me.
Back then, he'd knelt before Edgar with that same stubborn determination.
He stayed on his knees until even the hardest hearts in the Delgado family softened.
All these years later, Bartholomew hadn't changed one bit.
The only difference? The woman standing beside him, the one who held his heart—
It wasn't me anymore.
I hesitated, unsure whether to approach.
Then the baby burst into wails.
Bartholomew turned at the sound.
But he made no move to help.
He watched with cold detachment as I fumbled to soothe the child, his eyes filled with nothing but irritation—as if I'd committed some unforgivable offense by disturbing him.
In the end, it was Pearl Lambert who couldn't bear to watch any longer. She stepped forward and took the baby from my arms.
Even at the sight of his grandson, Edgar's expression didn't thaw.
He tossed a photograph at my feet, his face like carved granite.
"I don't care how you two fight or what drama you create."
"But there's one line you will not cross—the Delgado name and our stock price."
"Explain this. Now."
The photo was a livestream screenshot featuring Madeline.
An influencer to her core, Madeline never missed a chance to flaunt her wealth or parade her relationship. During yesterday's broadcast, eagle-eyed viewers had spotted a box of HIV medication on her vanity.
One tiny screenshot. That was all it took to ignite a firestorm.
The Delgado Group's PR team had scrambled to contain it, but the damage had already reached Edgar's ears.
I glanced at Bartholomew's ashen face, then stepped forward.
"It's a misunderstanding. That medication is a new drug our research team has been developing."
"I'll clarify everything with the media personally. The family's reputation won't be touched."
Edgar studied me for a long moment, then gave a satisfied nod.
He shot Bartholomew a look heavy with meaning.
Then he produced a golden locket and clasped it around the baby's neck.
"Sophie, rest assured."
"You've given the Delgado family its firstborn heir. We won't forget what you've done."
"If this boy of mine causes you any more trouble, you come straight to me. I'll set him straight myself."
"I'll beat some sense into this arrogant brat!"
I stopped needing anyone to fight my battles a long time ago.
When things between Bartholomew and me had been at their worst, everyone—the entire Delgado household, even people I'd once called friends—had chosen his side.
Some picked apart my every flaw. Others accused me of being petty and small-minded.
And Bartholomew himself had looked down his nose at me and sneered:
"Sophie, you're nothing but a castoff your own family threw away. What gives you the right to make demands of me?"
"One word from me decides whether you rise or fall."
That was when everything crystallized.
Love, devotion, affection—all of it was smoke and mirrors.
Only power and money were real.
I'd barely managed to smooth things over with Edgar.
I was heading home, hadn't even reached the corner, when Bartholomew's palm connected with my face.
No restraint. No mercy. Every ounce of his strength behind it.
My cheek swelled instantly, the skin burning like fire.
His expression remained frigid, utterly unchanged.
He stared at me with those eyes—the same eyes that had once held such tenderness for me—now brimming with nothing but disgust.
"Sophie, I underestimated you."
"Agreeing to the divorce to my face while stabbing Maddie in the back and running to Grandfather with your lies."
"You think this will win me back? You think this will make me love you again?"
"Keep dreaming."
