C19 Leaving

Hearing Connor's words, Toby Fuller's penetrating gaze settled on Sonia Reed.

Sonia had always struck him as a principled person, someone who never asked him for anything, that is until the car accident occurred.

When he learned that Sonia was supposedly behind the accident, he unleashed his fury on her, yet she bore it without a word of complaint.

Even after their divorce, Sonia didn't take anything that wasn't rightfully hers.

Feeling Toby's stare, Sonia offered a cold smile.

It was she who had tirelessly donated blood to keep the comatose Khloe alive, only to be wrongfully branded a murderer. The irony wasn't lost on her.

Khloe, her deception uncovered, clung to Toby's hand, pleading desperately, "Toby, you must believe me. I never lied to you."

Watching Khloe scramble to salvage her reputation, Sonia let out a scornful laugh. She addressed Toby formally, "Mr. Fuller, I hope you appreciate today's gift. Consider it the last token of our severed ties. Take a good look at who you keep close."

With those words, Sonia turned on her heel with an air of defiance.

Mrs. Aguilar snapped out of her daze and hastened toward Sonia, intent on chastising her.

Ryan Dwyer, sensing the impending confrontation, extended his arms, effectively barring Mrs. Aguilar's advance.

"Sonia Reed, are you trying to sabotage my daughter's engagement party? Didn't your parents teach you any manners?"

Mrs. Aguilar had lost all semblance of grace, her hair disheveled, her voice shrill.

Sonia steadied herself against the verbal onslaught and replied with measured calm, "I address you as Mrs. Aguilar out of respect for an elder."

Her gaze, sharp as a blade, shifted to Khloe. "It seems you and your daughter share more than just looks."

Mentioning her parents always stirred a deep pain in Sonia. They were her most cherished.

"Sonia Reed, don't push it. Your own family sees you as a burden. What gives you the right to judge us?" Khloe snapped back, stung by Sonia's barbs.

"Miss Aguilar, perhaps you're not well-informed about my family affairs. That woman has no place calling herself my family."

Sonia's eyes turned frostier at the mention of her stepmother.

The entire exchange, the heated words, Sonia's composure, the technical staff she had brought along—all made it clear to the onlookers that Sonia was not to blame for Khloe's accident.

Mrs. Aguilar, blinded by her maternal instinct, was smearing an innocent person without regard for the truth.

"Sonia Reed," Khloe exclaimed, pointing an accusatory finger.

"Enough," Leon Aguilar interjected, his voice a sharp rebuke.

The onlookers were reveling in the spectacle, and Leon knew the gossip would tarnish his reputation.

His demeanor softened as he addressed the crowd, "My apologies for this interruption. We're dealing with a family matter. I'll arrange another gathering soon to make up for this."

The guests took their leave, understanding Leon's cue.

Sonia didn't linger to spar with Mrs. Aguilar any longer and departed from the now subdued banquet hall.

"Uncle, I have other matters to attend to and must take my leave," Toby announced, his departure granting Leon a modicum of respect.

Leon, ever the diplomat, replied smoothly, "If you're tired, please go ahead. We'll be retiring as well."

Toby nodded and strode out.

Khloe watched Toby's retreating figure, tears spilling over. Her much-anticipated engagement party had crumbled to nothing.

Assistant Benson hurried over with an umbrella, "Sir, the rain is quite heavy."

"Did she have an umbrella?"

Toby asked reflexively.

"Miss Reed's companion provided one for her."

"I don't need to hear about it," Toby cut him off sharply, leaving Assistant Benson to follow in silent confusion.

Upon returning to Fuller's Mansion, Toby found Ruth Lee and Axel Fuller already asleep, the upstairs dark and quiet.

Meanwhile, in the old house, Sonia Reed began a new chapter. To celebrate clearing her name, a small party of three unfolded in the living room.

Waking early the next morning, Sonia found Ryan and Connor sprawled on the couch amid a sea of empty bottles.

Once she had cleared away the last of the debris, Ryan stirred.

"Sis, are you okay?" he asked, encountering Sonia on his way to discard the trash.

"I'm fine," she replied, her smile faint. Pausing as she passed by, she noticed the corner of a photo frame peeking from Ryan's trash bag. "Ryan, what's that?"

"Just trash," he said, giving the bag a shake, revealing Toby Fuller's photograph to Sonia.

"Let me dispose of that for you."

Before Ryan could react, Sonia took the bag from his hands and walked out to the trash can alone.

Sonia Reed stood before the trash can, pulling a photo frame from its depths. It was a snapshot of their wedding day.

They were divorced now. That photo was her solitary keepsake.

Toby Fuller's expression never changed, yet it perpetually captured her gaze.

Sonia removed the photo from the frame and slipped it into the pocket of her nightgown, thankful that their wedding picture was small enough to fit.

Connor stepped outside after not seeing her for a while and found Sonia looking despondent, her thoughts clearly with Toby.

Ryan Dwyer had come across the photo frame while tidying the living room the day before. It had been discarded in the corner of the sofa, but Sonia couldn't bring herself to throw it away.

Connor's eyes darkened as he approached, plucked the frame from her grasp, and tossed it back into the trash. "Why bother with a pile of rubbish? I've booked your favorite restaurant, and we'll swing by the hospital for a checkup afterward."

He was clueless about whether Sonia had suffered any mistreatment at Fuller's Mansion.

"Connor, if you're picking up the tab, I'll graciously accept," Sonia quipped.

After catching a whiff of her own scent, she returned to her room and changed into a fresh outfit. The pale green, ruffled dress accentuated her vibrant allure.

Unbeknownst to Sonia, a flicker of astonishment crossed Ryan's usually impassive eyes—a detail Connor didn't miss.

Wrapping his right arm around Sonia's neck, Connor declared, "Sonia, tonight you're all mine."

But before Connor could react, Sonia kicked him away and stated coldly, "Connor, you still don't get me, do you?"

Intent on maintaining her distance, Sonia grabbed Ryan's hand and strode away, leaving Connor with nothing but her retreating figure.

"Sonia, wait up!" Connor called out, his voice tinged with longing, as he watched the two move further away.

The trio made a beeline for the hospital. Upon arrival, they headed straight for the doctor's office.

"Hello, I'm Sonia Reed. I have an appointment for a checkup."

"You're Sonia Reed?" the doctor asked, glancing up.

He spoke with a detached tone, "You're the first to cancel an appointment three times."

Sonia gave the doctor a puzzled look. She was aware Connor had mentioned a checkup, but he hadn't informed her of any appointment.

As the truth threatened to unravel, Connor interjected with a sigh, "Aunt, please, don't be hard on her. I'm the one to blame."

Aunt?