Chapter 7 It was Monica ! [ ] Sophie's heart hammered against her ribs , her knuckles white as she gripped the phone . " Tm on my way back . " ] She drove home like a madwoman The nanny was pacing anxiously in the foyer . Seeing Sophie , she rushed over , her voice choked with tears . [ ] " Ma'am , I couldn't stop them ... Mr. Wilson called personally and told me to let them in . " ] ] As Sophie entered , she saw Joseph sprawled on the floor , playing with glass marbles that were rolling everywhere . [ ] The boy saw her and shrieked , " Mommy , look ! The mean lady who tried to steal my blood is back ! " And Monica ... was standing over Dawn's crib , her finger hovering near the baby's cheek , cooing softly . " Get away from my daughter ! " Sophie lunged and shoved her away . Monica stumbled back a step , but instead of getting angry , a slow , malicious smile spread across her face . [ ] " Let me remind you , Ms. Harris . " " Matthew and I are the legally recognized couple . That makes you the dirty little secret . This house you're living in is our marital property , and I can have you thrown out on the street whenever I want . " [ ] The words were like needles of ice , piercing Sophie's heart so deeply that even breathing hurt . And yet , she couldn't refute them " I was already done with trash like Matthew . I'm leaving . " She gritted her teeth , her knuckles white . " But until I do , you get out of my house ! Or I'll call the press right now and expose your disgusting affair to the world . As far as this city is concerned , I'm still Mrs. Wilson . " " Let's see whose reputation suffers if you push me too far . " ] you you are ? The law is on my side ! You're the bitch who needs Struck a nerve , Monica shrieked in fury . " Who L to get out ! " the hell do think Sophie looked up , her voice dripping with sarcasm . " If I leave him , I still have the entire Harris family fortune to back me up . " [ ] " And you ? A maid who seduced her boss ? So what if you have a marriage license ? Do you really think he'd ever publicly acknowledge a woman with your background ? " ] " My guess is you're destined to be his dirty little secret forever . " ] * Shut up ! " Venom filled Monica's eyes as she swung her hand hard at Sophie's face . CRACK The sharp sound of a slap echoed through the living room . Sophie's check stung , but she didn't even blink . She retaliated with a much harder slap of her ownL The room had security cameras . The footage would show who started it . But just then , a strange , choked sound came from the crib . Sophie whipped her head around , her pupils constricting in horror . [ ] Joseph was quickly pulling his hand out of the crib , but she had seen it clearly - he had just shoved something into her daughter's mouth ! ] It was a glass marble ! ] " Dawn ! " Sophie's heart nearly leaped out of her chest . She scrambled to pick up her daughter , her hands trembling as she patted the baby's back . ] " Spit it out ... please , spit it out ! " " Sophie , what the hell are you doing to our daughter ?! " Matthew's furious shout came from the doorway . He stormed in , his face turning to thunder as he saw Sophie " tormenting " the baby . Monica immediately ran to his side , her eyes red as she explained , " Matthew , you're back ! Joseph just loves his little sister , he wanted to play with her , show her his marble , but Ms. Harris completely overreacted ... " ) Sophie ignored her , frantically trying to clear her daughter's airway with her trembling fingers , her voice strained . ] " It's okay , Dawn , sweetie , just spit it out ... Mama's here ... " ] Matthew couldn't watch anymore and snatched the baby away . " Are you crazy ? You're going to hurt her ! " SMACK ! ] Another sharp crack , as her hand connected solidly with Matthew's face . " You hit me? " he stammered , covering his cheek , his eyes wide with disbelief . Startled by the sound , Dawn gagged violently . A round glass marble rolled out of her mouth , thudding onto the carpet . A. heart wrenching wail followed , her little face turning crimson . ] " Do you see it now ?! " Sophie screamed , her eyes red - rimmed , pointing at the marble on the floor . " That little monster shoved a marble into your newborn daughter's mouth ! Are you blind ?! " She snatched her daughter back , holding her tight , her gaze on Monica and her son as sharp and venomous as a poisoned blade . Matthew's expression finally changed . He turned and pulled Joseph over . " Joseph , apologize to the lady and your sister . Now . " But Joseph just burst into tears , kicking and screaming on the floor . " Mean daddy ! I don't want you ! Waaaah ... ] The two sets of cries merged into a single , ear - splitting wail . [ ] " Alright , alright , he's just a kid , he doesn't know any better . He doesn't have to apologize . " Matthew immediately scooped his son into his arms, patting his back with concern . When he looked back at Sophile , his eyes were cold again . ]] " Kids play rough . they don't know their own strength . Why are you being so dramatic ? Sophie , you're the adult here , can't you act like one ? How are you going to raise a daughter if you're like this ? " ] " Get out ! " His words flayed her heart raw . She pointed to the door and , with all her strength , slapped him across the face again . " Take your wife and your son , and get the hell out of my house !"