Chapter 9 When she opened her eyes again , the sharp smell of antiseptic made Sophie cough violently . [ ] The white ceiling swam before her eyes . She heard Matthew's low , gentle voice . " You're awake ? How are you feeling ? " " Dawn ! " She shot up , yanking the IV needle in her arm , and scrambled to get out of bed , oblivious to the pain . [ ] Matthew quickly restrained her . " Calm down , the baby's fine . Monica is with her in the next room . " ] Sophie shoved him away . " Get out ! " ] Matthew's expression darkened . " Sophie , I know you're still angry , but Joseph's kidnapping was an emergency . I had no other choice ... " " No choice but to sacrifice my daughter ? " ] Sophie grabbed the water glass from the nightstand and hurled it at him . It shattered at his feet . " Matthew Wilson , get out ! I never want to see you again ! " ] ] " Do you have to be like this ? " Impatience crept into Matthew's voice . " Ever since the baby was born , you've been so unpredictable . Fine , T'll go . Call me when you've come to your senses . " He slammed the door , leaving silence in his wake . ] Before Sophie could process what had happened , Monica walked hi , a document in her hand and a victorious smile on her face . " Your daughter is in the nursery . Sign this , promise to never see Matthew again , and I'll let you take her . " Sophie took the agreement . Her finger traced the " no contact " clause . When she looked up , her eyes were emotionless . " The kidnapping . You staged it , didn't you ? " Monica raised an eyebrow , making no effort to hide her smugness . " Clever girl . I just wanted you to see clearly that in his heart , Joseph and I are his real family . " " He saved Joseph . He only cares about us . You've lost . " ] Sophie said nothing more . She flipped to the last page and signed her name . ] ] When the nurse brought Dawn to her , and the tiny body curled up in her arms , Sophie's tears finally fell . ] This was her whole world . Watching the scene , Monica sighed . " You know , I used to think he loved you . Our first time was an accident . He avoided me for half a year , wouldn't even see me until I found out I was pregnant . " " But men change . Maybe he loved you once , but he loves me now . And besides , I gave him a son . Your daughter can never compete with that . " " I know you look down on me , but you just got lucky being born into the right family . If you were in my shoes , you wouldn't have acted any better . " Sophie gave a faint , bitter smile , too weary to argue . ] ] Her throat was raw , and every word was an effort . ] Before leaving town , she went to the office to make one final check of the " Guardian Project's production records . The evidence of Monica's supplier substitutions and embezzlement was compiled into an encrypted file God has a way of settling scores . These landmines she'd planted would detonate eventually . [ ] She'd wait and see if Matthew could still protect his greedy " wife " when that day came . [ ] As she boarded the plane with her daughter in her arms , Sophie sent a text to Matthew's biggest rival : ( Sorry for the delay . I told you I'd marry you , and I don't break my promises . ] ] The reply was almost instantaneous : [ Sophie , I've waited twelve years for this day . It was worth every second . [ ] A sting in her nose , she turned and refreshed her social media feed . There was Monica . A photo of Joseph in a birthday hat , with Matthew and Monica kissing him on either cheek . The caption read : [ Happy 7th Birthday to our little star ! Mommy and Daddy will love you forever . Attached was the deed to an amusement park . It was Matthew's birthday gift to him . [ ] And in the next moment , a text from Matthew popped up : ] [ Sophie , something urgent came up at the office . I'll be home late . ] ] [ When I get back , I'll register our daughter and find the best doctor for her condition . [ Sophie , I will always love you . ] ] Sophie snorted and blocked all contact from both him and Monica . [ ] 10 As the plane broke through the clouds , she turned off her phone , leaned down to kiss her daughter's soft hair , and murmured , " Now he remembers he has a daughter to register ? Too bad . Her last name is Harris . " " And soon , she'll be calling the man you hate most ' Daddy . Get ready , Matthew , Payback is coming ! "