Sophia jumped up from her bed, "Daddy, you're the best! I love you so much!"

After hanging up, Sophia was singing and dancing on her bed. A moment later, she thought of her mother and realized these past few days, she'd felt happy because her mom hadn't called her.

Actually, to avoid talking to her mom, she'd been leaving home early and purposely keeping her phone far away or turned off after school. But surprisingly, her mom hadn't called her at all these past few days.

At first, she thought her mom was angry because she knew Sophia was avoiding her calls. But then she thought, since she was the most important person in her mom's heart and her mom loved her the most, she couldn't believe her mom would really stop calling just because she was mad at her!

Thinking about this, Sophia suddenly missed her mother a little. It was the first time in many days that she'd thought of Grace, and she couldn't help but call her.

But just as she tapped the numbers, she suddenly realized something. Even though she could still play with Auntie Claire after returning to Silver City, knowing her mom's personality, she would definitely try to stop her from seeing Auntie Claire. She wouldn't be able to see Auntie Claire whenever she wanted like she could here. This thought immediately ruined her mood.

It was early morning in Silver City, and Sophia's call woke her mother up.

Grace saw her daughter's call and was about to answer when Sophia angrily hung up. Although she had given up custody of Sophia, she was still her daughter, and Grace felt some responsibility for her. Seeing Sophia's call and the sudden hang-up made her worried something might be wrong, so she quickly called back.

Sophia saw it but turned her little face away, refusing to answer.

More worried now, Grace immediately called the landline at the villa. Nancy quickly answered, and after hearing Grace's concern, said, "Miss Sophia should be fine. I'll go upstairs to check and call you back."

Grace felt relieved, "Okay thank you, Nancy," she said.

When Nancy went upstairs, Sophia was already in the bathroom getting ready. While brushing her teeth, she lied saying, "I hit the call button by accident. Tell mom not to call me anymore today."

She hummed to herself thinking she was going back to Silver City with Daddy and Auntie Claire today, and she didn't want Mom interrupting her time with Auntie Claire.

Nancy told Grace that Sophia was fine, but didn't mention the last part, not wanting to hurt Grace's feelings.

During this time, and ever since the day Alexander had received Claire's call, the envelope containing the divorce agreement had been completely forgotten.

On the day of their return to Silver City, Alexander put the last of his documents in his briefcase, made sure nothing was forgotten, and went downstairs.

"We're ready. Let's go," he said.

The stretch Lincoln quickly pulled away from the villa, heading to the airport.

*****

Grace didn't know about Alexander and Sophia's return. No one had told her.

Their flight landed at the airport right on schedule, a little after 10 PM that night.

It was nearly midnight by the time Alexander and Sophia got home. Sophia had fallen asleep before they arrived, so Alexander carried her upstairs. As he passed the master bedroom, he noticed the door was open, but it was pitch black inside.

After putting Sophia to bed, he returned to the master bedroom and turned on the lights. His eyes swept across an empty bed. Grace wasn't there.

Just then, the housekeeper was bringing his luggage upstairs. Alexander loosened his tie around his neck and asked, "Where is she?"