After spending a few weeks with Sophie, Leonard Yan could see it now—Sophie Lin truly loved him. It wasn't out of duty or sympathy. It wasn't the shallow admiration he used to get from women when he was the confident, brilliant heir of the Yan family. Back then, they praised his wealth and intelligence, but when he was labeled "slow," they disappeared.
Sophie was different. She never pulled away or looked at him with pity. She simply stayed kind, and patient. Her love came through in the little things: her gentle words, the way she held his hand, the way she made him feel safe.
But what truly shifted something inside him was one quiet afternoon in the garden.
He had been sitting on the stone bench, distracted and unfocused, pretending to struggle with a simple puzzle. A group of relatives arrived unexpectedly, murmuring greetings with tight smiles, casting glances at him as if he were some fragile thing. One of them whispered to another, not quietly enough, "What a shame… to think he used to be so promising."
Leonard heard it. He looked down, hands still, chest tightening.
Before he could say anything, Sophie stood up.
Her voice wasn't loud, but it was clear. "Leonard is still Leonard," she said. "He's not a burden, and he doesn't need to be pitied. If you can't treat him with kindness and respect, don't bother visiting."
The group fell silent. No one dared speak again. They left soon after, tension trailing behind them.
Leonard had watched the whole thing, stunned. Sophie hadn't looked at him with fear or embarrassment. She had simply defended him like it was the most natural thing in the world. That was the moment he knew—she wasn't pretending. She truly saw him.
*****
One late afternoon, Madam Yan and Sophie were sitting in the study room having a conversation.
"Sophie," she began, "I asked to see you privately today to speak about something... important."
Sophie gave a polite nod. "Of course, Madam Yan."
The older woman leaned slightly forward, resting her hands lightly on her knees. "You've settled in well, and I'm pleased with how gentle you've been with Leonard. But we can't keep waiting forever." She paused, her gaze unwavering. "It's time you consider fulfilling your role as his wife. It's time to give this family an heir."
Sophie's breath caught. Madam Yan was pushing her again.
Madam Yan gave a slight, measured smile. " The sooner, the better. You must understand, with Leonard's condition, everything else becomes uncertain. But a child—that secures the future of this family. It proves that he can still carry on the Yan name."
Sophie's fingers tensed. "He… he doesn't understand enough yet. He's not ready. I don't think this is the right time."
"Then guide him," Madam Yan said flatly. "You're his wife, Sophie. He trusts you. Use that trust. Be gentle, but firm. This is not about emotions—it's about legacy. About protecting what remains of this family's power."
Sophie struggled for words, the weight of the demand pressing on her chest. But before she could form a reply, a soft shuffle broke the heavy air.
They turned toward the doorway.
Leonard stood there, half-hidden behind the wall, the puzzle book she had given him dangling from one hand.
Sophie's breath caught in her throat.
"Leonard…" she murmured, already stepping toward him.
Sophie turned briefly to Madam Yan. "Mother, if you don't mind… I'd like to check on Leonard."
There was a long pause before Madam Yan gave a cool nod. "Very well. Go."
Sophie didn't waste another second. She gently reached for Leonard's hand. "Let's go outside for a bit, okay?"
He nodded faintly, his fingers curling around hers, the puzzle book still pressed to his chest. Together, they walked out of the study room and down the quiet hallways of the Yan Residence until they reached the inner courtyard garden.
The flowers Sophie had tended the week before were in full bloom, their scent sweet and calming. Leonard sat down slowly on the edge of the fountain, his head tilted down, fingers fidgeting with the puzzle book.
Sophie knelt beside him, brushing a few stray leaves from the stone bench.
"I missed walking with you today," she said gently, watching his face. "Remember how we saw the koi fish yesterday? You wanted to name the orange one 'Pumpkin.'" She smiled softly. "I still think that's a perfect name."
Leonard glanced at her.
Sophie's heart squeezed. She didn't know how much he had heard—whether he understood all of it.
"Leonard," she said carefully, "what did you hear just now?"
He stayed quiet for a moment, then looked down at his hands. "Mom said… baby means good. Baby means… protect family."
Sophie swallowed hard. "Yes, that's what Mother said."
Leonard's fingers twitched, and for a long moment, he didn't look at her. Then he mumbled, "Sophie… not happy?"
She blinked. "What?"
"Just now. Your eyes… they looked scared." He glanced up at her, eyes wide. "Leonard wants Sophie happy. Not scared."
A small tear escaped before she could stop it. She quickly wiped it away and smiled, leaning forward to gently press her forehead to his.
"I am happy, Leonard. You make me happy. That moment to answer to your family… It was just hard. But being with you? That's never hard."
He wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his head on her shoulder. "Will Sophie stay with Leonard forever?"
Her arms came around him too, holding him close. "Always," she whispered. "As long as you want me."
Leonard gave a soft, contented hum. The tension slowly melted from his body as he leaned into her warmth.
Looking at her with soft, certain eyes, he said, "Sophie, let's make a baby tonight."
Sophie's face turned bright red. She sat up, clutching the blanket, heart pounding. "L-Leonard… do you know what you're saying?" she asked, unsure if he truly understood.
But Leonard nodded eagerly, eyes shining. He hugged her tightly and grinned. "Yes! Leonard wants to love Sophie in bed."
Sophie's breath caught. She hadn't expected this from him. But when she met his eyes, she saw trust and real affection.
Her hands trembled slightly as she nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Alright… then let's try tonight."
Leonard beamed, wrapping her in a joyful hug. "Love Sophie!" he said, his voice full of pure happiness. Sophie smiled, her heart full.
Later that afternoon, Sophie took Leonard to the mall to pick up a few daily items. It had become part of her routine—figuring out what he liked, what he needed, and gently bringing him around the places.
She held his hand as they walked through the aisles, letting him stop to look at anything that caught his attention—stuffed toys, colorful pens, snacks he used to enjoy. His curiosity was innocent and sincere, and she couldn't help but smile each time he turned to her, eyes lit with excitement.
Just as she was about to pay at the counter, a voice behind her rang out—sharp, familiar, and unwanted.
"Well, well, isn't this a surprise? My dear sister… and her foolish husband." The voice was sharp and mocking, making Sophie tense immediately. She turned around and saw Amelia Lin, standing proudly with her smug fiancé, Ryan Xie.
Amelia's smile was fake, but her tone was full of venom. Ryan gave Leonard a slow once-over, then let out a short, mocking laugh. "So this is Leonard Yan?" he said, lips curling. "Handsome, sure. But what a waste—just a pretty face with no brain."
Amelia giggled and clung to Ryan's arm, her voice sweet but cutting. "Exactly. I made the right choice picking you, Ryan." She glanced at Sophie, eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
Sophie clenched her jaw, fury bubbling up, but she didn't take the bait. She tightened her grip on Leonard's hand, determined to protect him from their cruelty. Leaning close, she whispered, "Let's go, Leonard. They're not worth our time."
But before they could walk away, Amelia stepped in front of them, smirking. "Leaving already? We're just getting started."
Before Sophie could speak, Leonard looked up and stared straight at Amelia. He blinked once, calm and quiet. Then, in the most innocent and blunt tone, he said, "Ugly."
Silence hit like a slap.
Amelia's mouth fell open, all her smugness gone. "You… you idiot! How dare you insult me?!" she shrieked, stomping her heel on the floor before turning to Ryan in outrage. "Ryan! Say something!"
But Ryan didn't speak right away. He stared at Leonard, his expression more cautious than amused now. "Amelia," he said quietly, "even if Leonard's not like before… he's still a Yan. I'm not stupid enough to insult someone from that family."
Amelia gasped. "Useless!" she snapped, smacking his arm and glaring at him like a child who didn't get her way.
Sophie used the moment to pull Leonard away, weaving quickly through the crowd until they stepped outside the store. Once they were out of the mall, she finally let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
"Leonard," she said gently, turning to him, "you shouldn't call people names."
He pouted, arms crossed, clearly unbothered. "She bullied Sophie first."
Sophie blinked, then laughed softly. "My dear hubby… you were protecting me?"
Leonard nodded proudly. "Leonard will protect Sophie. No one can bully Sophie."
Her heart melted. She reached up and gently touched his cheek. "My hubby is amazing."
Leonard beamed at her praise, then looked sheepish. "Sophie said no bad words…"
Sophie giggled. "Yes, that's right. No bad words, okay?"
He sighed dramatically. "Okay… Leonard will listen to Sophie."
As they walked under the soft light of the setting sun, Leonard gently wrapped his arm around Sophie's, staying close with her. Sophie felt something deeply clear: even if the world saw Leonard as a fool, he was the one she loved and trusted most.
Their steps moved in sync as they headed back to the estate. After a moment, Sophie broke the silence, her voice soft. "Leonard… I didn't tell you earlier, but that woman—Amelia—she's my older sister," she said, looking ahead. "She was actually the one chosen to marry you first."
Leonard blinked, confused. "Then… why is Sophie my wife?" he asked, his tone innocent but curious.
Sophie gave him a small smile. "Because when she refused, I stepped in," she said. Then she leaned a little closer and whispered, "And I'll tell you a secret… Back in high school, I had a crush on you, Leonard."
He slowed down, eyes wide as he took in her words. A blurry memory flickered in the back of his mind—of a scared girl in the hallway, and of himself standing in front of her, protecting her from mean school mates. Was that girl Sophie?
Until now, he thought he'd been married off to whoever was available. He'd expected coldness, distance. But Sophie… she had chosen him. And she had feelings for him even before this marriage.
His chest filled with warmth and he held her hand tighter.
"Leonard only wants Sophie to be my wife," he said, voice steady and full of feeling.
Sophie's heart skipped. Her eyes softened as she turned to him. "Marrying you is the happiest thing that's ever happened to me." she whispered.
Leonard's face lit up with a joyful grin. Then, without warning, he leaned in and kissed her. It was quick and gentle—but it made Sophie freeze, cheeks blazing red.
She looked at him, stunned, but his bright, beaming smile made her burst out laughing, warm and free.