When Sophie stepped into Yan residence, what surprised her most was not the luxury—it was the warm welcome she received. Madam Yan, elegant but warm, greeted her with unexpected kindness, while Grandfather Yan, observant and sharp, watched her closely.
Leonard was sitting on the sofa, hunched slightly forward, completely focused on a small red toy car in his hands. He pushed it gently along the edge of the coffee table, his expression calm and absorbed, like a child lost in his own world.
Now, seeing him again after all these years, Sophie felt even more drawn to him. Leonard had always been handsome, but now he carried a deeper maturity. His boyish smile was still there, but it came with a sharper jawline, broader shoulders, and a calm, serious presence that made him feel like a man—not just the boy she remembered.
He was no longer the aloof high school senior she had secretly admired from afar. Time had sculpted him into someone even more striking, more magnetic, and though his mind had regressed, his presence still commanded the room. His tousled hair fell over his forehead in soft waves, and the subtle furrow in his brow gave him an almost vulnerable expression that tugged at something deep within her.
Even in his moments of silence or confusion, Sophie couldn't look away. His condition hadn't changed how she felt. In truth, it didn't matter to her. What mattered was that she had found him again—that fate, in its twisted way, had led her back to the one person who had unknowingly held a special place in her heart all these years. That alone was enough to make her feel truly lucky, even if the world saw their marriage as a transaction or a burden. For Sophie, it was a gift.
The deep voice of Grandfather Yan broke through the quiet hum of the room. "Leonard, this is your wife," he said with stern finality. "Do you like her? She will take care of you and give the Yan family an heir." Though the words were gentle, they carried a clear sense of expectation.
At once, Leonard's head snapped up, confusion flickering in his eyes. His lips curved downward in a pout as he shook his head, childlike stubbornness taking over. "I don't want a wife," he muttered, pushing back against the cushions and folding his arms in resistance. The rejection, though not unexpected, still landed with a quiet ache in Sophie's chest. To Leonard, she was a stranger.
Still, she didn't want this moment to shape how things began between them. Taking a slow breath, Sophie stepped forward and said softly, "Leonard, you don't have to see me as your wife right now. We can start as friends. I just want to be here for you."
But her words had barely settled before Leonard turned away sharply, his expression darkening. "I don't want that either!" he shouted, frustration and confusion swirling in his tone. "Go away!" And with that, he stormed out of the living room and he fled upstairs, slamming his door behind him.
Madam Yan let out a tired sigh as she watched him leave, her hands folded tightly in her lap.
"Sophie, don't take it to heart," she said softly, turning to her new daughter-in-law. "Leonard just isn't used to your presence yet. Give him some time." Sophie nodded, her gaze calm despite the sting of rejection.
"I understand, Mother. I don't want to force him into anything he's not ready for." Her voice held no bitterness, only a quiet strength that made Madam Yan's eyes soften.
"You are truly a blessing," Madam Yan said with a warm smile, placing a hand over Sophie's.
But Sophie shook her head, her lips lifting in a tender smile of her own. "No, Mother. I'm the lucky one to be given this opportunity." She hesitated for a moment, then added with quiet honesty, "Even though I was only meant to replace my sister in this marriage, thank you for accepting me."
Madam Yan let out a long sigh, her gaze growing distant. "We knew it would be difficult to find someone willing to marry Leonard, given his current condition. And truthfully, we still don't know if he'll ever recover. Some days, I hold onto hope. Other days, I just pray he finds peace."
Sophie met her gaze steadily, her voice unwavering. "Don't worry, Mother. From today onward, I will take care of Leonard. No matter how long it takes, I'll help him accept me. I'll stay by his side."
And in that moment, something shifted in Madam Yan's heart. She saw not just a woman fulfilling an obligation, but a daughter-in-law with genuine resolve and compassion. "Sophie," she said, her voice thick with emotion, "you truly are the daughter-in-law I prayed for."
Later that night, Sophie made her way slowly toward Leonard's room. Her footsteps were soft, hesitant, though her heart beat with quiet resolve. The room she was headed to wasn't just a guest room—it was his room. Their room now.
Before she had even moved in, the Yan family had taken the liberty of placing her belongings neatly inside, preparing the space to reflect her new role as Mrs. Yan. Her wardrobe had been arranged beside his, her nightgowns folded in drawers she hadn't opened yet. Everything had been done as if she belonged there.But the moment she stepped through the door, that feeling disappeared instantly.
"Get out!" Leonard's voice rang out and a pillow came flying at her with surprising speed and accuracy. Sophie caught it in mid-air without flinching, staying completely calm.
He stood on the bed, his expression flushed with frustration, looking like a child on the verge of a tantrum. His messy hair framed his face, and his lips were pressed into a tight line.
Sophie slowly stepped forward and walked to the bed. She placed the pillow gently back where it had come from, smoothing it with care before turning to him.
"Leonard," she said gently, her voice soft enough to soothe but firm enough to be heard, "I know you're not ready to accept me. I understand. But we can at least get to know each other. There's no need to be afraid." He glared at her for a moment before huffing and turning away, burying his face into the very pillow he had just thrown, his arms hugging it tightly like a child shielding himself from the stranger..
"I don't know you!" he mumbled, muffled but sharp. "You're a bad person! I don't want you here!"
Sophie felt the sting of his words like a slap, but she forced herself to remain composed. She had known this wouldn't be easy.
"Actually, Leonard," she said quietly, easing down to sit on the edge of the bed, "we've met before. Back in high school." There was a nostalgic warmth in her voice that gently eased the tension in the room.
His head shifted slightly. She waited, then continued, "You don't remember, but you saved me once. There were some girls… they were bullying me. You didn't say much, but you stood in front of me, and they all backed off. You didn't have to do it, but you did."
Slowly, Leonard peeked out from the pillow, his eyes wide with curiosity. The anger in his gaze faded slightly. His dark eyes—still familiar, still sharp even in their confusion—met hers, and for the first time since she arrived, he truly looked at her.
There was no recognition yet, but something had changed. A flicker of hesitation, maybe even a hint of wonder. It was small, but to Sophie, it meant everything.
Sophie saw a flicker of hesitation in Leonard's eyes. He looked at her like she was a puzzle he couldn't figure out. His brows shifted slightly, and his grip tightened on the pillow in his arms.
He seemed to be searching for her in the broken pieces of his past, but nothing fit. His lips parted, then closed again. Finally, he frowned and asked softly, "Who… are you?"
Sophie smiled gently, her voice warm and patient as she answered, "I'm Sophie Lin."
Leonard's face shifted as he tried to make sense of her words. His brows drew closer, confusion swirling in his dark eyes. The name—Sophie Lin—wasn't the one he had always heard. For as long as he could remember, people had told him about Amelia Lin, the woman he was supposed to marry.
He had pictured someone bold, loud, and commanding. In the few memories he had of social events, he recalled glimpses of Amelia—always at the center, surrounded by admirers. She carried herself like she deserved attention. She acted like the world revolved around her, proud and unbending, always expecting praise.
But the woman standing in front of him now was nothing like that image. Sophie Lin was calm. Her eyes held a quiet strength, a kindness that didn't feel forced or faked. Her smile wasn't polished or meant to charm—it was sincere, and it softened her entire face. She wasn't dressed to impress or acting as if she were doing him a favor by being there. She was just… there, steady and patient, like she truly meant the words she'd spoken earlier.
What surprised him most was that he didn't dislike her. In fact… he felt drawn to her. It was a quiet, strange pull he couldn't explain. Maybe it was the way she looked at him—with no pity, no anger. Just calm patience and honesty.
Hadn't they told him that Amelia Lin—the elegant, confident eldest daughter of the Lin family—was supposed to be his bride? Leonard frowned and was confused as he looked again at the gentle woman beside him.
But this wasn't her.
This was Sophie Lin. She was different—kind, quiet, and comforting. And as he looked at her, a strange thought slowly formed in his mind:
Why did it feel like he had ended up with the better choice?
His brow furrowed deeper, and after a beat of silence, he asked, "my wife should be Amelia."
"That's a long story," she said.
"But don't worry, I'm not a bad person." Her voice was gentle, like she was trying not to frighten him, and there was something about her tone—so earnest, so unwavering—that made it hard for Leonard not to believe her. She leaned in slightly, her expression full of warmth. "From now on, I'll take care of you. I promise."
Leonard stared at her, his lips curving into a small pout as he tried to make sense of what she said. He looked like a child considering whether or not to trust a new babysitter. "You're… not bad?" he asked cautiously, his tone uncertain but curious.
Sophie shook her head without hesitation. "If I ever do anything to bully you, you can go straight to grandpa or mum. They'll kick me out of the house for sure," she added with a wink, trying to lighten the mood.
Leonard gave a small, playful grin. "You said it!" he said proudly, like he'd just won a prize.
Sophie laughed, reaching out to gently pat the top of his head. "Then… can we be friends first?" she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Leonard paused, his eyes lifting to meet hers. There was something in her face—calm, honest, and patient—that stirred a strange feeling in his chest. A soft warmth, like butterflies waking up after a long sleep. Flustered, he quickly turned away and pulled the blanket over his head like a turtle hiding in its shell.
"I'm tired. I want to sleep!" he mumbled from beneath the covers.
Sophie couldn't help the smile tugging at her lips as she stood. "Alright," she said kindly. "Rest well. I'll go take a bath."
She moved toward the bathroom. Behind her, Leonard peeked out from beneath the blanket, watching her figure disappear through the bathroom door. He stared for a few seconds, his eyes wide, his heart pounding against his ribs in a rhythm that made no sense.
Why does he feel so… weird? he wondered, pressing a hand to his chest. And why did heI not mind her being here? For the first time in a long while, he didn't feel alone.