Chapter 105: I Was Just Her Replacement.
Chaos erupted outside the restaurant. Jay was holding back the beaten student’s friends from attacking Henry, Simon trying to pull Henry away, to stop him from hitting the kid. Henry had. the student pinned down, raining blows on him, the student’s cries of pain echoing. Simon finally managed to pull him off, but Henry grabbed a chair, ready to swing it at the
student.
“Henry!” Sophia shouted, “Put it down!”
Henry heard her voice. He didn’t look at her, but the chair stopped mid–swing. The chaotic scene fell silent.
Sophia hurried forward, snatched the chair from Henry, pushed him back, then checked on the student. He looked to be a college student.
His face was bruised and swollen; he was silent, afraid to speak.
Liu, please take him to the hospital, Sophia said to Simon.
Simon nodded, signaling Jay.
Jay still kept the angry students at bay.“Don’t make a fuss. If you want to press charges, remember, you were the ones who started insulting people. If you keep pushing this, we’ll take this to your school. We’re not afraid of punishment, are you?”
The students‘ bravado deflated. Jay patted a boy at the front. Let’s get him to the hospital. We’ll cover the treatment and compensation. And from now on, you guys get a 50% discount at the
restaurant.”
Jay used a mix of threats and appeasement. They were just students, young and inexperienced, and having seen Henry’s violence, they backed down.
Jay drove them to the hospital in his van.
Sophia sighed. Henry was leaning against the doorframe, smoking, still seething with rage.
ose students were talking about a med school girl, saying she was fake, a slut, stuff like that. Henry was drinking at a nearby table. He warned them once to shut up. The beaten guy. said, ‘Why the big deal? Your wife’s a doctor, right?‘ and jokingly asked if your wife was a wild one at night. Given Henry’s temper, he couldn’t help himself, especially since they insulted “you“,” Mrs. Sterling whispered, explaining the situation.
Sophia patted Mrs. Sterling’s shoulder. “I understand.”
She walked to Henry, took the cigarette from his mouth, and said sternly, “Let’s go home.” Henry scowled. I’m not going home.”
Sophia took a deep breath.“Suit yourself.”
She turned and walked away.
After a short distance, she noticed Henry, hands in his pockets, walking behind her, looking dejected.
The alley lights were far apart, alternating between bright and dark patches, but every block had a small restaurant open, filled with happy diners.
Sophia was hungry. She hadn’t eaten anything since noon.
Chapter 105 | Was chist Her Replace
There was a wonton stall ahead. Sophia found an empty table and ordered two bowls After a while, Henry came over and awkwardly sat beside her.
Lately, Sophia felt a strange distance between them. She wondered if the old Henry was real, or if this was the real him. But if she had to choose, she preferred the old Henry.
Two bowls of wontons arrived quickly. Henry took them from the vendor, but instead of giving one to Sophia, he placed both in front of himself.
Then, he carefully picked out all the cilantro from one bowl and transferred it to the other. He was meticulous, patient, even removing tiny bits of cilantro.
When one bowl was completely cilantro–free, he pushed it towards Sophia. Sophia looked at the bowl, a wave of sadness washing over her. She didn’t say anything and began
to eat.
Neither of them spoke until they finished.
“Can we talk?” Sophia asked Henry.
“About what?” Henry asked, his face grim.
“About us.”
“About the divorce?”
“Of course, that too.”
Henry frowned, stood up abruptly, and walked away.
Sophia sighed and hurried after him.
Henry, I admit I was wrong from the start. I wanted to marry a man, have a normal life. Couples don’t necessarily have to be in love, but they should respect and support each other. But Henry, you made me fall in love with you. And when I fell in love with you, I wanted you to love me back.”
“I love you, I’ve told you countless times. Didn’t you hear me?” Henry roared. Sophia gave a bitter laugh. She stepped forward, grabbing Henry’s arm, forcing him to look at her.“Henry, look at me. Who am I?”
“You’re Sophia.”
“Yes, I’m Sophia, not Zoey Smith.”
Henry’s eyes darkened. “What do you mean?”
Sophia looked at Henry, her eyes filled with sorrow. I’m not Zoey Smith, and I don’t want to be her replacement.”
“I never…”
“I like cilantro. Zoey Smith didn’t.”
Henry stiffened, his eyes clouded with confusion.
*Henry, ask yourself, do you really love me, or are you just loving me as Zoey Smith? From the beginning, your kindness, your affection, your vows… they were all for Zoey Smith.”
Sophia’s heart ached as she spoke.
When he loved her with the love he had for Zoey Smith, she’d been moved, she’d fallen for him.
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Chapter 105: I Was Just Her Replace;
But it was all a lie. She was a fool.
Henry, I know you didn’t mean to. You’re a good person, but I can’t accept your love knowing the truth. So, let’s break up.’
Sophia walked forward, then looked back at Henry. He was still standing there, frozen. Unsure, she went back, took his hand, and led him home.
Back home, Sophia went to the guest room. She didn’t sleep well, getting up several times to check on Henry. Only when she saw him asleep did she feel relieved.
The next morning, Sophia woke Henry and asked him to go to the hospital with her to visit Father Reynolds.
“He’s hospitalized?” Henry frowned.
es.” She didn’t say it was because of him.
Henry pursed his lips.“I’m not going. I have nothing to do with them anymore.” “Henry, you’re not a child. Don’t sulk, okay?”
“Think what you want, I’m not going.” He went to the bathroom..
Sophia sighed, and went to the hospital alone.
Father Reynolds was alone in the ward.
“I told them to go away, I have a nurse,” Father Reynolds said. Sophia sat beside the bed and tucked the blanket around him. “Henry… he didn’t want to upset you, so he didn’t come.” Father Reynolds chuckled bitterly.“Don’t Sophia was silent for a moment. “Besides Zoey Smith, was there another misunderstanding ⚫ between you two?”
make excuses.
He’s not
coming.”
Father Reynolds shook his head.“It wasn’t exactly a misunderstanding. After he and Zoey Smith were in the accident and hospitalized, I went to America to see him. When I found out what he’d been doing, I was furious. I told him, lying there, needing care: You’re hopeless. Reynolds Hai
dead.” I… I consider you doesn’t have a son like you..
Father Reynolds’s eyes welled up.
“I’ll never forget his eyes then–helplessness, disappointment, hate, then finally, madness. He said: Fine, I don’t want the name Reynolds anyway!”
