Chapter 22: For Life
“What’s
with the
“You saw it?”
Merg
property
deed?”
Sonya immediately messaged Henry,
“What’s going on?”
“Just respond.”
“I’m asking how my name ended up on the deed! When did this house become mine?”
“The day you agreed to marry me, I had Mr. Givens start preparing the paperwork to transfer the villa to your name. Remember that time you got drunk and Mr. Givens picked you up? He had the deed ready for you to sign. You probably don’t remember.”
a
Sonya racked her brain. She vaguely recalled Mr. Givens handing her a stack of papers and asking her to sign in certain spot. Had she signed a property transfer agreement? didn’t agree!” she typed furiously.
“You didn’t discuss it with
me,
and I
“Was discussion necessary?”
“Wasn’t it?”
“I didn’t think so.”
“Hah, Mr. Sullivan, what do you think I am?”
“My wife.”
“No, you treat me like a commodity with a price tag!”
“Are you angry?”
“Have I already sold myself? Do I even have the right to be angry?”
Henry didn’t reply.
Sonya threw herself onto the bed, catching her breath. The doorbell rang. She went downstairs and found Julian Jennings standing outside, his face grim.
“Something you need?” she asked.
He sighed. “Seraphina and my mother are back. They’re fine.”
“Of course they’re fine. I wouldn’t poison them and then incriminate myself.”
“You shouldn’t pay attention to those online rumors.”
“You only say that because it’s not *you* or Seraphina West being attacked, so you don’t care.”
He ran a hand through his hair in frustration.“But you shouldn’t have posted a fake property deed! If the actual owner sees it, you’ll be sued!”
“Fake? Hah. You think I photoshopped a fake deed?”
“It’s obvious.”
“So sure?”
“The owner of that villa’s last name is Reynolds. Don’t tell me your so–called fiancé is him!”
“Who my fiancé is is none of your business. Go back and coddle your precious Princess Wen!”
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Already
furious,
Sonya
Menu
lashed
out.
She turned
walked and
back inside.
TI buy you a house. Move out.”
“You’ll buy me a house? Do you even have the right?”
She scoffed, slammed the door, and locked it.
Upstairs, her phone buzzed. She guessed it was Henry. She calmed herself before opening the messages. He’d sent several.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t consider your feelings.”
“But it wasn’t out of disrespect. From the moment you agreed to marry me, I’ve been carefully trying to figure out how to get along with you, afraid of upsetting you.”
“I still messed up.”
I thought sharing everything with you, including money and property, was a sign of trust between husband and wife.”
“Isn’t that how normal couples are? No secrets?”
wife. You’re the person I’ll spend
“Sonya, from the moment you agreed to marry me, you are my wife. You’re the my life with.”
Sonya was stunned. She’d thought it was a partnership; if it worked, it worked; if not, they’d split. But Henry was talking about a lifetime.
“Don’t be mad at me. Teach
tó
love you.”
me slowly, okay? I’ll learn how
He wanted to learn how to love her.
Her heart swelled. She reread his messages, realizing his seriousness and sincerity. She felt both touched and ashamed.
She admitted it; there had been a touch of spite in agreeing to marry him. She wanted to show Julian Jennings she wasn’t unmarriageable. She needed a fiancé; it didn’t really matter who. Henry needed a wife; it seemingly didn’t matter who either.
She’d thought it was fair, but she’d remained detached from the role of fiancée, while Henry had fully embraced his role from the start.
“It’s my fault,” Sonya replied. She added, “Give me some time to adjust to this identity: Henry’s wife.”
“Sonya’s husband. I’ve adapted perfectly.”
Sonya chuckled.“Are you up yet?”
“Actually, I’m booking a flight back.”
“You’re coming back?”
“To beg you not to be mad at me.”
She was surprised he’d rush back because she was angry.
“Cancel it. I’m not angry anymore.”
“I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
“Okay.”
After ending the chat, Sonya checked the online comments on Henry’s post. Seraphina West’s
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Chapter 22: For Life
fans were attacking him, calling him a loser and a poser, asking how he could afford a villa in Clouds Wood.
Sonya tagged Henry and posted: Waiting for you to come home.
Four simple words; no need for more.
The next day, Sonya went to Julian Jennings’s villa. Yang was already preparing breakfast. “Let me help,” Sonya offered, rolling up her sleeves.
“Ms. Ella, please don’t. The Madam said you’re not allowed in the kitchen anymore,” Yang said nervously.
Sonya shrugged.“Then what should I do? Clean?”
“That’s fine.”
Sonya nodded, surveyed the living room, and spotted a deer–shaped lamp next to the TV. Julian Jennings had bought it, calling it art. It was expensive.
She walked over and knocked it to the floor.
With a crash, the deer shattered.
Julian Jennings and Seraphina West rushed downstairs, staring at the broken lamp.
“Sonya, you’re going too far!” Seraphina West shrieked.
Sonya spread her hands.“It was an accident.”
“You did this on purpose!”
“Didn’t you force me to be your housekeeper?”
Seraphina West’s face turned livid. She looked at Julian Jennings.“Julian, she did it on purpose!”
He rubbed his forehead.“You don’t need to handle household chores anymore. Just check on Seraphina when she needs you.”
“In that case, call me Dr. Ella,” Sonya said.
“Dr. Ella,” Julian Jennings gritted his teeth.“Happy now?”
Sonya nodded, then turned to Seraphina West.“Ms. West, as your personal physician, let me remind you: during pregnancy, focus on rest, not scheming.”
“Call me if you need anything.”
She turned and left.
Leaving the villa, Sonya felt a surge of relief. She’d always believed in taking the high road, but they kept pushing her. From now on, she would fight back.
Her phone rang. It was Lily Lane.
“Sonya, meet me at the gate! Security won’t let me in!”
“You’re back?”
“I’m here to back you up!”
