Chapter 6: The Perks of Having a Backup
Julian stared at Sonya, then burst into laughter.
you
“What? You’re joking, right? You’re my girlfriend! Who the hell are you going to marry? If didn’t hear me clearly, I’ll say it again. I’m marrying you. You hit the jackpot!” Julian looked around, picked up an unopened beer can from the floor and pulled the ring–pull down. He examined the ring–pull, scoffed,
scoffed, and swaggered. towards Sonya. He grabbed her hand, sneered, and slipped the ring–pull onto her middle finger.
“There. Believe me now?”
Sonya looked at the ring–pull
her finger,
a silent laugh escaping her.
How cheap was she in Julian’s eyes? A ring–pull was enough to make her his wife?
She threw off his hand, plucked the ring–pull from her finger, and tossed it back.“Keep it for Seraphina. I don’t deserve it.”
She walked out.
“9 AM tomorrow, I’ll be waiting at the courthouse. Don’t be a coward, Sonya!”
Julian yelled after her. She didn’t stop, leaving the room.
“Sonya!”
Jake followed her out, apologizing profusely.
‘Julian’s overreacting. You….” He wanted to defend Julian, but stopped; Julian had been completel out of line.
“I’m going to show Seraphina that she’s not the only woman I’ll marry! If she doesn’t want me, there are plenty of women who do!”
голг
echoed
Julian’s
the room. from
Sonya shook her head and smiled.
“See? He’s just lashing out at Seraphina. He doesn’t really want. to marry
“He and Seraphina aren’t right for each other.”
marry me.”
“It’s none of my business, but if you consider me a friend, respect my decision. We broke up.”
Jake looked at Sonya. He saw a resolute glint in her eyes for the first time.
This break–up felt final.
Back at the villa, Sonya’s stomach rumbled. She hadn’t eaten dinner.
She’d stopped at a convenience store on the way, buying only a package of instant ramen.
The kitchen was empty, but there was a small pot. She cooked the ramen, then realized there were no bowls. She ate straight from the pot.
Henry sent her a picture–a bowl of beef noodle.
“Marinated the beef last night. Cooked the noodles this morning, added some sliced beef and green onions. Easy peasy.”
Sonya smiled at the picture and the message.
Henry was… odd.
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Chapter 6. The Perks of Having a tha
He’d quickly slipped into the fiancé role, and he liked to talk to himself. Sonya took a picture of her ramen and sent it to him.
He replied quickly: Want to try mine?
Sonya sent a clapping emoji, then thought it was inappropriate.
But Henry replied: I’ll make some for you when I get back.
Sonya’s heart ached with a strange mixture of warmth and longing.
The next morning at the hospital, Sonya did her rounds on the maternity ward. The head nurse, Lucy, pulled her towards the VIP floor.
“The director wants you to see a patient.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you.”
At the VIP ward, Sonya spotted Julian leaning against the hallway with a bandage on his head. He was angrily smoking a cigarette.
Smoking was prohibited, but no one dared to tell him off.
Lucy told Sonya the room number and went back to work.
Sonya approached Julian’s room.
The door was closed, but through the window, she saw Seraphina lying in bed.
Seraphina tried to slit her wrists last night.
As Lucy had said, it wasn’t serious. Even without treatment, the wound woulds heal.
But the suicide attempt caused a huge stir.
Julian looked up, seeing Sonya as an outlet for his anger. He tossed his cigarette to the floor and ground it out.
“She tried to kill herself over that irresponsible jerk! Was it worth it? Tell me, was it worth it?”
Sonya raised an eyebrow. “You’re asking me?”
“Aren’t you both women?”
Sonya’s lips twitched. It wasn’t worth it. At least I wouldn’t hurt myself over a jerk.” Julian frowned. “You’re being cryptic.”
“You asked me.”
Ignoring Julian’s outburst, Sonya opened the door.
It was the hospital’s most luxurious ward, furnished like a presidential hotel suite.
Seraphina lay on a king–sized bed, receiving an IV drip. Tears were streaming down her face.
Seeing Sonya, she turned her head toward the window.
Sonya examined her wounds and checked her vitals.
Tve reviewed your reports. The wounds are minor, and the baby is stable. Don’t worry too
much.”
Chapter The Perks of Having a Ba
“What about him?” Seraphina asked, her voice choked with sobs.
“Who?”
“Julian.”
“He’s outside.”
“Why won’t he come in?”
Sonya sighed inwardly. Were these two idiots? Why would they ask her everything?
“I know he came here last night, but he wouldn’t see me. I know I hurt him, but I promise it’s the last time. I’m done with that man.”
“Miss West, wait a moment. I’ll get
“No, I’m telling you.”
Mr. Jennings.”
Seraphina turned to her. She was crying, yet her demeanor remained haughty.
“I intended to have a fake marriage with Julian to deceive the public, but now I genuinely want to marry him.”
Sonya clicked her tongue.
This was the advantage of having a backup guy, wasn’t it?
Julian was Seraphina’s backup, and she was Julian’s.
“Why are you telling me this?” Sonya asked, amused.
“I want you to understand and stop clinging to Julian.”
I’m clinging to him?”
“I know you love him, but he only loves me. As long as I agree to stay with him, there’s no place for you.” Seraphina sighed. Of course, considering you were with him for eight years, I’ll compensate you.”
What?
That was interesting!
Sonya put her hands in her pockets, looking at Seraphina. “Actually, Julian proposed to me last. night.”
Seraphina’s face turned tense.
“If I had said yes, I’d be Mrs. Jennings now.”
“He only loves me.”
“So what? When I lay in his bed, you’re sleeping with another man.”
“You…”
“So
you
better think about how to compensate me. Only then will I let go of this ‘good man.”
Chapter 7: The Unloved One Is the
