Chapter 82: Betrayal is a Death Sentence.
Hearing her say this, Sean remained unconvinced.
“I remember clearly that you don’t like cilantro. When we eat out, if they put it in your food, you make me pick it out.”
Sophia was startled, but she didn’t show it.
“You must be mistaken.”
Sean frowned, racking his brain.
“Maybe it was Rose who doesn’t like cilantro. Like last time, I got it wrong. She loves taro cake, and I thought you did.”
“So Rose and I have very different tastes,” Sophia commented.
Sophia took the dumpling soup from him, sipping it with the cilantro. “You seasoned it perfectly. It’s delicious.”
Sean shrugged.“I guess I was wrong.
“It’s a good thing it was Rose. If it were another woman, I’d be furious,” Sophia huffed.
Sean raised an eyebrow. “You can question my sanity, but you can’t question my fidelity. Accusing me of having another woman is an insult to my character.”
Sophia giggled. “Is it that serious?”
“Of course! Betraying your wife? That’s punishable by death!”
Sophia couldn’t stop laughing, eventually ending up in his arms, kissed deeply and long.
That night, Sophia, taking advantage of being a patient, wore a red spaghetti–strap slip, parading around Sean. He eventually pinned her to the bed, his touch both urgent and restrained.
Exhausted, Sophia showered with Sean and fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow. In the middle of the night, she instinctively snuggled towards Sean, only to find the bed empty.
She opened her eyes, sat up, stunned for a
a moment,
then got out of bed.
The room at the end of the hall, where the piano sat, was lit up. Sophia’s heart pounded, but she took a deep breath and walked over. She saw Sean sitting on the floor with his back to the door, staring blankly at the piano.
“Honey?” she called out.
Sean didn’t respond, as if he hadn’t heard her.
She went in, knelt beside him, seeing his dazed expression. She was slightly scared.
“Honey?” she called again.
This time, Sean snapped back to reality, his eyes showing confusion when he saw her.
“What are you doing here in the middle of the night?” Sophia asked.
Sean shook his head.“I was looking for something.”
“What? Can I help?”
“What?”
Lasked what you’re looking for. Do you need help?
Sean looked around the empty room, only the old piano present.
“I forgot,” he mumbled, rubbing his forehead. He stood, pulling Sophia up.“Must have been sleepwalking.”
Sophia nodded. “It’s awfully cold in here.”
“Let’s go back to bed,”
Back in the master bedroom, Sean pulled Sophia into his arms.
“Would you like to go to Antarctica to see the glaciers and the aurora borealis?”
Sophia looked up at him.“Why are you suddenly talking about that?”
I want to take you there.”
“Anywhere is fine, as long as I’m with you.”
Sean cupped Sophia’s face and kissed her, the kiss deepening, threatening to become something
more.
“Stop, I’m tired,” Sophia pushed him gently.
Sean teased her.“Then we’ll just put it on hold?”
“Okay.”
“Write me an IOU.”
“Are you shameless?”
Sean buried his face in her neck, laughing, causing Sophia to laugh uncontrollably.
The next morning, Sophia woke to find Sean already at work. She went downstairs, ate the breakfast he’d prepared, read in the sunroom, and then the doctor from Cloud Sea Hospital arrived to change her dressing.
After the doctor left, Sophia saw Mrs. Jennings approaching. She was about to close the gate, but Mrs. Jennings rushed over.
“Sophia, wait! I need to talk to you!”
Sophia was getting a headache just seeing them. Even though Mrs. Jennings had told her to wait, she closed the gate, making her feelings very clear.
Mrs. Jennings cleared her throat.“About you a
and my son… I know.”
Sophia frowned.“What about me and your son?”
“You two rekindled your romance. Wendy told me.”
“She’s crazy!”
Sophia turned to leave, but Mrs. Jennings called out to her.
“Sophia, you’re married to Sean. You should give up on my son. Even if it’s involuntary, it’s not right. Jake can be impulsive, but you shouldn’t be. It’s Sean! If he finds out about you two, he won’t let you go. Even the Jiangs can’t afford to offend the Reynoldss. You two need to think of the Jiangs. Keep your distance from now on.”
Sophia didn’t know whether to be angry or amused. Like mother, like son-
what a family!
66 15
Sophia turned, hands in her pockets I think you’re right.”
Mrs. Jennings’s eyes lit up.
You understand my intentions. I’m doing this for both of you.”
“But he lives right across from me. We see each other all the time.”
“Then move”
“I can move, but if Sean asks why, what should I say?”
That….”
So, you should get Jake to move. Ideally, back to the Jennings family home. That way, you can keep an eye on him. Oh, and persuade him not to divorce Wendy. He still loves her; he’ll realize it and work things out with her later.”
Mrs. Jennings looked dubious. “You’re surprisingly calm.”
Shouldn’t you hope I’m calm?”
“Of course
Sophia nodded. “Alright, get Jake to move out as soon as possible.”
With that, she went back inside.
Mrs. Jennings watched her for a moment, then returned to her villa. A short while later, Yang sister (presumably a housekeeper) arrived, and the two of them bustled in and out, quickly packing two large bags, loading them into a car.
Watching the car drive away, Sophia felt the neighborhood air instantly fresher
For the next few days, Sophia enjoyed a peaceful life.
That night, Sean had to work late and wouldn’t be home for dinner. He told her to cook some of the frozen dumplings he’d made, reminding her not to eat anything spicy or cold.
I’m not a child. I can take care of myself.”
*Alright, I’ll see you tonight.”
I won’t wait.”
Then don’t blame me for being bold.”
His voice, warm and low, with a mischievous chuckle, came through the phone. Even though he hadn’t said much, Sophia blushed and quickly hung up.
Just as she was about to cook, Tree called, saying Chloe was at a company dinner and wouldn’t leave even though he tried to get her to go home because she’d been drinking too much.
“She’s had too much to drink, I’m afraid she’ll get into trouble. Can you come and talk to her?”
“Send me the address.”
Sophia quickly changed her clothes, hailed a cab, and arrived at a discreet club. Tree was waiting outside. When he saw her, he rushed her to a private room. “She wouldn’t let me ruin her ‘fun,‘ so I had to call you.”
“TI go in and see.”
Sophia pushed open the door to see Chloe being embraced by a balding middle–aged man who
66.13
was forcing drinks on her. Chloe was clearly drunk and disoriented.
Sophia rushed over, intercepting the man.
The man looked up, chuckling, “Oh, a newbie from your company? You’re pretty, Keep her company and have a drink with me.”
Chapter 83. Drink Till You Drop
