Chapter 127
James stood at the kitchen doorway, still wearing yesterday's shirt and dress pants, just badly wrinkled.
His hair was a bit messy, stubble had grown on his chin, and his eyes weren't as unfocused as yesterday - he looked much more sober, though bloodshot.
With his long limbs crammed on that small sofa, there was no way he could have slept well.
"Why haven't you left yet?" I asked instinctively, my tone a bit harsh.
"I just woke up too." His voice was still hoarse. "Thanks for last night."
"No need." I turned back around and took eggs and toast from the fridge. "You can leave now that you're awake."
He didn't move, his eyes falling on the eggs in my hands. "Let me do it."
"No need." I cut him off. "I can do it myself."
"Mr. Smith, you should go home and change soon. Don't you have to go to work later?"
"Please, don't come disturb my life anymore," I said flatly. "And don't do things like this that put people in awkward positions."
He looked at me, intense emotions churning in his eyes, but they all eventually turned into a heavy, dark gray.
"I understand," he said hoarsely after a long while. "I won't bother you again."
He turned and walked toward the door.
When his hand reached the doorknob, he paused, his back to me as he said, "Sophia, I still want to tell you again - Amelia and I really didn't have sex. That child isn't mine."
"James!" I interrupted sharply. "I said I don't want to hear it. None of this has anything to do with me."
His shoulders slumped. He said nothing more, pulled open the door, and walked out.
The door closed softly.
I stood there, still gripping the egg beater tightly until my knuckles turned white.
My stomach churned with nausea again. I rushed to the sink and dry heaved, but nothing came up - just acid burning my throat.
I didn't know when the tears had started streaming down my face.
I turned on the faucet and splashed cold water hard against my cheeks.
The icy water cleared my head a bit.
After pulling myself together, I made a simple breakfast and forced myself to eat it.
Even if I couldn't eat, I had to think about the baby in my belly. The baby needed nutrition.
Just as I finished eating, my phone rang. This time, it was Andrew calling.
"Sophia, an international computer conference has invited ZeroSpecter. Do you want to attend?" Andrew's voice was gentle as always.
That's when I remembered - there seemed to be similar events in previous years, but back then I was completely focused on James and never attended once.
Now things were different. I wasn't going to revolve around James anymore. I had my own life. I wanted to do things I enjoyed.
"Yes," I said.
"Good. Then I'll go with you. You haven't been feeling well lately, and I'd worry if you went alone," Andrew said.
I thought about it and didn't refuse. "Thanks. Sorry to trouble you again."
"Don't be so formal with me." Andrew chuckled. "I'll pick you up the morning after tomorrow then."
"Okay."
After hanging up, I walked to the window and looked down. James was already gone.
I withdrew my gaze. The apartment was clean and tidy, as if he'd never been here at all.
Two days later, at the international computer conference venue.
Andrew accompanied me inside.
Today I wore a well-tailored beige suit and skirt, light makeup, and low-heeled beige leather shoes.
Andrew was also dressed formally in a gray suit, looking refined and steady.
We walked into the venue side by side. A handsome man and a beautiful woman together inevitably attracted some attention.
"How are you feeling? Tired?" Andrew tilted his head slightly and asked me quietly, his tone concerned.
"I'm fine, not tired." I smiled at him.
We found our seats and waited for the event to start.
My eyes wandered across the venue, but suddenly froze on a certain figure.
In the VIP section not far ahead, James stood tall in a black suit, talking quietly with someone beside him.
He seemed to sense something and happened to turn his head at that moment.
Our eyes met.
His eyes widened in shock - clearly, he hadn't expected to see me here.
Then his gaze fell on Andrew beside me, and then moved back to my face. His expression instantly darkened, his lips pressed into a tight line.
I looked away expressionlessly, pretending I hadn't seen him.
After sitting for a while, Andrew said he'd introduce me to some people. I chatted with him and some industry friends for a bit.
I'd been standing for quite a while and was getting tired. I was about to tell Andrew I needed to rest when James came over.
He didn't look well. His eyes moved back and forth between Andrew and me, then landed on the low-heeled shoes on my feet, his brow furrowing even deeper.
"Mr. Anderson." He spoke, his voice cold and heavy. "Sophia isn't feeling well, and you still let her wear high heels and brought her to this crowded, noisy place?"
Andrew took my hand. "Mr. Smith, I'm aware of Sophia's condition. I'll take good care of her. No need for Mr. Smith to worry."
"You're aware?" James laughed coldly, stepping closer, his eyes sharp. "Are you aware that she's pregnant?"
"Early pregnancy requires rest most of all - she can't overwork, can't stand for long periods. Doesn't Mr. Anderson understand these basic things?"
Andrew was completely stunned. He looked at me in surprise, his eyes questioning.
My heart tightened.
James had actually brought up the pregnancy here, right in front of Andrew!
What if Andrew said something wrong and gave us away?
It was my fault for not telling him beforehand.
"James!" I lowered my voice. "My business is none of your concern!"
"I'm making it my concern!" James looked at me, his eyes stubborn. "Sophia, even though we're divorced, you were once my wife, and Grandma's favorite person. What's wrong with me caring about you?"
Andrew reacted then, pulling me slightly behind him and meeting James's gaze. "Mr. Smith, isn't your concern a bit late?"
"Where were you when Sophia needed you before? Now you come around acting concerned."
"Could it be that Mr. Smith just enjoys caring about other people's women and children?"
"Andrew!" James's face darkened, veins pulsing at his temple. "Say that again!"
"I said," Andrew didn't back down, his tone still calm but his words sharp as knives, "does Mr. Smith have some special preference for coveting other people's things?"
"You!" James clenched his fists, his eyes vicious enough to kill.
People around us had already noticed the commotion and were looking over curiously.
"Enough!" I snapped, stepping out from behind Andrew and standing between them, looking coldly at James. "James, what right do you have to judge my affairs here?"
"Please stay away from us and stop interfering in our business."
James watched me defend Andrew, the light in his eyes dimming bit by bit.
He opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end said nothing.
He looked at me deeply one more time, then turned and walked away.