Chapter 107
In the end, he looked away first. Without saying a word, he turned around, pulled open the door, and strode out.
The door slammed shut so hard that the walls seemed to tremble.
I stood there for a long time. When I felt my knees going weak, I moved slowly, taking small steps to the sofa and sat down.
I didn't go to talk to Sidney about the transfer.
At the root of it all, James was just making trouble for no reason. He was using his little bit of power to mess with other people's lives.
I hated his inexplicable need for control. If it wasn't necessary this time, how could I possibly bow down to him?
He didn't want me getting too close to Sidney, so I'd just keep my distance from Sidney to avoid that lunatic going after Sidney again.
Sidney's situation had just started improving. He couldn't handle any setbacks right now.
I stopped going to the hospital. I just transferred some money to Sidney through my phone and told him I'd been really busy lately and probably couldn't visit his sister at the hospital.
But if they needed anything, they could call me, and I'd arrange it.
Sidney replied quickly, telling me to focus on my own things and not worry about them. They'd take care of themselves.
The next few days were pretty calm. Nothing happened.
Then James suddenly sent me a message telling me to dress up today because he was taking me to meet his friends.
I stared at the screen for a few seconds before replying.
[Not going. I need to study.]
Actually, I had already mastered that knowledge. I just didn't want to go and made up an excuse. But he wouldn't give up.
He sent another message.
[You have to go.]
I frowned, about to type a refusal when his call came through. His tone was as pushy as always.
"I'll pick you up at seven tonight."
"James, I already said I need to study. Can you stop forcing me?" I held back my temper, really not having the energy to deal with him.
Just a few days of peace, and he wants to start something again.
Meeting friends? He never took me to meet his friends before, and now, when I say no, he's forcing me to go. So weird.
I cursed him in my head while rolling my eyes.
"Didn't you always complain that I never introduced you to my friends? Now I'm taking the initiative to bring you along, and you're making excuses." He paused. "Still thinking about divorcing me?"
I pressed my lips together. Did he really know me that well?
"Sophia, forget about the divorce. You're going today whether you like it or not."
Before I could refuse, he'd already hung up.
I scratched at my hair in frustration, cursing him a thousand times in my head, but still had to go change clothes.
I couldn't really let him come to the door and drag me there by force. That would be too embarrassing.
When James came to pick me up, I opened the back door to get in.
He coughed and used his eyes to signal me to sit in the passenger seat.
Holding back my anger, I slammed the car door hard and opened the passenger door to get in.
"You seem pretty unhappy with my arrangements?"
I turned my face away without answering.
James chuckled lightly. "What are you mad about? Just because I'm taking you to meet my friends? Isn't this what you always wanted to do?"
He'd asked me three questions in a row.
It annoyed me so much. I turned to face him. "James, the past is the past, and now is now."
"What's different?" James didn't understand.
"The difference is that before, I loved you, so I wanted to be part of your social circle. Now I don't love you anymore, and you're forcing me to meet your friends and socialize with them. I find it really annoying!" I practically shouted this sentence.
James's face gradually darkened.
He didn't say anything more, just stepped on the gas with a sour expression.
I snorted.
I just said a couple of things to him, and he got upset. So dramatic.
We drove in silence the whole way.
The car finally stopped in front of a members-only bar with understated luxury decor.
He came to hold my hand. I dodged.
"Sophia, don't forget what you promised me. Play your part as Mrs. Smith."
I took a deep breath and forced out a smile. "Okay, Mr. Smith. Don't worry, I'll definitely play the role of a dutiful wife."
I gritted my teeth and took his arm, going into the bar with him.
A server respectfully led us through the somewhat noisy but classy main hall toward a large, very private booth at the very back.
Several people were already sitting in the booth, both men and women, all dressed expensively.
They were chatting and laughing, very noisy.
I just felt like a swarm of mosquitoes buzzing around me. Very uncomfortable.
Someone spotted James and signaled the others with their eyes.
Instantly, the room went quiet, their gazes all falling on James and me.
"James is here?" A man in a floral shirt spoke first, but his eyes curiously wandered between James and me. "And this is?"
James naturally put his arm around my shoulder, bringing me in front of them. His voice wasn't loud, but it was clear enough.
"Let me introduce you. Sophia, my wife."
At the word "wife," the booth went so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Everyone's expressions froze.
"Wife? But didn't you say..." The man in the floral shirt looked at me, as if remembering something. He covered his mouth, his eyes involuntarily glancing toward a corner.
I was curious and looked over it too.
And I saw someone who really surprised me—Amelia.
I hadn't looked carefully before and didn't expect her to be here.
A playful smile curved my lips. James brought me here and wasn't afraid of Amelia and me getting into a fight. How brave of him.
When James's other friends saw me looking at Amelia, they quickly continued talking to divert my attention.
"James, when did you get married? How come none of us knew?"
"This is so sudden. Weren't there always rumors about you and Amelia..."
I could feel their gazes were complicated when they looked at me—curious, amused, and pitying.
But I didn't care about any of it. They could think whatever they wanted.
James ignored everyone's surprise and didn't even look at Amelia. He reached out to pour me a glass of warm water. "Drink this. Don't drink alcohol."
I took the glass without saying anything, but felt it was ironic.
He sure knew how to put on a show, acting like a good husband in front of others, but privately threatening me with things I cared about, forcing me to do things I didn't want to do.
Absolutely awful!
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Amelia. The expression on her face was as colorful as a palette.
I couldn't help but laugh.
James asked with concern, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Seeing James being so caring toward me, Amelia's fingers tightened slightly around her wine glass, her knuckles turning a bit white.
"James, when did you get married? You didn't even invite us to the wedding."
James smiled. "She and I got married years ago. I just never brought her out before. I was afraid she'd learn bad habits from you guys."
The man in the floral shirt almost choked on his drink. He coughed several times before looking at James in disbelief. "James, you've been married for years? You're joking, right? How come we didn't hear anything about it?"
Another, more serious-looking man also frowned. "James, are you really married? Then what about you and Amelia before..."
He looked at me, and his words stopped abruptly.
Their eyes couldn't help but look toward Amelia, full of concern.