Chapter 115
James's POV:
Feeling Sophia's steady breathing, I opened my eyes and looked down at her.
She was asleep.
When she slept, she didn't look as cold as usual. Lying on her side, her lips slightly pouted, she looked kind of cute.
I couldn't help pinching her cheek.
She made a soft sound.
I chuckled.
Then something happened - her brow suddenly furrowed, and her hand moved to her stomach: "Baby, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Mommy was useless, couldn't protect you..."
My heart instantly fell from heaven to hell. The loss of that child had caused her such deep pain.
My chest felt damp. I touched her face and felt moisture - she was crying.
I gently patted her back: "Sophia, I'm sorry..."
I felt terrible too about not believing Sophia back then, not protecting her, and the child.
Unfortunately, saying more now was useless. From now on, I would prove to her through my actions that I would take good care of her.
As long as she would be my wife properly and stop making me so anxious.
I rested my chin gently on her head, patting her softly, and fell asleep with her.
Sophia's POV:
The next morning, I was woken by the doorbell.
I opened my eyes and found myself still in James's arms.
He hadn't woken up yet, sleeping deeply, his arm still draped over my waist.
I gently moved his hand away and got up to answer the door.
Outside was Liliana, carrying breakfast.
"Sophia, I brought you..." Her words stopped abruptly when she saw James behind me.
James had been woken by my movement and was walking out of the bedroom. He was still wearing yesterday's shirt, collar open, hair a bit messy.
"James! What are you doing here!" Liliana exploded instantly, throwing the breakfast on the ground and rushing over to hit him. "You jerk! Sophia's still not well. What did you do to her!"
James easily dodged her fist, frowning: "Liliana, what are you making a fuss about so early in the morning?"
"I'm making a fuss? You have the nerve to say I'm making a fuss?" Liliana's eyes turned red with anger. "Look at Sophia's face, how pale she is! And you still wore her out? Are you even human!"
"I didn't," James said.
"You didn't? Then why are you here looking like this?" Liliana didn't believe him at all. "I'm telling you, James, if you dare bully Sophia again, I'll fight you!"
With that, she lunged at him again.
This time, James didn't dodge, letting her hit him a few times before grabbing her wrists: "That's enough."
Liliana struggled: "Let go of me! You jerk!"
Watching this scene, I just felt a headache coming on.
"Liliana," I spoke up. "He really didn't do anything to me."
Liliana stopped and looked at me: "Really?"
"Really." I nodded. "He just stayed here for one night."
"Stayed here?" Liliana's eyes widened. "He has his own home, why wouldn't he sleep there? Why squeeze in here with you? He must have bad intentions!"
James's expression darkened: "Liliana, watch your words."
"Watch what? Am I wrong?" Liliana shook off his hand and ran to my side, protecting me. "Sophia, don't be afraid. With me here, he won't dare bully you."
I patted her hand: "I'm really fine."
"And you really are wronging him. He came over just to take care of me, that's all."
Liliana looked at me suspiciously, then at James: "Really?"
"Really." I nodded.
Only then did Liliana calm down a bit, but she still glared at James warily: "I'm here now, you're not needed. You can leave now, right?"
James glanced at me: "I haven't had breakfast yet."
"Go eat at your own home!" Liliana said irritably.
"This is my home," James said naturally.
"You!" Liliana was about to explode again.
"Okay, okay." I quickly smoothed things over. "Liliana, you brought a lot. I can't finish it all by myself. Why don't we eat together?"
Only then did Liliana remember the breakfast she'd thrown on the ground. She picked it up and checked: "Good thing the bag didn't break. It's still edible."
We sat at the dining table for breakfast.
Liliana kept glaring at James while James calmly ate his portion.
After breakfast, James stood up: "I'm going to the office."
"Good, leave already," Liliana said immediately.
James ignored her and looked at me: "Rest well. I'll come check on you tonight."
"You don't need to come," I said.
He ignored me and turned to leave.
At the door, he stopped and looked back at Liliana: "You, come out with me."
"Why should I?" Liliana said defiantly.
"I have something to tell you." James finished speaking and walked out directly.
Liliana hesitated, but still followed him out.
I waited at home for a while before Liliana came back, holding a card.
"What's this?" I asked.
"James gave it to me." Liliana put the card on the table. "He said to take good care of you, buy whatever you want, eat whatever you want, don't worry about money."
I looked at the card, my heart a mix of emotions.
"What else did he say?" I asked.
"He also said..." Liliana hesitated, then waved her hand dismissively. "Just some nonsense. Telling you would just hurt your ears."
After speaking, Liliana looked at me, wanting to say something but hesitating.
"Sophia, let me ask you something. Don't get mad."
"Go ahead."
"Do you still like James?" Liliana asked.
I froze.
Did I still like James?
I didn't know.
I couldn't love him, but I couldn't truly hate him either.
This feeling was complicated. I didn't know how to explain it.
"I don't know," I answered honestly.
Liliana sighed: "Do you know what James said outside just now?"
"I asked him if he liked you, and he actually said he doesn't like stubborn, disobedient women."
"Isn't that basically saying he doesn't like you?"
"I was so angry when I heard that, but I couldn't beat him up, so I could only curse at him a few times to vent for you."
"You..." Liliana was afraid I'd be sad, staring at me. "You absolutely cannot be sad over this kind of jerk."
I smiled: "Liliana, you don't need to comfort me. I stopped caring about this a long time ago."
"Sophia, don't be fooled by this jerk," Liliana said seriously. "Sure, he cares whether you've eaten, cares about your health, gets angry when you're hurt, runs over to see you in the middle of the night."
"But what does that prove? Maybe it's just out of responsibility or guilt."
I smiled: "I understand. You don't need to worry about this."
Liliana looked at me, her eyes suddenly turning red: "Sophia, are you very sad?"
"I'm not." I hugged her. "Liliana, I won't be sad over someone who's not worth it anymore."
Liliana hugged me tightly.
She stayed with me for a while before leaving.
I was alone at home, looking at the empty house, feeling empty inside too.