Chapter 159
James's POV:
I didn't hold back that slap at all. It landed hard on my face and really hurt...
Liliana and Sophia quickly grabbed my hands.
"James, are you crazy? Why are you hitting yourself?"
I stared at Sophia in a daze: "I thought this was a dream."
Otherwise, why would God be so kind to me?
"James, I'm really fine. Before boarding, I got a phone call. There was something I hadn't finished, so I canceled my ticket."
Without thinking, I pulled Sophia into my arms and held her tight: "Sophia, thank you."
"Thank me for what?"
"Thank you for not getting on that plane. Thank you for being alive and giving me a chance to make things right."
"James, can you let go a bit? You're holding me too tight, I can barely breathe."
I loosened my grip a little: "Sorry, I got too excited."
"Well... you two take your time talking. I'll go get you something to eat." Liliana, with perfect timing, found an excuse to leave.
"Sophia, do you know? When I heard something happened to you, my mind went completely blank. In that moment, I didn't even know what the point of living was anymore."
"I wanted to follow you, but then I thought of Grandma. If I left, what would happen to her?"
"And your funeral wasn't properly arranged. I couldn't rest easy..."
Sophia looked at me in disbelief: "James, you..."
I took her hand and placed it over my heart: "Sophia, I love you far more than you think. You mean far more to me than you realize."
"Sophia, I love you more than I love myself." I stared into Sophia's eyes, pouring out all my feelings without holding anything back.
Sophia's POV:
When I heard James say he loved me more than himself, my brain nearly exploded.
I never knew I was that important to him.
"James, what's the point of saying all this now? It's too late for everything."
When I loved him, he didn't love me. Now I don't love him, but he loves me more than himself.
What good is this mismatched love?
"Actually, it's not that I didn't love you before. I was just used to it. I didn't realize that was love. I'm sorry."
I closed my eyes: "James, what's done is done. We were destined to miss each other."
James understood what I meant and looked dejected: "I know. We can't go back."
"We can be friends in the future, just not husband and wife."
"But Sophia, there's still a long time ahead. No one knows what the future holds. Maybe we'll be together again someday."
I laughed: "No one can say what'll happen later. But right now, I really don't have those feelings for you."
James, for some reason, smiled: "I know."
I frowned. What did he know? Why was he smiling like that?
"By the way, why did you stay? Is there something I can help with?"
I remembered the phone call at the airport.
Someone was looking for ZeroSpecter.
I hadn't heard that code name in months.
That person had contacted me months ago, wanting me to develop a game. But I always felt something was off about what they wanted me to do, so I refused.
I didn't expect them to call again yesterday.
This time, they offered even more money than before. And they knew about my pregnancy.
I was afraid they'd get angry and do something to me, so I agreed to help them develop that game.
One reason was to keep them calm, and the other was to figure out what they were really up to.
This was somewhat dangerous. I didn't want to tell James and drag him into it.
I was afraid I'd owe him more and more, and then I wouldn't be able to repay him and would have to keep being tangled up with him.
"Just a small project. I don't need your help."
James nodded: "If you need anything, just tell me."
I nodded. "The doctor said you're fine. After two days in the hospital, you can go home. I still need to work on that project, so I won't stay here with you."
James: "Okay."
"Rest well. I'll come see you when I'm free." I turned and left.
After leaving the hospital, I went back to the hotel.
Looking at that unknown number on my phone, I hesitated for a long time before finally calling back.
"I've made up my mind," I said. "Let's meet in person. You pick the time and place?"
The other party quickly gave me an address, setting the meeting for the next afternoon.
It was a private club in a hidden location.
When the waiter led me into the private room, three men were already waiting inside.
The lead man was in his forties, wearing a suit and gold-rimmed glasses, looking very refined.
But the two bodyguards standing behind him had sharp eyes and strong builds—clearly not people to mess with.
"ZeroSpecter, I've heard so much about you." The middle-aged man stood up, smiling as he extended his hand. "My name is Ernest Torres."
I shook his hand and sat down across from him.
"Let's get straight to the point," I said. "What exactly do you want to develop?"
Ernest pushed up his glasses: "A game that people become addicted to, can't escape from, keep pouring money into until they're completely drained, and then mentally collapse."
He made a throat-slitting gesture at the end.
Death.
He didn't just want to drain people's wallets—he wanted them to die.
My heart sank, and I refused: "I'm sorry, I can't develop the kind of game you're describing."
"Besides, regulations are strict now. Even if it could be made, do you think it would be allowed to launch?"
"That's exactly why we need the best technology." Ernest leaned forward, lowering his voice. "We need it to look completely legal, but inside..."
"If you can help us make this game, the payment will be this much..."
He tapped out a string of numbers on his tablet.
I glanced at it, my heart pounding—it really was enough money for my baby to live comfortably for several lifetimes.
"Why me?" I stared at him.
"Because you're the best in this field." Ernest smiled. "And we've done our research. Your current situation... You really need money, don't you?"
"If you don't agree..." Ernest's lips curved slightly. He waved his hand, and the two people behind him stepped forward.
A naked threat.
"I need to think about it," I finally said.
I was alone. I couldn't fight them head-on.
"Of course." Ernest nodded readily. "But we don't have much time. I'll give you two days. After two days, whether you agree or not, you'll have to develop this software."
A chill ran down my spine. I forced myself to stay calm as I stood up: "I'll give you my answer in two days."
"Oh, and don't tell anyone what you shouldn't. If we find out, there will be consequences." Ernest's tone was light, but he emphasized the word "consequences" heavily.
Back at the hotel, I felt panicked.
Now they had their eyes on me. I couldn't tell anyone. I was alone and really didn't know what to do.