Chapter 55
I put down my soup bowl and said angrily, "Can you two stop arguing? If you keep this up, both of you get out."
James let out a cold laugh, his eyes falling on me with a hint of scrutiny. "Sophia, you're kicking me out for him? Do you really like having him around that much?"
I ignored his jealousy and turned to Andrew. "Andrew, I'm really fine here. You should go back and take care of your work."
That project still needed to be wrapped up, and staying in the ward wasn't good for working.
I didn't want to hold Andrew back because of me.
Andrew was about to say something when James cut in first. "Mr. Anderson, did you hear that? Sophia is telling you to leave."
Andrew looked at me deeply and sighed helplessly. "Alright, I'll head back then. Call me anytime if you need anything."
Before leaving, he shot James an annoyed glare.
The ward fell quiet again. James sat back down in his chair, looking at me with complicated eyes. "He's already gone, and you're still staring."
I withdrew my gaze, didn't even look at him, and lay down.
James added, "Do you like him that much? Want me to go call him back right now? We can both take care of you together."
I had no idea what was going through his head—always coming up with something new every day.
"Andrew is my friend. It's normal for him to care about me," I rolled my eyes at him. "Unlike some people who only make me angry."
"And stop talking nonsense. If Andrew's reputation gets ruined because of you, don't blame me for not being nice to you."
James suddenly leaned in close, his nose almost touching mine, his warm breath spraying on my face. "Friends? I don't think his feelings for you are just friendly."
"Sophia, as long as we haven't officially divorced, you're still my wife." His eyes were deep, filled with a domineering possessiveness.
I got annoyed again.
The divorce issue stuck in my throat like a thorn—painful and uncomfortable, yet impossible to ignore.
I just felt exhausted.
Seeing me stay silent, James reached out and gently stroked my cheek.
His fingertips carried a slight coolness. The moment they touched my skin, I flinched like I'd been shocked.
James chuckled softly. "What? Are you shy from me touching you? It's not like we haven't done more intimate things."
"James, stay away from me!" I snapped in embarrassment, trying to push him away, but he held my shoulders firmly.
He leaned down and whispered in my ear. "Sophia, I know I was wrong before. I shouldn't have ignored you or let you suffer so much. Give me a chance to make it up to you, okay?"
His voice was low and magnetic, mixed with a barely noticeable plea.
I looked into his deep eyes, my feelings complicated.
But when I thought of the child I couldn't keep, of all that painful past, I immediately snapped back to reality.
I pushed him away forcefully. "Don't say things like that anymore. I'll never believe you again."
James looked at my determined eyes, a flash of disappointment in his own, but he quickly returned to his usual domineering self. "It's okay. I'll wait—wait until the day you're willing to believe me."
I turned my face away. He could wait until he was old and still wouldn't get that day.
People didn't fall into the same pit twice, and I wouldn't go looking for death again.
During these days in the hospital, James barely left my side.
Every day he would patiently take care of me according to the doctor's instructions, completely different from his usual cold and domineering self, becoming gentle and attentive.
I accepted it all willingly.
My injury was partly his fault anyway. Him taking care of me was like atonement—it was only right.
On the day I was discharged, Andrew said he'd come pick me up, but he got held up by work as soon as he left.
"I'm sorry, Sophia. I can't come get you myself, but don't worry, I've arranged for someone to go."
James leaned over. "I'm not dead yet. My wife doesn't need you to worry about her."
I pushed him away. "Get lost."
"Andrew, you don't need to arrange anyone. I can manage on my own. Besides, there's a free laborer right here—might as well use him."
"Sophia, you and him..." Andrew said.
"Don't worry, there's nothing between us, and there won't be. He's also one of the main culprits who caused my injury. Of course I'm going to collect my debt from him."
Hearing me say this, Andrew breathed a sigh of relief. "Alright, then I'll wait for you at the hotel."
I hummed in agreement.
Just after getting in the car, I received a call from Indigo.
"Sophia, I heard you were injured and hospitalized. You're being discharged today, right? Your work there should be almost done too?"
"Grandma, how did you know I was injured?"
Indigo laughed. "James told me. He even asked me how to take care of you. He doesn't say it, but he has you in his heart."
I tugged at my lips, unable to smile.
James was really good at putting on an act.
"You're still injured. Whether your work is finished or not, come back first. Come to the Smith Mansion to recover. I've already had someone prepare your room." Indigo's voice came through the phone, full of concern.
I hesitated a bit. Returning to the Smith Mansion meant continuing to pretend to be in love with James. Just thinking about it gave me a headache.
But I couldn't refuse Indigo's kindness, so I could only nod. "Okay."
Unable to refuse, I had to go back early with James. Amelia and her daughter came back too.
I had no idea what bad scheme Amelia was cooking up, but she was well-behaved the whole way.
At least the quiet was nice—I could have some peace.
James took me straight to the Smith Mansion.
As soon as Indigo saw me, she said I'd gotten thinner and had someone make soup for me. She even scolded James, saying such a grown man couldn't even take care of his wife properly.
James stayed silent, not refuting Indigo.
Indigo scolded, "Don't just stand there like an idiot. Have some sense, and hurry up and help Sophia back to her room to rest."
James helped me sit on the bed and tucked me in. "Rest well. I'll get you some water."
Indigo smiled. "That's more like it."
I sighed.
I had to say, when it came to acting, James and Amelia really looked like a couple—both so good at performing.
At dinner that evening, Indigo looked at us and said with a smile, "There's a business gala next month. I was planning to have you both attend together, but now that Sophia is injured like this, only you can go, James."
James nodded. "Okay, I understand."
Amelia suddenly spoke up, volunteering herself. "Grandma, I can go with James. I used to accompany James to these galas before. I'm very familiar with the process."
Indigo's face darkened as she looked at her coldly. "Amelia, don't forget your place. James's wife now is Sophia."
"If you two go together to this kind of occasion, what will people outside think?"
Amelia still wouldn't back down. "But..."