Chapter 96
"Just a small misunderstanding, already resolved," James answered for me.
Indigo snorted coldly, "Then why don't you tell me how exactly it was resolved?"
James probably knew that Indigo had found out about this. He was silent for a moment before saying, "Sophia really should apologize. As Mrs. Smith, she shouldn't have argued with those people in that kind of setting."
Indigo's eyes were full of fury, "Who taught you to wrong your own wife just to save your own face?"
James said nothing.
Indigo was so angry her chest hurt. She pounded on her chest.
I immediately tried to calm her down, "Grandma, he apologized to me already. I don't blame him."
This lie made me feel a bit uncomfortable.
I didn't think I was wrong at all, but to keep Indigo calm, I could only lie against my conscience.
Indigo asked in surprise, "Really?"
I quickly nodded.
Indigo didn't say anything more and let out a sigh.
She suddenly changed the subject and asked me, "Sophia, your attitude toward James seems different from before."
"Have you forgiven..." Her eyes glanced toward James.
My throat tightened. I didn't know how to answer.
Say I haven't forgiven James?
But the way we came in just now, anyone would think James and I had a great relationship.
Say I have forgiven James?
I couldn't get past it in my own heart.
"Grandma," James spoke up, his voice steady, "We've cleared up some things recently. From now on, we'll be good together."
I looked at him. How could he have the nerve to say such things?
But Indigo seemed to have heard good news, her eyes brightening a bit, "Good! Between husband and wife, the worst thing is having misunderstandings. It's good that you've talked it out."
She took my hand and patted it gently, "Sophia, James has a stubborn temper, and he's not good at expressing himself, but believe me, he has you in his heart."
"You've known each other for years and have been married for several years. This relationship is more precious than anything. You two should be good to each other from now on."
Looking at Indigo's eyes full of expectation and loving kindness, my heart, which wanted to come clean, hesitated again.
But I didn't want to nod in agreement either, after all, I had told James to his face that I would divorce him even if it killed me.
But Indigo was looking at me with such loving kindness. I could only nod with difficulty, "Okay."
Indigo smiled with satisfaction and looked at James, "What about you? Say something."
James held my hand.
His palm was very hot, even burning. I instinctively wanted to pull away, but he held on tightly.
"Don't worry, Grandma," he looked at Indigo, his tone unusually serious, "From now on, I'll treat Sophia well."
I sneered inwardly.
Treat me well?
Did he even believe those words himself?
Indigo smiled from ear to ear, "Good! This puts my mind at ease!"
She paused, her gaze moving between us, then suddenly lowered her voice and asked with a hint of expectation, "So... when are you planning to have a child?"
My mind went blank.
A child...
That child who never got to come into this world, lost because of Amelia...
My lower abdomen seemed to throb with a dull pain again. My face instantly went pale.
"Grandma," I heard my own voice, dry as sandpaper, "We're still young, there's no rush..."
"What do you mean, no rush?" Indigo looked at me with mild reproach, "You've been married for so long, it's time to have a child. While my health is still good, I can still help you take care of the baby."
"Grandma," James interrupted Indigo, "We'll think about it."
Think about it?
Think about what?
I whipped my head around to look at him, my eyes full of disbelief and anger.
Had he forgotten about that child who never got to see this world?
How dare he agree to having a child in front of Indigo?
Rage filled my chest. I dug my nails into my palms to keep myself from losing control.
Hearing James's words, Indigo became happy, "Good, then you'd better start preparing for pregnancy soon!"
"Sophia, you should take good care of your health. I'll have someone find a nutritionist to help you get in shape."
I couldn't hear what else Indigo said after that. My ears were buzzing, my heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand, the pain making it almost impossible to breathe.
James seemed to notice something was wrong with me. The hand holding mine tightened slightly, as if trying to comfort me.
Did I need his comfort?
What I wanted was for him to give me an explanation for that child who died in my womb!
Not to be here, whitewashing everything, pretending we could start over, even planning for me to get pregnant again!
I don't know how I endured it until Indigo said she was tired and wanted to rest.
Once Indigo's figure disappeared around the staircase corner, I immediately yanked my hand away from James's, as if touching something dirty, and stood up abruptly.
"James." I looked at him, my voice trembling from barely suppressed anger, "You really disgust me."
He sat on the sofa, looking up at me, the light casting deep shadows on his face, his expression unclear.
"Grandma's health isn't good. Those words were just to comfort her."
I almost laughed at his words, "So you can just say anything? Talking about considering having a child? James, have you forgotten about that child you indirectly killed!"
His pupils suddenly contracted, his lips pressed into a tight line.
My tears welled up uncontrollably, but I held back hard, not letting my voice sound too choked.
"That child died because of your distrust, because of your indulgence and favoritism, killed by Amelia."
"And now you dare to talk about having another child? Do you deserve it? What can you use to guarantee the next child will be born safely? Those eyes of yours that can never see the truth, or that heart of yours that always favors Amelia?"
"Sophia..." He stood up, trying to get closer to me.
"Don't come near me!" I shouted sharply, backing away repeatedly, "James, I'm telling you, as long as I'm alive, as long as I have breath in me, I will never have another child for you!"
"You don't deserve to be the father of my child. That lost child is a warning sign for me."
After saying this, I couldn't bear to stay in that space for another second. I turned and rushed out of the living room.
"Mrs. Smith!" Zola cried out behind me.
I didn't look back, running all the way out of The Smith Mansion. The night wind blew on my face with a chill, drying my tears but unable to dispel the bone-deep coldness in my heart.
James didn't chase after me.
He probably felt too guilty and had no face to chase after me.
I walked and stopped aimlessly, stopping when I was tired, not knowing where I had walked to.
I sat on the street watching the passing vehicles.
Later, I checked into a hotel. The next morning, I turned on my phone and dozens of missed calls and text messages flooded in.