Chapter 31: 31

Chapter 31

Themarie stormed into the dressing room, her heels clacking angrily on the floor. Her temper was palpable, causing several staff members to hurriedly exit in fear. But she halted in her tracks when she spotted Sonia sitting calmly in the corner, scrolling through her phone as if nothing was happening.

Sonia didn’t even spare her or Victor a glance. Themarie, seething, crossed her arms and snapped, “If you had done better, you would’ve gotten the female lead role.”

Sonia raised an eyebrow. “What are you trying to say? That I’m not good enough? Maybe you’re forgetting that you’re the one who taught me how to act. I’ve attended acting workshops every day for weeks just to prepare for this audition. I gave it everything I had.”

Suddenly, the curtain rustled and opened. Both women turned their heads toward the sound—and stopped.

Fabian stood there, shirtless, holding a thin piece of fabric, presumably part of his costume. His perfectly toned body glistened under the dressing room lights.

Sonia choked on her breath and coughed, clearly flustered by the sight. Fabian chuckled softly and walked over to her, eyes locked on his wife the entire time. He grabbed a tissue and a bottle of water from the table and handed them to Sonia, who quickly took them.

Fabian leaned casually against the table and asked with a sly smile, “Do you think this outfit is okay?”

Sonia’s face turned bright red. She gave him a once-over from head to toe before commenting with a straight face, “What outfit? You’re barefoot.”

Fabian glanced down at his feet. “Oh... The floor is cold.”

Sonia reached into her bag, pulled out the jacket she wore earlier for the audition, folded it several times to make it thicker, and placed it on the floor.

“Step on that.”

Fabian laughed as he obeyed. “Thanks.”

Just then, the makeup artist arrived, carrying a kit. She started applying bronzer and contour to Fabian’s body for the upcoming photoshoot.

“I think there’s a shop nearby. I’ll go buy you some sandals,” Sonia offered, standing up.

“It’s fine. The shoot won’t take long,” Fabian replied.

Sonia raised an eyebrow. “The makeup will take time, and the next set is on the rooftop. It’ll be cold.”

Fabian looked around, realizing his manager still hadn’t arrived. “Okay. I’ll be back soon anyway.”

Sonia smiled and gently cupped his cheek. “Not for me,” she whispered.

Several staff members squealed in delight at the gesture. Victor, standing by the door, clenched his fists tightly as he watched the scene unfold.

Sonia left, and twenty minutes later, Fabian’s manager finally arrived, holding what appeared to be Sonia’s snack.

“Follow Sonia. She’s buying you sandals,” Fabian instructed without looking up.

“I didn’t expect you to treat your wife like a personal assistant,” Victor sneered, crossing his arms. “You really turned her into your errand girl. But I can’t blame you. Sonia’s always been a pushover.”

Several nearby staff members frowned at Victor’s words. Fabian slowly closed the magazine he was reading and looked up.

“I never asked Sonia to do anything for me. She does what she wants. And I give her the space to do that,” Fabian said, his tone calm but firm.

“She cooks for us, takes care of France, and even picks out my clothes. When she shops, she always includes something for me and France. She’s independent, responsible, and strong-willed. I don’t know where you got the idea she’s a pushover, but everything she does—she does it as my wife.”

Fabian chuckled and turned to face Victor, who was now clearly irritated. “She used to be your wife, right? I’m honestly curious how you had the guts to cheat on someone like her.”

Victor shot to his feet. “Are you seriously proud that you married someone who’s already been divorced? You really don’t mind leftovers?”

Fabian didn’t flinch. “No. I just know how to recognize a woman’s worth. Sonia’s worth everything. And you... you act like a spoiled child who keeps getting his toy taken away. Maybe you’re the one with regrets?”

Victor slammed his fist on the table. “That’s not going to happen!”

He stormed out. Themarie immediately chased after him.

\---

Outside, in the parking lot, Victor kicked over a trash bin, breathing heavily.

“What the hell is wrong with you?!” Themarie shouted. “Don’t tell me you’re affected by what Fabian said. Do you still have feelings for your ex-wife?”

Victor spun around, eyes blazing. “This is your fault! Fabian wouldn’t have insulted me like that if you had gotten the lead role! You can’t even match Sonia’s talent!”

Themarie fell silent. Her fists clenched tightly at her sides.

“The Valencia family poured a huge amount of money into that drama, Themarie. Everything you’re enjoying now—it’s all my money.”

Victor stepped closer and grabbed her jaw, forcing her to look at him. His voice dropped into a frigid tone. “Prove to me you’re worth my time and money.”

He walked off, leaving Themarie fuming. She stomped her foot in frustration.

“God, he thinks he’s so talented. He wouldn’t have made it in this industry if he weren’t rich. No talent at all,” she hissed before heading toward his car.

\---

Meanwhile, near a dress shop not far from the studio, a delivery truck was parked outside. A man was carrying three large boxes of new shoe stock when someone suddenly shouted.

“You again!”

Startled, the man almost dropped the boxes. He turned and saw Sophia standing there. His eyes widened, and he took a small step back.

Sophia pointed at herself. “You remember me?”

The man nodded nervously.

She peeked into the truck and stepped aside to let him pass. “Let him bring those inside,” she told her staff, who looked surprised.

“Madam, you know that guy?” one of her employees asked. Sophia nodded.

“He’s scary. Last time he delivered our new sofas, I almost called the police,” the staffer added.

“That’s Anthony Suarez. Amara Suarez’s older brother. I met him back when Sonia and Fabian got married—he was my partner back then.”

“He looks soft, but he’s so strong,” Sophia muttered, touching her cheek.

Her staff stared at her, confused. Sophia paused, realizing what she’d just said, then quickly shooed them back inside.

From inside the stockroom, loud yelling erupted. “Do you understand what I’m saying?! Put that here! Hey!”

Sophia’s brows furrowed. She stormed into the stockroom and saw her marketing manager hitting Anthony with a logbook.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

The manager turned, caught off guard. He stammered an excuse, saying he was just giving instructions.

Without a word, Sophia took the logbook and began smacking it lightly against the manager’s head. All the staff gasped.

“Is that how you think instructions are given?” she said coldly.

The manager flushed red in embarrassment.

Sophia placed the logbook on the table. “Anthony is just the driver. I don’t remember hiring him to carry boxes.”

She turned to her staff. “What are you all staring at? Go to the truck and bring in the rest of the boxes!”

The staff jumped and scrambled out.

Sophia glanced back at Anthony, who was still watching her. She smiled slightly and pointed toward the door.

Anthony turned to leave, but she blocked his way. She looked around, frustrated that there was no pen or paper.

Then she looked at his hand and pointed to it. Anthony followed her gaze.

She opened her palm, mimicking the motion of writing. Anthony seemed to understand and offered his hand, a bit embarrassed by its size and roughness.

Sophia wrote on his palm: “Let’s have snacks.”

Anthony stared at it for a moment, then looked up at her. She was smiling, hopeful. He nodded.

Sophia laughed softly. He looks like a giant, adorable bear. She motioned for him to follow her outside.

\---

Back in the car, Fabian was humming happily as he drove toward France’s school. Sonia, seated beside him, couldn’t help but smile.

“You’re in a good mood today,” she said.

Fabian glanced at her and then back at the road. “Why wouldn’t I be? We’re going to work on a drama together. And I saw the video of your audition—you were incredible.”

Sonia blushed, her heart swelling with joy.

“Who wouldn’t be happy to have a wife like you? Beautiful and talented. Right?” Fabian said with a wink.

“You’re exaggerating,” Sonia mumbled.

“I’m not. I wouldn’t be surprised if you outranked me soon. Your acting’s improved so much.”

“No way,” Sonia laughed. “You’re Hollywood material. They’re already trying to cast you in their films.”

They reached a red light, and the car stopped. Sonia looked out the window and spotted Sophia sitting inside a dessert shop—with Anthony Suarez.

“Wait... is that Sophia?” Sonia asked.

Fabian looked. “Since when did they start dating?”

Sonia raised an eyebrow. “You’re nosy.”

“I’m just curious. It’s the first time I’ve seen Sophia out in public with a guy.”

They both turned to look again. Customers were discreetly snapping photos, but Sophia didn’t seem to care. She was leaning her chin on her hand, smiling dreamily at Anthony.

Sonia smiled too. For some reason, the way she looks at him reminds me of how Fabian looks at me.

The car began moving again.

“Do you want to stop by the grocery?” Fabian asked. “I think you mentioned last night we were out of stock.”

Sonia scratched her cheek. “Right... I was supposed to shop after the audition, but I forgot.”

Fabian chuckled. “I’ll help you. That way it’ll be faster. Write down what we need and let’s divide the list later.”

Sonia glanced at him. “Aren’t you tired?”

Fabian paused, then turned to her. He’d been up early for work and was still offering to help.

“You come home from work and still help me in the kitchen. Don’t you get exhausted?”

Fabian laughed and reached for her hand, gently kissing the back of it.

“Even if I’m tired, I don’t have the right to complain. How can I neglect a wife who works 24/7?”

“You wake up at 3am to make breakfast for me and France. You prepare our outfits. You rehearse. And in the future, your schedule will be even more hectic. You come home and cook dinner—then at night—”

Sonia quickly covered his mouth, flustered. Fabian burst into laughter. He kissed her palm and held it before gently letting it go.

“If I won’t help you, who will? We’re partners. Husband and wife. We’re in this together.”

He turned his eyes back to the road. “The mart’s nearby.”

Sonia watched him and smiled. Choosing Fabian was the most unexpected—and best—decision I ever made. A whole year has passed, and not once has he disappointed me.

Fabian adjusted his disguise and looked at her. “Let’s go, wife.”

She smiled and nodded. “Okay.”