Chapter 34
Leopold's words hit like a sledgehammer straight to my chest.
By the time I pulled myself together, he was already gone. A suffocating pressure lodged in my chest, refusing to ease no matter how many slow breaths I took.
What did he mean I'm the one who changed, not him? He was the one who couldn't get over Sophia. He was the one who bailed at the last minute! What gave him the right to blame me?
He betrayed what we had. He had a child with Sophia behind my back. So how the hell did this become all my fault? If I'd known how deep his feelings for Sophia ran, I would've never gotten involved with him in the first place!
Rage boiled over with nowhere to go. I swept the bedside tray to the floor in one violent motion. A sharp crash. Shards scattered everywhere. The crisp sound somehow brought my spiraling emotions back from the edge.
Suddenly, I remembered questioning the butler about Sophia and Leopold last time. He'd mentioned Leopold rushing back through a storm to handle something, then clammed up about it completely. Combined with what Leopold just said... Could they be connected? But why couldn't I remember any of it?
Either way, digging into it would clear things up. I could accept splitting up with Leopold, but not while carrying this kind of blame.
"Cindy, your mom and I heard a crash. What happened?"
My parents pushed through the door, both stopping short at the mess beside my bed.
"Nothing. I just knocked over the tray by accident."
Fanny rushed over to inspect my hands. "Did you hurt yourself?"
"I'm fine." I shook my head.
"Thank God." Fanny immediately directed James to clean up the mess.
Once James finished clearing the debris, I caught my parents exchanging loaded glances. I knew what they wanted to ask.
"Mom, Dad... Leopold and I are probably splitting up."
Both their faces fell immediately.
"After all these years together, isn't it a shame to just throw it away?"
"Your mother's right. Leo's a reasonable guy, and he's treated you well. Whatever the problem is, you can tell us. We'll figure it out together."
I couldn't bring myself to explain. I just shook my head silently. Fanny opened her mouth to press further, but James stopped her.
"All right, get some rest. When you're ready to talk, we're here."
I lay there staring at the ceiling, thoughts churning. Leopold clearly had the wrong idea about me, and Sophia's appearance had only made things worse.
Could Sophia know something?
...
The coffee shop.
I was halfway through my Americano when Sophia finally breezed in. Two sales associates trailed behind her, each clutching two overstuffed shopping bags. Spotting me, the associates tactfully addressed Sophia.
"Ms. Guise, we'll wait outside. Just let us know when your car arrives, and we'll load everything for you."
Sophia gave a dismissive tilt of her chin, and they scurried out.
"Leo arranged a driver for me. He'll be here in ten minutes, so make it quick." She folded her arms across her chest and sat down, radiating smugness.
I leaned back lazily in my chair, utterly unfazed by her performance. "Last time you said you and Leopold had a child together. Was that true?"
Sophia's expression flickered. Her gaze locked onto mine. "Why would I lie about something like that?"
I met her stare coolly, a slight smirk tugging at my lips. "Funny. Leopold told me you two were never involved."
Sophia dropped her arms and straightened, her gaze sharpening to a blade's edge.
My fingers tightened imperceptibly around my cup. If I could push her buttons hard enough, she might slip up and reveal something real.
Instead, she let out a cold laugh. "Trying to bait me? Nice try. Everything I said was true."
My stomach dropped, but I kept my expression neutral. "What would I gain from lying? I literally asked Leopold about this today. Don't believe me? Go ask him yourself."
Sophia's face flushed with anger. "Lucinda, your little games are pathetic. I'm not falling for it!"
Her agitation only made me calmer. "Think whatever you want. Once Leopold and I are married, I'll make sure you pay back every cent he spent on you."
Sophia's face turned ashen.
I rose leisurely, twisting the knife one more time. "Oh, I almost forgot—those voice messages you sent me at the hospital? I think Leopold should hear those, too. Sharing is caring, right?"
Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked away. Halfway out, I caught the faint sound of her calling my name. I glanced back to see her storming toward the opposite exit, the sales associates scrambling behind her.
I made a small sound of satisfaction. Hook, line, and sinker.
People always showed their true colors when they lost their temper. Once she confronted Leopold in that state, he'd see exactly who she really was. Leopold didn't have to choose me, but he sure as hell shouldn't choose someone like her.
My car was parked across the street. I'd just reached the crosswalk when a deafening roar filled the air. Instinctively, I looked up—and saw a black sedan barreling toward me like a runaway horse.
My mind went blank. Time seemed to freeze. When instinct finally kicked in, and I tried to move, a sharp, searing pain shot through my knee, locking me in place. The car kept coming. Closer. Closer.
I squeezed my eyes shut in despair.
The instant darkness fell, a powerful force yanked me sideways. My eyes flew open. The first thing I saw was a lean, strong wrist bearing a watch. The world flipped upside down.
When we hit the ground, I was completely cocooned in someone's embrace, even my head cradled carefully by their hand. I felt almost no pain. The person shielding me, however, let out a muffled grunt.
That scent...
I clutched at him, my voice shaking. "Leopold?"
"A few days apart and you can't even recognize me anymore?" A familiar teasing voice.
I pulled back in disbelief. "Leo?"
"Not who you were hoping for, huh? Disappointed?" Leo released me and sat up, rubbing his forearm.
I saw the angry red scrapes covering his skin and grabbed his wrist. "Don't touch it—your hands have bacteria. You'll get an infection."
Leo let me hold his arm without protest.
"Does it hurt?" Guilt twisted in my chest. We barely knew each other. Why would he risk his life for me? Especially when I'd been so determined to keep my distance.
"It's fine." His tone was dismissive, like this was nothing.
"Ms. Guise, are you all right?"
At the sound of a voice, I turned to see Sophia clutching her head as the driver helped her out of the car.
"What the hell kind of driving was that? Are you trying to kill me?" Sophia shrieked at him.
"I don't know what happened—the brakes just failed..." The driver stammered helplessly.
Sophia wasn't having it. She kept berating him. "Call an ambulance right now! If anything happens to me, Leo will make you pay!"
Sophia took a few furious steps, then accidentally met my eyes. Her expression froze for a split second. When she spotted Leo beside me, she immediately pivoted and headed straight for us.