Chapter 214

Chapter 214

Inside the cave, Sophia was huddled on the sofa, the clinking of the iron chains accompanying her movements.

Her hands balled into fists, eyes locked on the venomous snakes.

She knew she had to conquer her fear.

Sophia stared down the snakes, unwavering, as if challenging them.

Just then, the door creaked open, a beam of light piercing the darkness.

Sophia turned her head slowly, spotting William's silhouette in the doorway. She let out a self-deprecating chuckle, glanced away, and returned her gaze to the snakes.

William walked over to her, his gaze intense and authoritative as he stood over Sophia on the sofa.

He squatted down, his fingers reaching out towards the iron chains. "Does it hurt?"

An hour had passed, leaving deep red marks on her neck, a chilling reminder.

William produced a key, unlocked the chains, and extended his hand to help Sophia up.

In a flash, Sophia sprang off the sofa and dashed to the other side of the room.

Her eyes cold, voice rough, she asked, "Can I leave now?"

"You can," William replied flatly.

Without a second glance at William, Sophia strode straight towards the snakes.

She somehow pulled out a dagger, hurling it forcefully at one of the snakes, hitting its head with precision.

The snake fell lifeless, the dagger finding its mark.

With the dagger lodged in its head, the snake met its demise, eyes wide open.

A sly grin crept onto Sophia's face. "See? This is me, never backing down."

William stood motionless, observing the dead snake, a wry smile on his face.

Sophia was demonstrating through her actions that she was unyielding.

They quickly made their way back home.

Sophia hurried into the bathroom first.

As the water washed over her skin, Sophia felt truly alive.

She scrubbed her body vigorously, lathering it with shower gel until her skin turned red, then emerged from the bathroom.

In the kitchen.

William, sporting a shirt with rolled-up sleeves that showcased his muscular arms, was engrossed in his tasks.

A delightful aroma filled the room.

Sophia sniffed the air, settling obediently on the sofa, her gaze fixed on the lively street below, a faint smile playing on her lips.

It was only by watching the vibrant city lights outside that Sophia felt truly alive.

William worked diligently, stealing glances at her every now and then.

Seeing Sophia's slender frame, a twinge of pain shot through him, urging him to focus on his work.

Before long, dinner was ready on the table.

William called out softly, "Let's dig in."

"Sure," Sophia replied softly, taking her place at the dining table.

But when she laid eyes on the dishes, she hesitated.

William had a penchant for spicy food and usually added chili to all his dishes.

Yet, tonight's spread was surprisingly mild, leaning towards a bland flavor.

"Aren't you eating? Not hitting the spot?" William sliced a piece of lamb chop and placed it on Sophia's plate. "Give it a try."

Sophia glanced at William, then lowered her head to eat.

Normally, she would have praised the meal after tasting it, but this time she ate in silence.

A heavy silence filled the room.

Feeling uneasy, William cleared his throat. "Do you really need those things? Your family's old belongings are gone, what's the point of holding onto them?"

He genuinely couldn't comprehend.

Sophia blinked, and after finishing the lamb chop in her mouth, she spoke icily, "You might not get it, but you should respect it. Mutual respect is key in any relationship."

Sophia's voice lacked its usual patience, sounding flat and distant.

William observed her silently, but Sophia met his gaze head-on, carrying on with her tasks.

After dinner, Sophia washed the dishes and utensils in the kitchen before retiring to the bedroom.

Throughout the chores, Sophia ignored William, treating him as if he were invisible.

The bedroom door stood as a barrier between them, symbolizing their divide.

William clenched his fists, his eyes fixed on the door. He took a swig of alcohol before stumbling back into the bedroom.

As the door creaked open, the figure on the bed quivered imperceptibly.

The slight movement felt like a sharp blade slicing through the tension. William approached, lay on the bed, and said, "We need to talk."

"Alright," Sophia rose from the bed and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window.

The two sat in silence, staring out into the night.

As darkness enveloped the room, neither uttered a word.

William noticed the scars on Sophia's neck and fetched a first aid kit. "Let me put some ointment on those for you."

Sophia's eyes remained indifferent as she nodded.

With care, William cleaned and bandaged Sophia's wounds, his touch delicate as if handling something precious.

Throughout the process, Sophia remained stoic, showing no emotion.

Once the ointment was applied, a heavy silence settled between them once more.

"Sophia," William's voice was rough, a bitter smile on his lips as he held her hand. "I forgive you."

Those words were incredibly hard to say.

Shock registered on Sophia's face as she gazed at William in disbelief. "You forgive me?"

Was it time for her to leave?

William looked up, his eyes bloodshot, meeting Sophia's hopeful gaze with a somber expression. "Yeah, let's just forget about it all. Pretend like nothing ever happened and go back to how things used to be."

Pretend like it's a clean slate, start fresh.

Sophia's heart raced, seeing the sadness etched on William's face, almost feeling like she was in a daze.

Was it all a mirage?

She lightly pinched her thigh.

It stung.

It was real.

Sophia's icy stare softened. "So, you really forgive me?"

"Yeah, I'm gonna figure out how to love you from now on."

Figuring out how to love, how to bring joy to someone.

William's eyes were sincere as he held Sophia's hand, gently placing it on her cheek. "Can we go back to how we used to be?"

But going back wasn't an option.

Sophia gazed out the window and said, "A broken glass can't be whole again. No matter how you try, you can't go back. You know it, and you're not willing to leave. You just like the feeling of being cared for by me. Deep down, you're still that self-centered, arrogant person."

Did William truly love her?

Was the answer no?

How could two strangers fall in love?

William couldn't walk away because he craved being loved.

In this world, Sophia was the first to love him unconditionally, even if it was a facade, it still held him captive.

William chuckled wryly. "Give me a shot. You've shown me that there's light alongside the darkness. You can't push me back into the shadows. Without you, I'm lost."

The sunlight was so nice, so comforting.

Sophia was captivating, so full of passion.

He couldn't leave her, couldn't bear to.