Chapter 111
Sophie didn't avoid him. "Where's a pharmacy?"
Matthew figured she must be feeling uncomfortable after being worn out.
He took her out of the hotel, and after a few minutes' walk, they spotted a pharmacy.
Sophie walked in, but once inside, she couldn't remember how to say "emergency contraceptive" in English.
"What do you need to buy?" Matthew asked, standing behind her.
"Contraceptives." Sophie emphasized, "Emergency contraceptives."
Matthew's eyes darkened, but he still spoke to the clerk.
The clerk took out the medicine and placed it on the counter. Sophie reached for it, but Matthew grabbed it first.
He paid and walked ahead.
Sophie immediately followed. "Give me the medicine."
Matthew stopped, his eyes intense. "Don't want it?"
"We're getting divorced. We can't make mistakes." Sophie reached out for the medicine.
"Mistakes?" Matthew didn't understand what she meant.
Sophie frowned. "Isn't it? Getting pregnant while divorcing would be a mistake. A child shouldn't bear the consequences of adults' reckless behavior."
"Then let's not divorce."
"A marriage without love—will not divorcing make us happy? If a child is born, will the environment they grow up in have love? Growing up without being surrounded by love would be painful for them." Sophie was very serious about having children.
She could be reckless with herself, but she would never casually have a child.
"Give me the medicine." Sophie reached out again.
Matthew stared at her, gripping the medicine box tightly.
They were at a standoff. Sophie lowered her hand. "Fine, keep it then."
She turned around and headed back to the pharmacy.
Matthew grabbed her hand and shoved the medicine into it.
Sophie glanced at him. He let go and went to a nearby store to get a bottle of water.
His expression was terrible, and passersby gave him a wide berth.
Sophie didn't care about that. She tossed the pill into her mouth.
Matthew unscrewed the cap and handed her the water.
The pill tasted bitter on her tongue, really unpleasant.
Sophie took several gulps of water before relaxing.
This medicine had side effects. Back at the hotel, Sophie just hoped her luck wasn't so bad that she'd get pregnant.
"If you did get pregnant, what would you do?"
Matthew had been silent the whole way. He finally asked this question.
Sophie frowned. "I won't."
"No contraceptive method is one hundred percent effective."
"I won't keep it." Sophie didn't hesitate at all.
Matthew stared at her, his heart sinking continuously, feeling oppressively uncomfortable.
Sophie didn't want to discuss this with him anymore. She turned away, not looking at him.
After the pleasure, now came the pressure.
She was worried, afraid.
Even though she had prepared herself not keep it if she got pregnant, she really didn't want that possibility to exist.
Sophie had things on her mind. She had no interest or mood to see the sights or experience the culture here.
She stayed in the hotel for two days, until she noticed something unusual. She rushed to the bathroom.
She had never liked getting her period—it restricted so many things.
But at this moment, seeing that crimson stain, she felt relieved, happier than ever before.
"Matthew!" Sophie called out loudly from the bathroom.
Matthew stood at the bathroom door. "Yeah?"
"Can you go buy me some sanitary pads?"
Matthew paused, then replied, "Wait for me."
The tension between them eased because of her period.
Sophie was in great spirits. Finally, she didn't have to worry anymore.
Although she had said she wouldn't keep it if she got pregnant, if it really happened, she didn't know if she could actually be heartless enough to not keep it.
The current situation was the best.
Matthew could visibly see her relief, but his heart remained heavy.
How much did she not want to have his child?
"When you married me, you said you'd give me an heir." Matthew reminded her.
Sophie blurted out, "That was because you weren't going to live long."
Then she added, "Now that you can live to a hundred, there's no need to have an heir so early."
Matthew snorted lightly. "True. Having a child would mean no more time for just the two of us. A few more years won't hurt."
"That's the right way to think about it."
"From now on, I'll use condoms."
Matthew said this seriously. Sophie looked uncomfortable.
Then she thought about it—her period lasted seven days, and after it ended, they'd probably be heading back home.
Once back home, they'd get divorced.
Who he used condoms with would have nothing to do with her.
On the first day, Sophie's lower abdomen hurt. Matthew gave her medicine, then lay behind her, his palm gently pressed against her lower abdomen.
Men's body temperature seemed higher than women's. The warmth from his palm seemed to seep through her skin, reaching deep inside, easing her menstrual pain.
She couldn't refuse his gentle care, and even enjoyed his touch—it felt so comfortable.
Matthew was very patient. He asked softly in her ear, "How is it? Does it still hurt?"
Sophie didn't even open her eyes, completely immersed in his tenderness, not wanting to speak.
The right amount of warmth was just perfect.
"I'm a bit uncomfortable."
Sophie was confused. She opened her eyes and tried to turn to look at him, but he held her still.
"What's wrong?" Sophie asked innocently.
Just a moment later, Sophie's mind suddenly cleared, and she cursed at him, "Matthew!"
Matthew was afraid she'd run away, so he held her hand tightly around her front, hugging her close. "This is a normal reaction for an adult male."
Sophie was momentarily speechless.
How could he do this?
"Where did your boldness from before go?" Matthew pressed close to her. "You weren't like this before."
Sophie gritted her teeth. He was mocking her.
"Why do you hold grudges?"
"Just stating facts." Matthew's palm was still on her lower abdomen, gently rubbing to ease her pain.
Sophie no longer craved this warmth.
How could someone who used to be so restrained say such embarrassing things?
"I don't hurt anymore, let go!" Sophie didn't want to be so close to him anymore.
"Doesn't hurt anymore?" Matthew's hand stopped.
"Yeah."
Sophie just wanted to get far away from him, but he wouldn't let her.
Matthew said hoarsely in her ear, "Then help me?"
"I won't!" Sophie wouldn't listen to his persuasion, but unfortunately, Matthew never intended to let her go from the start.
She suspected his tenderness was all for this moment.
"We're husband and wife. You have obligations and responsibilities." Matthew spoke righteously. "This isn't something to be ashamed of."
Matthew sat up, moved to the edge of the bed, spread his legs slightly, and pulled Sophie onto his lap.
"What are you trying to do?" Sophie was alarmed.
Even in her condition, he still wouldn't settle down.
After understanding his intention, Sophie's eyes widened.
Matthew's breathing was somewhat rapid, burning hot. She could completely sense his restraint.
After becoming an adult, he'd been busy with work and had no time for romantic relationships.
Later, when he got sick, he lost interest even more.
He could take or leave intimate matters.
But after this time, he couldn't go back to how things were before.