Chapter 112
Matthew was fierce and relentless, though fortunately, he showed some restraint and didn't completely exhaust her.
An hour later, Matthew looked at her hand. "Put the ring back on later."
Those fair fingers looked bare without it.
Sophie couldn't bring herself to look at her own hands, but Matthew was massaging her fingers. His movements, though unconventional, did help relieve the fatigue.
"There's no need." They were getting divorced anyway, so why wear a ring?
Matthew was in an excellent mood. "As long as we haven't filed for divorce, you're still married."
Divorce was impossible.
Matthew didn't say this out loud, afraid she'd make a scene.
He'd already wasted two days. He didn't want the rest of the trip to be unpleasant.
"What's the point?" What could a ring represent anyway?
"It reminds you that you're my wife." Matthew carefully rubbed hand cream into her hands.
Sophie hated how casual he seemed right now. Her tone was sharp. "Soon to be ex-wife."
Matthew acted like he didn't hear.
He carried her back to the bed.
Sophie saw the mess by the bed and looked away.
Matthew silently cleaned everything up, went to take a shower, and after changing clothes, brought her some clothes too. "Get changed. I'm taking you out."
"I'm not going."
"We came here to have fun, not to stay in the room all day." Seeing her still being stubborn, Matthew said, "There's only one kind of fun to be had in the room. Want to continue?"
Sophie immediately glared at him.
Matthew glanced at the clothes. "Go out or stay in the room—your choice. Either works for me."
"Shameless." Sophie was furious. She grabbed the clothes and headed for the bathroom.
Matthew pulled her hand. "Change here."
"No!"
"Were you just all talk before?" Matthew's dark eyes roamed over her, teasing. "After all that, what's there to hide?"
Sophie shook off his hand. "Mind your own business."
Matthew's lips curved up.
Sophie changed in the bathroom. She deliberately checked the red marks on her body. The ones on her neck had faded, but the ones on her chest were still there.
Seeing those marks, Sophie couldn't help cursing Matthew a few more times.
Matthew carried Sophie's bag, and as soon as they left the room, he took her hand.
Sophie struggled.
Matthew gripped tighter, ignoring her glare as he pressed the elevator button.
In the elevator, Sophie kept trying to shake off his hand.
Matthew let her try, as if she were just playing around.
After they got out of the elevator, Sophie had given up.
This man could be completely unreasonable sometimes.
The hotel manager saw Matthew and immediately handed over the car keys. "Mr. Moore, the car is parked outside."
"Thanks." Matthew took the keys and led Sophie to the parking lot.
"We're going somewhere farther today." Matthew opened the car door, letting her get in first. "If it gets too late tonight, we won't come back."
"Like I have a choice anyway." Sophie fastened her seatbelt.
With her period here, she didn't have to worry about getting pregnant. Her mood improved, and with it came more interest in seeing the island.
The car drove along the highway, sea breeze blowing, and everywhere, people dressed lightly, couples embracing everywhere you looked.
Sophie kept watching the scenery outside. No skyscrapers, everyone relaxed, living carefree lives here without scheming or politics.
"How did you find this place?" Sophie was curious. It was so off the beaten path.
"I knew about it before, just never had the chance to come."
Sophie leaned against the window, enjoying the comfort of the sea breeze. "People living here must have a really high happiness index."
"You want to live here?"
"No." Sophie could tell the difference between fantasy and reality.
This kind of life was nice to imagine.
Reality was, she had to keep surviving in the harsh world, trying her best to live comfortably and freely.
This relaxed, carefree, mindless lifestyle was better kept brief without financial support.
After driving for a while, the car stopped.
This place was different from the hotel area. Many people had set up tents with small tables outside, with drinks and food—they were camping.
"Are we here to watch other people drink and eat?" Sophie got out of the car, somewhat envious of these people.
They hadn't prepared anything. What were they doing here?
Matthew opened the trunk and took things out.
Sophie walked over. Tent, barbecue grill, juice and drinks, thermos—everything was there.
"Go play. I'll call you when I'm done." Matthew started setting up the tent first.
He was treating her like a child.
Sophie wanted to leave, but being in an unfamiliar place, she didn't feel safe.
She watched Matthew roll up his sleeves to set up the tent, the instruction manual tossed aside.
She picked up the manual. Just reading those text instructions made her frown.
By the time she finished reading the manual, Matthew's tent was already taking shape.
Now Sophie had to take notice.
Her eyes followed Matthew's movements. Each time he completed a detail, her eyebrows lifted.
When the tent was fully erected, her eyes brightened.
Women admired men with strong practical skills, and she was no exception.
Matthew took out a large package from the back seat. Inside was a thin blanket and pillows. Once laid out, it was just like a hotel bed.
Sophie hadn't expected him to prepare so much.
"So you never planned on going back when we came out."
"If you want to go back, that's fine. We can pack up." Matthew didn't find it troublesome. He just thought that with her body uncomfortable, lying here would be better than lying in the car.
Sophie didn't want to go back to the hotel.
Matthew set up the barbecue grill. The food was all prepared—they just needed to start the fire.
Sophie tried to help, but Matthew wouldn't let her.
People nearby saw them and came over to say hello, praising Matthew to Sophie.
Everyone has vanity. When a man is praised, it's really the woman being envied.
Sophie smiled and exchanged pleasantries with them. Foreigners were very direct. "Your husband is amazing! You're so lucky!"
"Yes." In these compliments, Sophie forgot she was supposed to be divorcing Matthew.
Matthew finished grilling the food and shared it with the people around them.
Each country had different cooking methods and flavors. As they ate, they gave Matthew thumbs up.
Here, Matthew had shed his usual cold demeanor.
He handed Sophie meat skewers, then chatted with a talkative foreigner.
Matthew's pronunciation was pleasant, his speech fast, as if he were from the same country as the other person.
Sophie found it tiring to listen and simply stopped.
After she finished one skewer, Matthew gave her another, completely doting on her like a child.
He gave her warm juice without forgetting about her while chatting with others.
He didn't neglect her just because he was talking to someone else.
In this moment, Sophie also forgot they were getting divorced.
Even when other women kept looking at her with envious eyes, her vanity was completely satisfied.