Chapter 17
The two of them walked out of the bedroom one after the other. Evelyn looked at them with a smile, her eyes sweeping over the red marks on Sophie's neck, her smile deepening.
"I made some nutritious soup at home. Come have some."
Evelyn got up and went to the kitchen, personally ladling it out for them. She brought a bowl to Sophie, "You need to eat well."
"Thank you." Sophie took it with both hands, obedient and well-mannered.
Evelyn then looked at Matthew and patted his shoulder lightly, "No matter what, you need to eat well and rest well."
"I know." Matthew sat down and picked up his soup, "What you did today..."
"It won't happen again." Evelyn smiled and quickly added, "First time, and last time."
Matthew glanced at her. Evelyn nodded sincerely, "Really."
Sophie sipped her soup, noticing that Evelyn truly cared deeply for Matthew.
If he didn't have limited time left, Evelyn probably wouldn't have taken control of his marriage.
Given their family atmosphere, Matthew would likely have married a girl he actually liked.
Seeing the two of them truly living together, Evelyn felt relieved. She didn't stay long before leaving.
After she left, Sophie continued drinking her soup seriously. She glanced at Matthew, "Actually, have you ever thought about leaving them something to remember you by?"
The words weren't explicit, but the meaning was clear.
Matthew finished the last sip of his soup and pulled out a tissue to wipe his mouth, "Not necessary."
Sophie nodded, "I can understand that. A child should be with someone you love."
"Is that really what you think?" Matthew leaned back in his chair, his posture lazy, "You could marry someone you have no feelings for and have a child?"
"No." Sophie's answer was straightforward.
Matthew raised an eyebrow, "Then what you told me before really was a lie."
Sophie looked up at him, "You're different."
Matthew suddenly remembered what Henry said yesterday that she claimed he had saved her life.
To this day, he still couldn't remember when they had met or how he could have saved her life.
His memory wasn't bad. Something that significant shouldn't leave no impression at all.
"My parents must have given you quite a lot of benefits." Matthew's tone and expression were both indifferent, "Getting pregnant with my child would make you a hero to the Moore family. Even after I'm gone, you'd still enjoy wealth and luxury."
Sophie had no rebuttal to this.
She didn't deny it.
A mocking smile curved Matthew's lips as he rested his arm on the chair beside him, "There's not much time left. Aren't you afraid of losing all that wealth that's almost in your hands?"
"Yeah. So, will you sleep with me?" Sophie's eyes were lively.
Matthew narrowed his eyes. She had turned back into that somewhat improper, seemingly fake version of herself.
"No."
"Then I guess I'm not destined for that kind of wealth." Sophie stood up and started clearing the dishes, her tone carrying a hint of helplessness, "If it's not meant to be, don't force it. I accept that."
Matthew felt like nothing that came out of her mouth was true.
After she finished tidying up, she went to the bedroom to get her things and said goodbye to him, "I'm leaving."
Matthew sat without moving.
Sophie walked to the door and was changing her shoes when she heard him say from behind, "That guy will harass you again."
"Hm?" Sophie turned around.
"Your ex-boyfriend." Matthew said, "He knows where you live. Aren't you afraid he'll come bother you again?"
Sophie was unconcerned, "What can I do about being afraid? Worst case, I'll call the police."
Matthew's fingers rubbed together lightly, his eyes darkening slightly, "You don't need to leave."
"Huh?"
"I'm saying you can stay here." Matthew's tone grew even more distant, "You keep calling the police for nothing. It's a waste of police resources."
Sophie froze in place, watching his slightly uncomfortable expression and stiff tone. She smiled.
"Are you worried about me?" Sophie changed back into her indoor shoes and walked toward him with a smile, "Matthew, have you already fallen in love with me?"
Matthew pushed back his chair and stood up, hands in his pockets, turning toward the bedroom, "You've got problems."
"Can I still come back after ten at night?" Sophie called out loudly as he was closing the door.
Matthew didn't respond.
Sophie smiled and went downstairs. When she got to the company, people inevitably asked about those three men from last night.
They figured since she knew Henry, and Henry was chatting and laughing with the other two, she must know them too.
"I only know the cold-looking one is married. Not sure about the other one." Sophie was telling the truth.
"Ah? Of course all the good-looking men are taken. Can you ask about the other one's situation sometime?"
Sophie felt Joshua seemed more personable than Matthew, at least he appeared somewhat warmer.
She agreed. He was tall and handsome .If he didn't have a girlfriend, she could keep an eye out for someone suitable.
As they were chatting, Nicholas walked in through the door.
Ever since Sophie rejected him last time, Nicholas had been very cold toward her. Except for necessary interactions, he never said a word to her.
Sophie didn't mind. She thought it was better this way, keeping things professional made it easier for everyone.
At lunch, everyone went to eat together.
A colleague told Sophie, "I heard Nicholas is going back."
Sophie didn't know about this.
"His family is in Imperial City. It's good for him to go back."
"Actually, we all think it's a shame about you two. He really did like you, and you really are married. If you weren't married, things probably would have ended well between you, not badly."
Sophie didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
With Christmas approaching, most of the work was nearly done.
However, those staying behind were all preparing for next year's exhibition.
Near the end of the workday, Nicholas came to Sophie's desk.
"My flight is tomorrow."
Sophie looked up at him, "Okay, have a safe trip."
Nicholas bit his lip and suddenly laughed, "Sophie, could you be any colder?"
Sophie frowned, "What should I do then?"
"I followed you all the way here, and you got married without a word. Now I'm leaving, and you can't even have a meal with me or see me off?" Nicholas had a belly full of resentment.
Hearing it like this, he really did seem wronged.
Sophie took a deep breath, "This might sound heartless, but it's the truth. I've been rejecting you all along. I never asked you to do anything for me. You came here on your own. I told you right away that I was married. I didn't hide it. You like me, and I appreciate that, but I can't feel guilty just because your feelings went nowhere."
"I won't have dinner with you, and seeing you off isn't something I should do." Sophie was very clear-headed, "As colleagues, all I can do is wish you a safe journey and a bright future."
Nicholas stared at Sophie, watching her mouth open and close. He never used to think she was such a cold, heartless person.
At the company, she got along with everyone, could joke around, and never acted superior just because she was good-looking.
She was straightforward in everything she did, not petty, not coy, open and honest.
Whether male or female colleagues, everyone got along with her.
Yet this same person was now so cold.
Nicholas didn't know whether to be angry or not. Finally, it turned into a laugh, "Ha. I'm only now getting to know the real you."
"Good that you know now." Sophie smiled at him, "We'll inevitably have work interactions in the future. I hope we can both keep things normal."
"I'm resigning after I get back. We won't have any contact in the future."
Sophie had no reaction to this, "Oh."
Nicholas looked deeply at Sophie. He actually felt reluctant.
The person he'd liked for so long. This time, he had to let go completely.
He steeled himself and turned to leave.
After two steps, he turned back, "Sophie, I hope your marriage is happy."
Sophie paused slightly, then smiled, "Thank you."