Chapter 57
After a minute of standoff, Sophie responded with a sound.
Only then did Matthew open the car door.
Sophie got out of the car. Matthew watched her back, waiting until she entered the company building before driving away.
He went to Henry's law firm.
When he arrived, Henry hadn't even come to work yet. Only other people from the firm were there.
Henry walked into his office and saw him standing by the window. Curious, he asked, "Why are you here so early? Got a lawsuit to fight?"
Matthew turned around. "I bought a bouquet of flowers on the roadside yesterday and brought it home. Everything was fine at first, but she threw it away soon after."
"Who? Sophie?" Henry took off his suit jacket and hung it up, then suddenly caught the key point. "Ha, you actually bought flowers?"
Matthew sat down and lit a cigarette.
Henry smiled, rolled up his sleeves, and went to get himself a coffee. "Why did she throw them away? Did you upset her again?"
"I've really seen how fast women can change." Matthew took a deep drag, his tone carrying a hint of resentment.
"You care about her now." Henry saw right through him. "Like I said, she signed the divorce agreement without hesitation, so why didn't you go through with the divorce? Now it makes sense—without realizing it, you've developed feelings for her."
Matthew gave a cold laugh. "Nonsense."
Henry pressed his lips together. "Don't deny it. If you didn't care, would you be talking to me about this? You're the last person who wants to talk about women."
Matthew said nothing.
"Before, you wouldn't even chat with us about Bella." Henry sat back in his seat. "You definitely have feelings for Sophie."
"That's enough." Matthew didn't want to hear any more.
Henry shrugged. "Just because I don't say it and you don't want to hear it doesn't mean it's not true. It's an established fact that can't be changed."
Matthew glared at him.
"Fine, I won't say anything." Henry zipped his lips.
Matthew quietly finished his cigarette in Henry's office. "She said I went to Bella's place."
Henry smiled with his lips pressed together, saying nothing.
"I was with you all day yesterday. How could she say that?" Matthew asked Henry. "What did you say to her?"
A blame suddenly landed on Henry. His eyes widened bigger than his glasses lenses.
"Can you not slander me? I never gossip with her, okay?" Henry was speechless. "If you two get divorced, then I could chat with her. Is it appropriate for me to gossip about my buddy's wife?"
Matthew frowned.
Henry snorted lightly. "You have zero trust points with her."
"During our marriage, I haven't done anything to betray it."
Henry pursed his lips. "Who knows?"
Matthew glared at him.
Henry stared at his computer, shifting his gaze away.
At noon, colleagues invited Sophie to lunch.
Sophie looked at the time and said, "You guys go ahead. I have plans for lunch."
Everyone understood and left with smiles.
Sophie was waiting for Matthew.
He had said those words, so she was willing to give him a way out.
At the end of the day, she was just too nice.
After waiting ten minutes, Matthew hadn't called or texted.
Sophie didn't know if he had forgotten what time she got off work.
After waiting another ten minutes, the phone rang.
She let it ring for a while before answering. She needed to show some attitude—she couldn't act like nothing happened just because he was trying to make up.
"Hello." Sophie's tone was flat.
"I have something going on at noon, can't have lunch with you."
Sophie's good temper had lasted half an hour, and now her anger was coming back.
She didn't want him to think she'd been waiting, so she said, "I already ate."
There was silence on the other end.
"Okay," Matthew said.
Hearing this, Sophie hung up directly.
If it wasn't her own phone, she really wanted to smash it.
Sophie stood up and took several deep breaths before she could let out that frustration.
She had originally planned to just eat a sandwich and go back to the office, but she'd told her colleagues she had plans.
Sophie thought for a moment, then called Emily to ask if she'd eaten.
As it happened, Emily hadn't eaten yet and was near her company.
The two met up, and Emily looked at the restaurant. "Western food? Such a formal lunch?"
"I haven't been here yet. My treat."
"So generous." Emily teased.
Sophie smiled.
The two took the glass elevator. When they got off, they were at the restaurant.
The melodious violin music and beautiful romantic decor lifted their spirits, as if all worries had disappeared and they'd found emotional peace here.
"I have to say, this really has atmosphere," Emily whispered to Sophie. "Just don't know how the food is."
"We'll find out."
The two followed the server to a window seat.
As soon as they walked over, Sophie stopped in her tracks.
Emily noticed and curiously followed her gaze.
"Your husband... that woman is... that ex?" Emily frowned.
Sophie let out a breath from deep within. She acted like she hadn't seen them. "Ignore him."
After they sat down, Emily's seat gave her a direct view of Matthew's table.
"He's looking over here," Emily said. "Do you think he knows it's you sitting across from me?"
Sophie flipped through the menu and snorted lightly. "Doesn't matter."
What had she been expecting anyway?
"That woman is looking over too. You should have asked a guy to eat with you," Emily said through gritted teeth.
Sophie laughed.
"Forget it." After ordering, she handed the menu to Emily. "Order."
Emily handed it straight to the server. "Two of the same, thanks."
"What's the situation between him and his ex now? You're not even divorced yet, and he's getting this close to her. Who is he being irresponsible to?" Emily was a bit angry.
Sophie immediately corrected her. "It doesn't affect me at all. I signed the divorce agreement with him, so as far as I'm concerned, I'm divorced from him."
"Divorced but still letting him live at your place?" Emily punctured this self-deceiving lie, then realized something. "You've been off today. Did something happen?"
"No." Sophie was stubborn. "What could happen between him and me? Don't mention irrelevant people, it's a waste of breath."
Emily stared at her.
Sophie frowned. "What?"
"You know what you seem like right now? Like a little wronged wife who's been hurt but is holding it in and won't let it out." Emily narrowed her eyes. "You're holding back anger inside."
"No, I'm not."
Just then, her phone vibrated.
Sophie opened Facebook. It was from Matthew.
Matthew: [Didn't you say you already ate?]