Chapter 59
It was past five, the sun was about to set, but the weather was still unbearably stuffy.
The hot weather, her bad mood, and now this argument. It was all pushing her to the breaking point.
Sophie stared at him, "I'm saying, even if I got hit and killed, it's none of your business!"
As soon as the words left her mouth, Matthew's face visibly darkened, his eyes becoming sharp and dangerous.
Sophie had nothing to feel guilty about, so she wasn't scared of him at all.
She just locked eyes with him like that.
"Thanks for coming to pick me up, but I don't need it."
Sophie wasn't someone without a temper - she usually let things slide.
But Matthew's recent behavior was really getting to be too much for her.
Sophie felt there was no point in this standoff with him. They weren't even close enough to have the right to argue.
Not wanting to put up with it anymore, not wanting to compromise, feeling it was all pointless, she turned to leave.
Matthew grabbed her wrist, hard.
"What are you doing? Let go!" Sophie struggled.
The man's grip was terrifyingly strong. The more she struggled, the tighter he held.
She could see her wrist turning red.
Matthew dragged her across the street to the car and opened the door.
"Get in yourself, or should I push you?" Matthew's tone left no room for argument.
Sophie turned to face him, "No!"
Matthew narrowed his eyes.
"Sophie, I don't have a good temper."
Sophie gritted her teeth, "Neither do I."
The two stood there in another standoff.
It was rush hour, and quite a few people were looking their way.
Being watched like this, Sophie felt embarrassed.
In the end, she gave in.
She didn't lose to Matthew. She lost to the onlookers.
In the car.
Sophie turned her head toward the window.
Matthew drove without saying a word either.
The two of them were just like those married couples who fight - neither acknowledging the other.
Then Matthew's phone rang.
Whenever she heard his phone ring, Sophie would think of Bella.
She was sure that with just one word from Bella, Matthew would still drop everything and leave her.
Of course, she wasn't afraid of being left behind.
She just felt that everything Matthew was doing now was pointless and unnecessary.
The phone rang for a long time before Matthew answered.
Sophie was certain - judging by how quickly he answered, it must be Bella calling.
They just had lunch together at noon, now it must be time for dinner together.
Why don't they just live together? Why go through all this trouble?
Sophie rolled her eyes.
"Something came up, can't make it."
Sophie raised her eyebrows at that.
"That's it, hanging up now." That was his style - hanging up when he said he would.
Sophie still didn't turn around, continuing to look out the car window.
"Eat at home or eat out?" Matthew asked the same question from when they met.
Sophie didn't answer.
Matthew looked at her posture, his lips moved, but in the end he said nothing.
The car didn't go home, but went to that private restaurant they'd been to during New Year's.
Usually, this place was for entertaining other people.
However, the Moore family had special privileges. The best room was always reserved for them.
Seeing Matthew and Sophie arrive, the owner came to greet them personally.
"Mr. Moore, Mrs. Moore, how have you been?" the owner asked with a smile, leading the way.
Only with this form of address did Sophie feel like she and Matthew were actually family.
"Pretty good." Matthew's tone was flat.
The owner glanced at him, eyes full of joy, "Mr. Mo mentioned that your health has been recovering well. Tonight, I'll have the kitchen make you some lighter dishes."
"Ask her what she wants to eat." Matthew knew he wouldn't get an answer if he asked.
The owner was sharp. He'd noticed from the start that these two seemed to be having a disagreement.
Being tactful, he asked Sophie, "Mrs. Moore, is there anything in particular you'd like to eat?"
Sophie was a bit uncomfortable with this form of address.
"No."
"Then I'll take the liberty of arranging something for you both." The owner smiled cheerfully.
"Okay." Sophie replied.
After leading them into the private room, the owner left.
The window was open, and at this moment they could see the evening glow outside reflecting on the pond, with goldfish swimming happily in the water.
This place was warm in winter and cool in summer, truly a nice spot.
In the spacious private room, Sophie leaned against the window feeding the fish, while Matthew sat in a wooden chair, watching Sophie.
This woman had a temper.
She'd spread that video of Harold cheating everywhere. You could see how strong her vengeful streak was.
Matthew knew what she was upset about, but he never liked to explain himself.
Besides, he'd been completely open about everything, never sneaking around - explaining would make it seem like he'd actually done something wrong.
Someone knocked on the door.
Sophie thought it was the owner.
When she turned around, Bella was standing in the doorway wearing a white lace dress, her curvy figure completely outlined, embodying the unique charm of a mature woman.
She had to admit, Bella was a very attractive woman.
"I thought I saw you just now, thought I was seeing things." Bella only had eyes for Matthew.
Matthew instinctively looked at Sophie.
Sophie had already looked away, as if she didn't know Bella had arrived.
Seeing Sophie sitting sideways by the window, Bella's smile froze slightly, then she said with a smile, "Sophie's here too."
Being mentioned, Sophie felt a tightness in her chest.
But that damn competitive streak kicked in again.
"My husband is here, of course I'm here too." Sophie turned to look at Bella, grinning, "Nothing wrong with that, right?"
Matthew sat upright, his gaze falling on Sophie. He only frowned slightly at her attitude, nothing more.
Bella was momentarily stunned by her response, then smiled, "Of course. I didn't know Matthew had plans with you at lunch, I'm really sorry."
Here we go again!
Sophie really hated this kind of talk.
"What's there to be sorry about? You're friends, having a meal isn't like him and me being husband and wife - we can do it anytime." Sophie smiled without warmth.
Bella's smile froze.
She barely managed to pull her lips into a smile, saying jokingly, "That's true. So when I ask Matthew out in the future, you won't be upset, right?"
"Why would I be upset? You can't be asking him out all day every day, right? People who know you're friends wouldn't care, but people who don't know your relationship might think you're his mistress or something. That wouldn't look too good for you, would it?"
Sophie looked directly at Bella, visibly watching the warmth on her face crack.
Seeing this, Sophie's day-long anger finally eased completely.
Bella finally couldn't maintain her smile.
Sophie smiled slightly, in an excellent mood as she tossed a handful of fish food into the pond.
She was actually a bit curious - would Matthew feel sorry for Bella right now?