Chapter 34 Today We Must Live as Husband and Wife
My heart couldn't help but stir. For a moment, my eyes filled with confusion. "He asks about me often?"
"Yeah, he asks all sorts of questions about you. And isn't the media constantly exposing stuff about Tyler and Ava? So Zachary keeps asking me how you're doing and all that. If that's not liking you, what is?"
My heart trembled, and I couldn't help but move my fingers. I had to say, "You're reading too much into it. Zachary and I were college classmates, and we've stayed in touch. When he runs into tough cases at work, he discusses them with me."
"But I feel like he likes you." Clio still didn't believe me.
I felt helpless. "It's really not what you think. You're overthinking it. How could he possibly like me? The law firm where he works abroad sent me an invitation. That's why we've been in contact."
Since the law firm thing wasn't completely settled yet, I didn't plan to tell Clio about it.
"Really?" Clio still seemed doubtful.
"Of course it's true. Plus, I'm still a married woman. Would someone like Zachary like a married person? Think about it."
Hearing me say this, Clio seemed to find it reasonable. She smiled, "That's true. Then I feel better."
Hearing this, I was a bit confused. "Feel better about what?"
Clio looked a bit embarrassed, her face flushing. "Do you think Zachary and I would be a good match?"
My gaze paused slightly, a flash of surprise crossing my eyes.
"What do you mean by that..."
Clio became somewhat shy. Even through the screen, I could see her blushing. She said bashfully, "I think I've fallen for Zachary. He's really different from all the other men I've met before. He's a gentleman, the kind that's in his bones. And you can just tell he's someone you could spend your life with."
Hearing this, my eyes filled with disbelief. Clio really did surprise me every so often.
My eyes still held amazement and confusion. "The people you fall for always surprise me."
"Haha, right? But I really feel like Zachary is the last man in my life. And it's thanks to you - if he hadn't kept asking me about you, we might never have stayed in touch."
I was a bit taken aback by this and quickly said, "Don't say that. I don't know what Zachary's thinking. I just feel like he's completely focused on his career. Clio, I suggest you don't rush into anything."
"I know. I'm just slowly chatting with him, slowly attracting him. I know what I'm doing, don't worry."
I had no choice but to let it go. For some reason, I felt in my heart that Clio liking Zachary was wrong. I even felt that Clio would get hurt later.
But that was just my guess. I didn't say it out loud.
Before hanging up, we agreed to have dinner together in the next few days. I also wanted to meet with her and talk about how to find evidence of Tyler's affair.
-
After washing my face, I planned to check on Jasper in his room. As soon as I stepped out, I ran into Isla coming out of Jasper's room.
I called out, "Mom."
Isla's eyes were unfriendly. "We hadn't even left yet today, and you just took the child and left first. What's that supposed to mean?"
My expression was calm as I answered evenly, "Jasper was tired. I saw everyone was talking about work, so I brought Jasper home first."
"You really have no manners at all. When Gray and I came out of the tea room, we didn't see Jasper. Ava said you left with Jasper in anger. What were you angry about?"
Hearing this, I knew it must have been Ava who deliberately said that, but I didn't know if Isla was being intentional or not.
"That's Ava making things up to you. I wasn't angry at anyone."
Isla stepped closer to me, her lips curling slightly. "Sophia, I'd advise you to be smart about this. In the whole Thompson family, only Mom is on your side, but Mom's getting old too. You understand what I mean."
My expression changed slightly, then returned to normal. "Mom, you should say less of this kind of thing. If Tyler heard it, he might not be too happy with you. He respects Grandma a lot too."
Suddenly, Isla's face turned ugly. "Are you lecturing me?"
"I wouldn't dare. I'm just giving you a friendly reminder."
Just then, Tyler came out of the study. He interrupted us. "Mom, Sophia, what are you two talking about?"
Isla changed her expression quickly. She glared at me, then turned to Tyler with an instant smile.
"Nothing. Sophia and I haven't seen each other in a while, just chatting."
Tyler didn't suspect anything. Instead, he said to me, "Sophia, go back to the room and sleep."
Last night I had simply moved my things to Tyler's room. Until Isla and Gray left, we had to sleep in the same room.
Actually, I thought it was unnecessary. Isla and Gray probably didn't care whether we slept in separate rooms or not. In their hearts, I wasn't their daughter-in-law anyway.
When we got to the room, I spread out my blanket and pillow on the sofa. Tyler closed the door and followed right behind me.
"What are you doing?"
I answered without turning around, "I'm sleeping on the sofa. You sleep on the bed. Don't worry about me."
The next second, Tyler rushed forward and grabbed my hand, his eyes filled with coldness. "Sophia, have you made enough of a scene?"
Watching him get angry in front of me, I felt nothing inside, because no matter what he did, it all looked like acting to me.
"How am I making a scene?"
"You keep refusing to let me touch you, and now you want to sleep on the sofa. What's with you lately?" Tyler's eyes were ice cold.
I had no expression, just answered flatly, "I think this is fine. I don't know what you're unhappy about."
"Fine? This is how you treat your husband?"
Hearing the word "husband," I almost wanted to laugh, but I still answered calmly, "I think our relationship is nothing beyond the title of husband and wife. You should know what I mean by that."
Tyler's eyes instantly went cold. He didn't answer my question, but said, "Tonight, whether you want to or not, we're having sex."
With that, he scooped me up and threw me on the bed, then pressed himself on top of me.
I cried out in alarm, "Don't do this!"
But Tyler didn't care at all. He easily tore off my nightgown. My upper body was almost half naked. Suddenly, my heart raced with anxiety, and I completely panicked.
Hot kisses rained down all over my face and neck. My mind was in chaos, and I was about to lose it.
Just as he was about to remove my last layer of defense, I finally couldn't hold back and slapped him.