Chapter 191 Whoever Disappoints Her Will Be Discarded
Michael pulled up to the Johnson Manor and, as Sophia unbuckled her seatbelt, he gently caught her wrist.
"Want me to come in with you?"
Meeting Michael's slightly worried gaze, Sophia looked puzzled and chuckled softly. "I'm just going in to grab a few things. What are you worried about?"
Michael pressed his lips together, lowering his eyes in silence for a moment before hesitating. "Sophia, blood is the closest bond people share in this world. I don't want you to give up on that connection so easily."
Sophia froze for an instant, understanding that Michael valued family deeply and likely couldn't comprehend her actions, just as she sometimes couldn't understand his devotion to familial ties.
Having never experienced true familial affection herself, she'd always hoped Michael could have a harmonious, happy household. But after gaining her own family, she'd discovered that maintaining relationships required enormous emotional energy.
She'd begun to feel exhausted. Or perhaps it was because from childhood through her formative years, no one had ever taught her how to nurture emotional bonds.
Whether it was her childhood friend Michael, or Amelia, Wayne, and Bruce—people she'd known for years—they had always accommodated her, never letting her feel wronged in any relationship.
After hearing Michael's words, she remained silent for a while before slowly speaking. "I understand that blood ties are lifelong and unbreakable. But as an independent person, I care more about my own emotional well-being. I choose to spend time with people who make me happy and comfortable, or associate with those who have value or help me."
Just as before she learned she wasn't the biological daughter of the Smith family, she still wouldn't choose to feel any attachment to that cold house or those heartless relatives. Her approach to the Johnson family was no different.
After five or six years together, it would be a lie to say she felt nothing for Lucas; but whoever disappointed her, she would discard.
Returning home this time, she had held onto a sliver of hope for Lucas. If he could set aside his stubbornness and sincerely apologize, admitting his mistake, she would forgive him.
If she didn't receive that "I'm sorry," she wouldn't hold onto any expectations for him anymore.
Perhaps because she'd been so deeply hurt by family before, she'd become quicker to feel disappointed by familial relationships. Michael sighed quietly and released her hand. "Sophia, Nate's returning to the country next week. Maybe..."
He didn't finish the sentence. Hearing Nate's name, Sophia already understood his meaning. She showed no displeasure and calmly nodded.
Sophia got out of the car and entered the house, heading to her room to pack.
Pushing open the door, she found her room thoroughly cleaned. The bedding had been changed to fresh linens, smoothed without a single wrinkle. The desk had been wiped spotless, every corner cleaned immaculately. Forget dog hair—even the air carried a fresh lemon scent.
Sophia opened the closet and pulled out a backpack, placing all the important documents from the desk inside, along with her identification papers. As she zipped it up to leave, she caught sight of a photo frame on the desk.
It was their first family portrait, taken during Christmas several years ago when they still lived in the old house. The whole family had squeezed into the small living room, everyone's face beaming with happiness, radiating warmth and joy.
Sophia picked up the frame and studied it for a moment before tucking it into the backpack.
"Sophia..."
Hearing the voice, she turned toward the doorway.
Lucas stood with his head lowered, hands clasped together, with guilt written all over him.
"Yes?" she asked coolly, clearly still upset.
Lucas glanced at the bulging backpack on the desk, suddenly recalling how when Sophia first returned to them, she'd carried only a backpack with her essential documents. She didn't usually carry backpacks. Now... was she planning to leave them just like she'd left the Smith Manor?
The hesitant teenager suddenly became anxious. He strode forward and snatched the backpack from the desk, hiding it behind his back. "Sophia, where are you going?"
Sophia leaned against the desk, glancing at him sideways. "Did you find Snowball?"
"No..." Lucas lowered his head again, guilt-stricken. "Sophia, I was impulsive yesterday. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have talked to you like that. I shouldn't have knocked over your bowl. I..."
He stood there helplessly, his eyes misting over with tears. He sniffled and continued, "I misunderstood you. It was my fault. I was petty. Please don't leave, okay?"
Her eyes flickered, seemingly surprised that Lucas would cry. "Lift your head."
Lucas wiped away his tears and raised his head. His reddened eyes spoke of his guilt and reluctance. He choked out, "Sophia, I didn't consider your feelings. Even knowing you don't like dogs, I still treated you that way over a dog. I know I was wrong. Please don't go, okay?"
Sophia didn't respond, watching him in silence for a long time. After calming down, she couldn't help but think—Lucas had been sweet and sensible as a child. Even as he'd grown and developed his own opinions, the family's upbringing shouldn't have turned him into someone impulsive and unreasonable.
The fact that he'd recognized his mistake and immediately came to apologize proved he hadn't fundamentally changed.
So yesterday, why had he suddenly seemed like a different person?
Sophia suddenly thought of Emily's inexplicable meeting with Lucas. "Did Emily say something to you?"
Lucas's eyes wavered, seemingly surprised that Sophia had guessed so accurately. After hesitating briefly, he confessed everything.
"That day Emily asked to meet me, saying she wasn't doing well at the Smith family, that she missed the old days when we all lived together in the small house. I didn't engage with her, but then she said everyone in the Smith family was cold and heartless, that growing up there meant you could no longer feel family affection."
Various divisive remarks had made him angry, which was why he'd slammed the table. The cufflink had fallen off then. He'd kept denying Emily's words in his heart, yet still temporarily lost his judgment and said hurtful things to Sophia.
Sophia lowered her eyes in silence. Lucas's mind wasn't mature enough. These past few years he'd been too sheltered, and with less time spent with family, Emily had found an opening to exploit.
She extended her hand toward Lucas, saying flatly, "Give me the bag."
Lucas's entire body immediately tensed. He clutched the bag defensively and stepped back twice, tears streaming down his face. "Sophia, please don't leave, okay? I really know I was wrong."