Chapter 5 So You Missed Me
The family stayed busy until after 1 AM before finally going to bed.
The small electric fan rattled away in the summer night. The house had poor soundproofing—you could hear rustling sounds from all directions, and occasionally the squeaking of mice scurrying along the electrical wires outside the windows.
Sophia had always been a light sleeper, relying on the noise-canceling earplugs she carried everywhere to block out the scattered sounds.
But the stifling heat, unfamiliar environment, and rock-hard mattress still left her tossing and turning all night.
When she opened her eyes the next day and removed her earplugs, she could hear a conversation from the living room.
"Is Sophia still asleep?"
"Yeah, I heard her tossing and turning all night. She's probably not used to that mattress. You should get her a thick mattress pad—we can borrow some money to buy it now, and I'll pay it back when my scholarship comes through next week."
"Evelyn, we have two daughters in this house, and we can't play favorites. Keep your scholarship money for yourself. Dad will handle the mattress."
"That's right, Evelyn. Keep this month's allowance too."
"No thanks, Mom, you keep it. I have a work-study job in the university cafeteria, so I don't need to spend my own money on food, plus I earn a little extra. That's enough for me. Sophia just got here, and there are a lot of things she's not used to yet. Try to improve the meals at home so she can eat better."
The three of them spoke in hushed tones, but the house was small with poor soundproofing, so Sophia heard every word clearly.
Honestly, according to the records, the Johnson family was considered middle-class—they owned a car and a house, the type who would never qualify for welfare benefits even if they applied.
But with four children in school and Mary not working, money was naturally tight.
When Sophia got dressed and came out, Evelyn and Ray had already left.
"Mom, where did Dad and Evelyn go?"
Mary poured a glass of warm water and handed it to Sophia. "School starts in a few days, and Evelyn attends university out of state. She said she wanted to go back early to clean her dorm room. Your father went to do some ride-share driving and dropped Evelyn at the train station on the way."
Long-distance train travel was exhausting, but it was cheaper, and morning tickets cost even less than at other times.
Evelyn was obviously trying to save money.
Someone who pinched every penny, yet worried about Sophia's sleep comfort and readily spent $200 on a softer mattress for her.
Sophia's brow furrowed slightly—the feeling in her heart was strange.
In her eyes, selfless sacrifice had always been foolish behavior.
Breakfast was sandwiches that Mary made, and the four of them ate happily around the small table.
After breakfast, James left for his part-time job.
Sophia also gathered her purse and came out of her room. "Mom, I need to go out for a bit. Since I've moved here, I need to update my address information."
Mary nodded repeatedly. "Of course, just remember to come back early."
Sophia promised she'd be back for dinner, then left.
Passing through the intersection where the supermarket was located, a black Maybach was parked there.
Sophia opened the rear door and slid inside.
The young man beside her had gentle features and an air of confidence. From the moment he'd spotted Sophia in the distance, his gaze hadn't left her.
"You're so heartless—something this big happens and you don't even tell me."
Sophia curved her lips slightly. "You were abroad. What good would telling you have done?"
The young man made a meaningful sound and teased, "So you missed me and you're sulking."
Sophia was rendered speechless yet amused. "Michael, where did you learn to be so narcissistic?"
Michael Green sighed dramatically. "Can't help it. You haven't contacted me in so long, I had to console myself."
"Alright, stop the act." Sophia rolled her eyes and poked his arm with her fingertip.
Michael stopped joking around. "Decided to stay there?"
"Mm." Sophia yawned and leaned against Michael's shoulder, then pulled her documents from her purse and handed them over. "There you go, Mr. Green, if you would."
Michael took them and tossed them onto the front passenger seat, instructing the driver, "Have someone handle the paperwork later."
"Yes, sir."
Breathing in Michael's familiar scent, Sophia gradually relaxed, her voice growing softer, "The mattress was too hard. I barely slept all night."
"I'll have someone send a new one tomorrow. Come stay at my place tonight." After Michael finished speaking and heard no response from Sophia, he glanced down and found she'd already fallen asleep.
He smiled helplessly and told the driver to turn up the air conditioning.
Among her close friends and confidants, Sophia trusted Michael the most. They'd known each other since they were two years old.
She'd always been a light sleeper, but whenever she was near Michael, she could stop thinking about everything and sleep peacefully.
When she woke up again, they'd arrived at the restaurant.
Sophia sipped her sparkling water and talked about what happened after the banquet was interrupted the night before, "The Smith family looks glamorous on the surface, but it's actually an abyss. Emily's going to suffer in the future."
"None of that matters."
Michael moved the steak he'd cut into small pieces in front of Sophia and switched it with her untouched plate.
"Either way, it's good that you could leave the Smith family. Isn't this the opportunity you've been planning for two years?"