Chapter 5 CHA 5

Gazing into the iciness of Jack's eyes, I was aware of how blind I had been to fall in love with a man like him.

My eyes seared with unshed tears, but I would not allow him to witness any weakness in front of him. I wrenched my hand loose, took a deep breath, and climbed the stairs. My sole thought was to find a job as quickly as possible so that I could move out and divorce Jack.

I chose an outfit at random, pinned up my hair with a hairpin, and went back downstairs. I was not the type to primp and prim. I had dressed up for the Monroes' parties before in the hopes of impressing. Now, I did not bother.

Jack glanced up at the sound of my footsteps.

I wore a form-fitting white gown, my waist so small it seemed as if it could be encircled with one hand. My hair was tied back with a jade hairpin, revealing my neck, as fragile as it was. I was unbelievably beautiful. The grace that I exuded was precisely as it had been when we first met. But my eyes' warmth was now devoid of any semblance of warmth.

"Let's go," I said to him.

We walked to the Monroe residence in silence.

As we pulled up and were preparing to get out of the vehicle, a black Range Rover sped up and stopped abruptly in front of us.

As soon as he recognized whose vehicle it was, Jack's expression darkened. It was Lyon's vehicle, someone he disliked and feared.

Lyon was known to be wild and unpredictable. He had passed up the chance to assume control of the Monroe Group when Richard had offered him the company, choosing instead to start his own company from scratch. Everybody had said he would fail, but five years down the line, his company was several times more valuable than the Monroe Group.

Jack hated Lyon, partly because he was jealous. A remark Jack made about Lyon once reached Lyon, and in retaliation, Lyon refused to do business with the Monroe Group, costing them millions.

Lyon rarely attended family dinners, and Jack had been trying to avoid him.

My luck was not running high today-we bumped into each other at the door.

He did not notice my stiffened expression when I saw Lyon emerge from his car.

Jack opened the car door and said, "Uncle Lyon."

Lyon glanced at him indifferently, their eyes momentarily locking with the passenger seat before he nodded and went inside.

I breathed a deep sigh. When Lyon faced my direction, I was holding my breath for fear that he would say something inappropriate. He was known to be volatile and do whatever he pleased. Fortunately, he said nothing.

I thought I needed to talk with him privately afterward.

Jack and I went into the living room, and it was already filled with people. Richard and Marie, the family heads, were talking to Lyon. He was that kind of person who naturally drew attention to himself when he was in a crowd of people.

Jack scowled as he followed my eyes to Lyon. "Why are you staring at my uncle?"

I tore my eyes away and replied icily, "None of your business."

His coldness irritated Jack. "Sofia, you know I don't like you looking at other men."

Ever since we began dating, Jack had been extremely controlling, never allowing me to talk to other men. I used to think this was a sign of his love, but now it seemed absurd.

I mocked. "And I don't like you sleeping with other women, but you seem to enjoy it just fine."

Jack clenched his teeth and said, "This is a family dinner. We'll talk about this later."

"If you don't want me to bring it up, then stay out of my business," I retorted.

Jack did not want to cause a scene now because it would affect the Monroe Group and his professional image before Richard, who still had all the company shares.

As we talked, Marie cried out, "Sofia, Jack, you're here! Come sit down!"

I breathed deeply, pretending to smile as I approached them. I might despise the Monroes, but I had common decency.

"Hello, Grandpa, Grandma," I greeted with a smile.

Marie, who had been nagging Lyon to settle down and get married, smiled at the sight of the couple. "Sit down, please."

She faced Lyon with a note of annoyance. "See Jack. He's managing the company well and has a nice wife. They'll have children soon. And you? Almost 30 and still single. If you don't bring a girlfriend next time, don't bother coming!"

Lyon gazed at the couple with a smile. "She is beautiful."

He only wondered how that petite frame would endure giving birth to offspring.

I frowned, uncomfortable with how Lyon was gazing at me.

Jack, also, noticed the inappropriate way Lyon looked at me. It was not an elder's look but a man's look on a woman. His fist was clenched, and his body tensed.

Marie sighed. "My point is, when do I meet a daughter-in-law?"

"Depends. If I meet someone I like, maybe I'll bring her home tomorrow," Lyon replied nonchalantly.

"You're too picky! I've got a good one for you. Date's tomorrow, don't ruin it."

"Then you'll probably have to apologize to another old friend tomorrow."

Frustrated, Marie cried out, "You're going to drive me crazy!"

Lyon turned to Jack. "Jack's been married for years. Why don't you push him to have kids instead of pressuring me?"

Marie nodded, aware that Lyon would not listen. She turned to me and Jack, softening her expression. "Sofia, you and Jack have been married for a few years now. When are you going to have children?"