Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Slap

"We're just colleagues."

The rest of the ride was silent. When they got home, Sophia headed straight into the bathroom, as if trying to wash away the humiliation of dinner.

When she came out, Ethan was leaning casually against the bedroom doorframe, smiling like nothing had happened.

Sophia had resolved to let it go-but his calmness, the way he always looked like he had everything under control, made her feel ridiculous for being upset. The anger she'd been suppressing exploded.

"She's my godmother's daughter," Ethan said.

So she had overthought it.

"But I'm not Lucas's sister," she said, pouting.

Ethan chuckled and tousled her damp hair affectionately.

Sophia stared at his handsome face, confused by what was real and what wasn't. Then she blurted out a question she hadn't even thought to ask when they got married.

"Ethan, why did you marry me?"

He paused. Just for a second. Then he smiled. "Because you're great."

So not because he loved her.

Sophia didn't feel particularly happy or sad about that answer. After all, she hadn't married him out of love either. It was just. convenient. Right time, right person, right opportunity.

But was that love that had matured into calm-or love that never existed?

-

Lucas's Rolls-Royce started appearing outside the office frequently, like a label everyone now associated with Sophia.

"Well, well, Sophia darling. Quite the operator, aren't you?" Emily passed by with a cup of coffee, her tone thick with sarcasm.

Sophia buried herself in paperwork, pretending not to hear. The cut on her forehead had healed, leaving only a faint pink line. But the exhaustion in her heart was growing.

She needed that commission. Which meant dealing with Lucas-and the rumors that came with him.

During lunch, just as she stepped outside, Lucas's Rolls-Royce pulled up again. The window rolled down, revealing his impassive face.

"What is it, Mr. Marshall?" she asked stiffly.

"Get in," Lucas casually scanned the surroundings, taking in every detail of what was going on nearby.

"Seriously, if you needed to talk to me, you could've called. Stopping me like this in such a public way-did it ever cross your mind how that might make me feel?" She kept her voice low, but the anger was unmistakable.

Lucas raised an eyebrow. "I don't have your number."

Even on the project file, only Henry' number and the company address had been left. Sophia really was discreet.

She sighed and got in, knowing full well the gossip this would spark.

During the meal, she barely touched her food. "Lucas, this is making things difficult for me."

"Difficult how?" he asked, slicing his steak slowly. "Because your coworkers see you with me? Or because your. husband might find out?" He said 'husband' with a hint of disdain.

"This has nothing to do with him!" she snapped.

"Doesn't it?" Lucas set down his utensils and leaned in. "Then why haven't you told him you met me because of a car crash? Why haven't you told him you're dealing with me because of this contract? Is there even basic communication between you two?"

He chuckled. "Come to a blind date with me tomorrow. Maybe I'll reconsider the contract."

"You? Going on a blind date?" Sophia cast him a suspicious glance.

"Take it as a compliment," Lucas said with a faint smile.

When he extended his hand toward her, Sophia eyed it warily. "What are you doing?"

"Your phone."

"You're not seriously asking me to go with you just so you can scare the other person off, are you?"

"You guessed right."

Reluctantly, she pulled out her phone. He entered his number into it and handed it back, then started typing something mysteriously on his own phone, grinning in a way that made her uneasy.

Sophia was dying to know what he had typed, but Lucas had already pocketed his phone and walked off without a word.

Later, in the middle of her hectic schedule, she received a text message-it was the time and location for the blind date the next day.

-

That afternoon, Noah stopped her in the stairwell, visibly upset.

"Sophia, if it's about money, I can help you. You don't have to put up with him."

"This is my choice, Noah. My career. I don't need saving."

"Even from a husband who doesn't care if you're out at night with another man?"

"Shut up!" she snapped. "Don't talk about him like that!"

"Am I wrong?" Noah bit back. "A man who can't even protect his own wife-what is he, if not useless? I pity you, Sophia. Married to a coward."

SLAP.

The sound echoed in the empty stairwell.

Sophia's eyes burned as she stared into his stunned face. "Listen carefully, Noah. Whether Ethan is capable or not is none of your business. Yes, we got married fast-so fast you'll never understand. But even if he had nothing, even if it all started with a misunderstanding, he is my husband. And I won't let anyone insult him."

She walked away, back straight. Back at her desk, under everyone's curious stares, she sat down like nothing had happened.

A call from Lily interrupted her thoughts-she needed Sophia to accompany her on a blind date. Unfortunately, it clashed with her appointment with Lucas.

One was a lifelong friend. The other, a contract and her father's medical bills.

She felt like she was being torn in two.

Later that night, Ethan came home. He smelled faintly of alcohol but looked sober. He took off his jacket and saw her sitting there, frowning.

"What's wrong?"