Chapter 43
Claire was visibly taken aback, and a glint of astonishment flickered through her eyes. In her mind, any decent man with a hint of pride would never suffer his wife’s infidelity, much less deliberately hand her over to another man’s bed. She was shocked by Jason’s callous disregard.
“If Jason could be so ruthless with Sophia, there’s little thance he would save Lucas. But I only have one son. He’s my only support for old age. I can’t just stand by and watch him die out there, she thought.
“Sophia, help me, please,” Claire pleaded. “If anything were to happen to your brother, I couldn’t bear to go on.”
A wave of disappointment passed through Sophia as she fought to control her trembling body, and the pain in her heart intensified. She instinctively clutched onto her heart. I’ve already said what will happen if I beg Jason–he will force me into another man’s arms. Why does she still press me? Am I so worthless to them that they can just trample all over me?‘ she thought.
Mom. I’ve already said Jason’s tired of me. My body can’t produce anything of value anymore. If I go to him, he’ll just hand me off to someone else’s bed. Do you really want to watch your daughter be reduced to a plaything to them!” said Sophia
Claire’s eyes showed a flicker of hesitation, but the image of her son, beaten and bloodied, steeled her resolve. The Taylor family had taken care of Sophia for more than ten years. She thought it was time Sophia repaid that debt.
“If you were capable, you’d have kept your husband’s heart. It’s just sleeping with someone, Sophia. Endure it, and it will be over. Jason doesn’t care, so what’s the point of you insisting on staying clean and virtuous?” Claire said.
Sophia felt as though her heart had crumbled into pieces. She gripped her chest as if holding together the pieces, the pain spreading through her, making her feel unsteady. “Mom, you’re dragging my dignity through the mud, pushing me toward death. Don’t you feel any pain treating your own daughter like this?”
Claire gazed at Sophia’s eyes, which were filled with vulnerability and pain, and felt an unexpected tightness in her chest. She averted her gaze. Even though she didn’t have a strong emotional bond with Sophia, seeing her enduring such pain was somehow still unbearable.
After a few seconds of deafening silence, Claire slowly knelt down. I beg you. I can’t just watch your brother die,” she said, her voice breaking into
sobs
Sophia forced a bitter smile and staggered back a few steps, then slowly closed her eyes filled with anguish. They’ll stop at nothing to drive me to despair. So, let it be. If I go to Jason, it’ll be to repay what I owe as their daughter. Let this be the last of my compromises‘ she thought internally. “Alright, I’ll go. I’ll plead with Jason. No one could understand the immense courage it took for her to cast aside the last remnants of her dignity to utter those words. Life, for her, was worse than death.
It was a tranquil Saturday, and Jason did not go to the office, choosing instead to work on some paperwork in his study.
entered the room and briefed him on Sophia’s decision.
Jason paused his writing, took a quiet moment, and then ordered, “Have the PR department arrange for some women to attend the dinner.” Upon seeing Jason soften his stance on not forcing Sophia to go, Eric silently breathed a sigh of relief, thankful for Jason’s restrained rationality. “Okay, I’ll take care of it,” he said and went to make the arrangements.
After Eric left, Jason dealt with a.
international emails. Then the door opened, and Sophia walked in with unsteady steps.
The sunlight filtered through the windows, casting a soft glow around Jason’s tall, straight figure, lending him an unexpected ease that softened his usual cold demeanor.
Sophia’s mind wandered back to the dream she had in the garden. That year, on that day, the sun was just as splendid, leaving an indelible mark on her tumultuous life.
“How perfect it would be if he loved me as I love him; our life would have been the epitome of bliss. His occasional tenderness over the past two years filled my heart with joy–if only he’d been truly devoted to me. However, such things are mere flights of fancy, beyond my grasp, even if i gave my life for them, she pondered in silence.
“I will accompany your client tonight, Sophia stated icily.