NovelNext Chapter 8
Chapter 8
James Anderson led me into the Anderson family estate, his voice filled with eager anticipation. "Sophia, look, this room is for you."
The space was stunning—luxury everywhere I looked. The curtains alone had to be worth tens of thousands. The Persian rug on the floor was something I'd spotted on an auction site, priced in the hundreds of thousands. James's eyes gleamed as he watched me take it all in. "Do you like it? It's all yours."
He took my hand, his tone sweet and convincing. "Sophia, if you come back to me, the whole Anderson family will be yours."
I swallowed hard, the bitterness building in my chest. "James, why can't you understand? When I loved you, it wasn't because of money. I loved you when you had nothing. But when I don't love you anymore, not even all your wealth can change that."
"Money's not everything," he murmured, his face draining of color, like I'd taken something vital from him.
We started spending every day together after that, going on dates, making Daniel Carter and Jessica Taylor think I was playing along, fulfilling their twisted demands.
When the time was right, I handed over the fake documents. The Anderson family secured the city development bid easily, while the Carter family—who'd bet everything—was left in ruins. Daniel Carter, ever the gambler, had even opened a secret underground betting ring. Some shady figures lost it all in his game. And just like that, Daniel Carter disappeared.
A few days later, I met James for the last time. It was raining—just like the day we'd fought. He dropped to his knees in front of me, his voice cracking with desperation.
"Sophia," he pleaded, tears welling up. "I've never begged anyone before. But now… I'm begging you."
"Please, don't leave me. I can't lose you."
I pulled my hand away from his, my voice cold. "James, can you bring my grandmother back to me?"
His face twisted with pain. "I thought the hospital would do the surgery without the money," he stammered.
The absurdity of his words hit me like a slap. "James, you were born into wealth! You have family doctors. No one dares charge you at a hospital."
"So you think everyone's like you?" he spat, his voice bitter. "What should I have done? Eat cake when there's no bread? Haven't you heard the saying?"
Even if there hadn't been misunderstandings, James and I were always going to be worlds apart. Our different upbringings, our views on money—it was an insurmountable gap.
As I turned to leave, Jessica Taylor appeared, throwing herself into James's arms. Strangely, he didn't push her away. He just stood there, letting her cling to him.
Not long after, I received a call from my mother. "Jessica's marrying James Anderson," she said in her condescending tone. "Don't come back and try to interfere with your sister's fiancé."
I ended the call and blocked her number without a second thought. Behind me, Kevin Johnson slipped his arms around my waist. "Sophia, don't worry. From now on, I'm your family."
I leaned into him, the comfort of his embrace calming me, but still, I had to ask, "What if one day you change your mind?"
Kevin, ever the logical lawyer, kissed my ear softly and said, "I know human nature can be unpredictable. I can't guarantee I won't change, but I promise you'll never have to fear losing me."
He paused, then added, "I'll help you build your future, so you'll never feel insecure. And I'll transfer all my assets to your name. A gift, never to be taken back."
He gently laid me down on the bed and kissed me, his lips soft and tender. "Sophia, let's get married."
Tears glistened in his eyes as he smiled through them. "I've wanted to marry you since I was a teenager."
I stared at him for a long moment before pulling the blanket over us. For the first time in a long while, I felt like I belonged.
Years later, when our second daughter was born, Kevin took on a major criminal case. The defendant? My ex, James Anderson.
James never married Jessica. Instead, he'd been secretly abusing her. She'd taken the abuse for a while, but eventually, she poisoned him. She was sentenced to life for intentional injury, among other charges. James survived, but the poison damaged his vocal cords, leaving him mute.
The Anderson family business was taken over by one of James's cousins, and Kevin, now a high-paid legal advisor for the new CEO, had the inside scoop. It was rumored that the new CEO had set James up with massive debts. And now, James was truly broke.
One afternoon, I was leaving my clothing store when I saw James across the street. His face was gaunt, his clothes disheveled, and his eyes—filled with tears. He looked like a shadow of the man he once was.
He gestured to me in sign language. I turned away, my heart colder than it had ever been. I walked confidently toward my car. As I started the engine and glanced in the rearview mirror, I saw James's figure getting smaller and smaller, until he was just a fading blur.
The gestures he made were unmistakable: "I'm sorry," and "I love you."
But it didn't matter anymore.