My Perfect Marriage

Chapter28

Mother glides towards Sophia with grace and composure, smoothing down her tunic dress. Closing the distance between them, she meets Sophia's gaze, who had ceased crying and transformed from a vulnerable wreck to someone overwhelmed by a chilling coldness instead of pain. Sophia anticipates her mother's comforting touch, words of wisdom, guidance on what to do next, and empathetic solace for her broken heart. She expects her mother's disappointment in Leon's behavior of discarding her.

Unexpectedly, Mother delivers a resounding slap across Sophia's face, causing her to stagger sideways. Shock echoes through Sophia as she absorbs the impact, as her mother had never laid a finger on her before. Swaying, Sophia crumples to the ground, taken aback by this unforeseen act. Johnny gasps and promptly throws himself over Sophia, offering his body as protection. While the physical ache reverberates through her cheek, it pales in comparison to the disbelief and numbing sensation arising from her mother's physical assault. Sophia gasps, eyes widening in astonishment, cradling her face as her heart wrenches in agony.

"Mom?" Johnny registers the same incredulity as Sophia, but Mother looms above her, her sudden intent turning deadly serious. She casts an imposing figure, which contrasts sharply with Sophia's expectations of maternal tenderness.

"You will never dare to harm my son or make threats like that again, do you understand?" Mother asserts, her voice carrying palpable determination. Standing tall over Sophia, she emanates an unanticipated sense of intensity, leaving Sophia trembling in response. Despite the tears streaming down her cheeks, Sophia feels herself reverting to a younger version, overwhelmed by fear similar to that experienced during reprimands as a child. However, this instance feels far more weighty and distressing.

"There will be no divorce. POLO will never be in your possession. I won't allow it while I'm alive. If your husband has strayed, it is your responsibility to mend the situation. Swallow your mistakes, acknowledge your shortcomings, and remove that woman from his life. Haven't I taught you anything? There will be no battles over shares, no scandals, and certainly no stripping my son of his rightful place," Mother proclaims, her tone sharp and calculating. Leaning in, she exudes genuine concern for her son, her sudden transformation leaving Sophia in awe. The woman Sophia once knew as her nurturing mother appears to have transformed into a daunting figure. Overwhelmed, Sophia sobs uncontrollably, grappling to comprehend the depth of her mother's threat. In this moment, she experiences profound fear, witnessing the face she once regarded with love morph into something more menacing. She struggles to find her voice in the presence of this newfound terror.

"If your marriage crumbles, it will be your responsibility, Sophia. I will not stand by while you ruin my son's reputation or jeopardize his life. You must resolve this. I don't care what measures you take to remove that woman from the equation, but do it swiftly and regain control over your husband. Otherwise, you can leave my house and abandon the Hale name," Mother declares, her words sharp and calculated, piercing Sophia's already fragile heart.

Johnny is left gobsmacked, unable to find the words as he holds Sophia from behind, his wide eyes and silent lips conveying his astonishment as he gazes at their mother as if she has grown two heads. Sophia herself is rendered speechless, her voice silenced as she obediently nods, her ingrained compliance taking hold.

Their mother straightens her attire once more, her actions conveying a sense of nonchalance as if she had not just shattered their lifelong bond with a single act.

"I did not spend my life molding you into perfection only for you to succumb to the whims of a loose woman. She does not hold a candle to you, surely. So why do you wallow in self-pity? I am ashamed that you have handled such a trivial matter in this manner. You must resolve it before it becomes a greater problem. And clean up this mess; it is utterly repulsive. Do not come downstairs until it is taken care of." Her words hang in the air, heavy with judgment and blame. Without a hint of shame, she turns on her heel and walks away, moving with the grace and confidence of a runway model.

Sophia's legs betray her, lacking the strength to support her weight. With a strangled noise, a breathy cry, she succumbs to the realization of what has just taken place.

"Johnny," he slides up behind her, his legs framing her trembling body as he pulls her into a tight embrace. Tears silently stream down his face as he cries in sympathy for her pain. Inside her mind, Sophia repeats her mother's words, the weight of them pressing upon her. The conditioning, the burden of responsibility, resurfaces once again, reinforcing her unattainable sense of worth.

Sophia acknowledges with a heavy heart that this situation is of her own making, and it is her responsibility to find a solution by any means necessary.

.......

Sitting in the car, Sophia stares at the alleyway from earlier, taking deliberate, steady breaths to calm her nerves and collect her thoughts. Dressed in a sleek black pantsuit that hugs her figure, paired with sharp heels and perfectly styled hair cascading around her shoulders, she exudes a sense of composed strength. Behind her carefully constructed facade, she prepares to unleash her true self as Vice President Hale, renowned for her fierceness.

Despite the chaos that had consumed her mind earlier, Sophia now appears composed and undeterred. The cuts and scratches inflicted upon her during the confrontation are concealed beneath her attire, their impact minimized. She feels a sense of detachment from those physical wounds, focusing instead on her purpose and the words that echo within her mind, particularly those of her mother-in-law.

"Fix this by any means," she recalls, clinging to those words as a guiding principle. Sophia knows that she possesses the determination and ruthlessness necessary to achieve her goals. There is nothing she won't do to succeed.

Taking hold of the document file resting on the passenger seat, Sophia takes a final glance at her reflection in the rearview mirror. Her makeup is flawless, emphasized by a bold red lipstick that serves as her symbolic battle armor. With sleek hair and a determined expression etched upon her face, she exudes an aura of power. She is well aware that her entire existence depends on her ability to intimidate and overcome any challenge.

Exiting the car, Sophia walks with confidence towards the door where she had previously crumbled, a reminder of her vulnerability. She grimaces, reminding herself that she mustn't let herself break down so openly again. The knowledge that Leon did not return here heightens her internal strength, motivating her to face the confrontation that lies ahead. She acknowledges that encountering him in this moment would only undermine her resolve.

Recalling the scene before she left, Sophia remembers witnessing Leon and his mother locked in a heated argument in her study, both of his cars parked in the garage. Johnny, seeking solace at the kitchen counter, had turned to a bottle of Jack Daniels to cope with the pain, following the example set by his father. Sophia and Johnny had become the parental figures for him, and the weight of the situation weighs heavily on his fragile shoulders.

Determined to save her family from the intrusion that threatens their bond, Sophia presses forward. She knows that the burden falls upon her to rectify the situation, no matter the means necessary.