My Perfect Marriage

Chapter32

Sophia reluctantly retrieves her phone from her pocket, her gaze falling upon the screen displaying Leon's name. With a heavy sigh, she realizes that the woman she confronted must have sought solace in him, relaying the details of their encounter. She expects that the situation is about to escalate, as Leon seems to be reaching out to her. Reflecting on their differences, Sophia had hoped that the woman would not involve Leon and expose the ultimatum she had given her. She understands that Leon's influence could easily sway her, highlighting how their approaches to challenges differ. While the woman, weak in Sophia's eyes, turned to Leon to rectify the situation, Sophia has always shouldered her burdens alone, sparing Leon from the details.

Recognizing that Leon's call serves no other purpose, Sophia declines it and shuts off her phone. She is not ready to confront the brewing storm when she finds herself in such emotional turmoil. Rising to her feet, she reassembles her emotional armor, attempting to adopt an indifferent facade. Wiping away her tears, she offers one last lingering look at her parents' graves, acknowledging the weight of her actions on their legacies.

In a mocking tone, Sophia poses a rhetorical question, imagining if her parents would be devastated if she were to let go of everything. She lets out a bitter laugh, recognizing that her father held his legacy in high regard and she is the sole remaining heir to carry forth the torch. However, she also understands that her mother would stop at nothing to make her suffer for what she perceives as a betrayal.

Returning to her car, Sophia slips into the driver's seat, her mind operating on autopilot as she starts the engine. The weight of her past offers no comfort, even though years have passed since her last visit and her parents' untimely passing. As she drives away without a backward glance, the pain still cuts deep, providing no solace in her current state of uncertainty.

Arriving home takes less time than the initial departure, although Sophia anticipates receiving a swarm of speeding tickets in the mail as a consequence. She desires nothing more than to lie down and reset her mind before dealing with any further challenges.

Entering the darkened lower floor of their home, illuminated only by the soft glow of lamps and dimmed lighting, Sophia notices the absence of anyone around, an unusual occurrence considering it's after dinner. Padfooted and barefooted, she moves through the dimness to the kitchen, seeking water and medication to alleviate the intrusive throbbing in her head.

However, her progress halts abruptly when she spots Leon standing at the counter. He leans forward, his palms planted on the surface, and his head lowered, seemingly completely unaware of Sophia's presence. Resting beside his cell phone and car key, her gaze fixates on something laid out on the counter: her paperwork and the photos she left at Celine's.

Disappointment washes over Sophia as her apprehensions prove to be valid. Celine had indeed approached Leon, disregarding caution and opting to inform him instead of finding a smarter solution. The realization that Leon had been aware all along and had even resorted to having her followed infuriates her. As Leon's head snaps up upon hearing her footsteps, he wastes no time in confronting her. Sophia masks her emotions behind a cold expression, proceeding with her plan to retrieve medication.

"Just when I start feeling sympathy for you, you always do something that turns the tables completely, reminding me that you'll do whatever it takes to win. What the f**k is all this?" Leon aggressively swipes at the top layers of papers, causing them to scatter across the floor around Sophia's feet, resembling falling leaves. With a scowl and a locked gaze, he glares at her while picking up the document that outlines her intention to sue for the loss of the contract between their companies.

Stepping over the scattered papers with a delicate footfall, Sophia places her handbag on the counter among the strewn documents, seemingly indifferent to the chaos. Leaning down to open the cabinet and retrieve their medicine, she acts as though she doesn't notice the scattered documents.

"I actually agonized over how to tell you the truth, hating myself for not being forthcoming... only to discover that you already f*****g knew and had me followed. f*****g followed. What is that supposed to be? What gave you the right? Was it all an act, Sophia?" Once again, he slams the paper down on the counter, the dull thud of his fist making Sophia cringe. Nonetheless, she continues with her task as if unaffected by the confrontation. Internally, her heart races, and her pulse runs wild, but she remains outwardly calm, resembling a serene sea despite the maelstrom within.

"So, this is your plan, huh? To drive her away and dangle the threat of ruining me over her head? Do you actually believe that will work? Do you think so little of me that you believe I would sacrifice someone I care about simply because you throw a tantrum?"

Taking a deep inhale, Sophia places the box on the counter and unclips it, opening it to retrieve headache tablets. Ignoring Leon's presence, she rummages inside, aware that his words won't provide any new information or thoughts she hadn't already contemplated during her drive home. This confrontation doesn't bring any surprising revelations, and she had prepared herself for exactly this scenario.

Frustrated by Sophia's seemingly nonchalant attitude, Leon's temper flares, causing him to slap the box sideways, resulting in its contents scattering across the counter and floor. Unfazed by the commotion, Sophia observes silently as packets, bottles, and loose pills roll under the kitchen appliances. Although the noise exacerbates her sensitive headache, she manages to hold her breath for a moment.

"Do you really think I won't stand up to you? Do you believe that this is merely about another woman and me, rather than my exhaustion from being tied to you? Your tactics, like this pointless display, only reinforce how much I despise being around you," Leon exclaims, his frustration evident in his voice.

Finally breaking her silence, Sophia calmly responds, her tone indignant. "Why do you assume the victim role here?" Her words are delivered steadily and quietly, as if the realization has just taken hold. Avoiding eye contact with Leon, she sits down on a breakfast stool, giving her fatigued legs a much-needed rest. Sophia knows that if she were to walk away, Leon would likely follow, deviating from his usual pattern of avoiding confrontation. It's clear to her that he seeks to defend the other woman and inflict pain upon her, like a tenacious dog fixated on a bone.

"So, what did I do, Leon? From the very beginning... From an age where I had no say, what actions did I take?" Sophia's voice trembles, her plea genuine. "What compelled you to abandon me and leave me to fend for myself after years of shelter and protection? What heinous act did I commit to deserve such intense loathing from you? Despite enduring countless challenges and holding everything together, what transgression have I committed that warrants your profound hatred?"

As her voice wavers, tears well up in the back of Sophia's throat. She is weary of her current existence and exhausted from Leon's continuous disdain. The fight to hold onto him becomes increasingly futile, and she no longer possesses the strength to suppress her emotions.

"Did it ever occur to you that I did not deserve any of this? That I never asked for any of it?"

Leon's anger seems to fade, causing his chin to drop as he averts his gaze from Sophia. His jaw clenches, and his eyebrow twitches as her words linger in his thoughts. However, he quickly dismisses the introspection and resumes locking eyes with her. Despite the simmering anger beneath the surface, Sophia's heart aches as she gazes at his striking face, realizing the depth of his aversion toward her.