Playing Mrs. Beckett

Chapter 7

The next thing Sophie knew, they were on a trip to Long Island.

It was summer, and the beach provided a perfect summer escapade. Sophie heard the name a lot, and had been curious for a long time. Finally, one more thing to cross from her to-do list in America.

When they started driving, it was dark, so Adrian had insisted on Long Island. It was a short, an hour and a half drive. Perfect for this kind of impromptu trip. Sophie said nothing. She was just nodding, going along with it.

The entire drive, Adrian had played a lot of music. Nostalgic ones, those that reminded them of simpler times.

“Do you remember this, darling?” Adrian said, turning up the volume slightly. Just The Way You Are flowed out of the speaker, bringing along memories of their youth. This used to be their song, one of the tracks that Adrian added to their playlist. Because you’re amazing, Sophie, he had said.

Sophie smiled, bobbing her head. She never knew how hard it actually was, trying to appear normal. Like their previous conversation meant nothing at all. Like Julia Hall didn’t exist in their life.

They pulled up at an inn, quickly grabbing the best suite room they could find.

It was late, so they only walked on the beach for a while before hitting the bed.

When Sophie came out of the shower, she saw Adrian on the bed, inviting her to cuddle. She had no reason to refuse, so she surrendered herself, inhaling that familiar scent of oud and musk. Good. It was there again.

Before long, sleepiness took her.

Though, not for long.

Sophie felt the weight shifted, but she stayed still, back against Adrian. Her eyes were closed, but her ears stood alert.

It was almost midnight. Adrian took his phone, dialing a number. It didn’t take long for the call to connect, as if the recipient was waiting for this exact call.

“Hey,” Adrian said in a whisper. “I know. I’m sorry. You know how it is.”

Sophie held her breath.

“Yeah, we need to be careful. Why did you even provoke her this morning, silly? She’s suspicious now.”

Sophie’s heart dropped. She was right. They were more alert now. She shouldn’t have said anything back at the park.

It was something in Adrian’s voice. Tender and caring even when he called her ‘silly’, like it was a cute pet name. Like how he always called Sophie ‘darling’.

“Yeah, of course I’ll make it up to you.”

There was silence for a while before Adrian finally said, “Happy Birthday, Lia.”

“There, I’m the first one to congratulate you. Happy?”

Sophie could almost hear his smile, and her breath hitched even more.

“Yeah,” Adrian said, his voice forlorn. “I wish I was there, too.”

A pause, then, “Right now?” He sounded surprised, but then playfully scolded, “What a naughty girl.”

Sophie almost gasped. That sultry, seductive voice Sophie had thought she was the only one to ever hear? Adrian let Julia Hall hear it?

Then she heard fabric shuffling, followed by gasps and moans. Adrian had tried his best to stifle it, but it was to no effect. Sophie heard it all loud and clear, because how could she miss it? It was his voice, one she thought had belonged to only them and no one else.

“Oh, how I wish I was inside you right now,” Adrian groaned, his breathing ragged. More dirty talk followed, until finally he erupted and silence settled.

“Just you wait, Lia,” Adrian said after his breath steadied. “Of course there’s more.”

“Next year.”

“Next year, I won’t miss it.”

Sophie froze, and she forgot how to breathe. Next thing she heard, the door to the bathroom was closed, followed by the sound of trickling water. Only then did she inhale—so difficult, like there was a rope coiled around her lungs. Her tears flowed, and she desperately held back her sobs.

Next year. They had planned for a ‘next year’.

How dare he. How dare he act as a perfect husband while doing such… disgusting thing. And right next to her, too!

Sophie calmed her breath, her eyes bloodshot towards the bathroom door. One chance, Adrian. You only have one, and you just had to blow it with such a disgusting farce.

Her hands still trembled as she reached for her phone, fingers readily opened her brother’s contact.

“Send the lawyer.”