Bloodbound Betrayal

Chapter 35: Mom, I'm Not Suffering

Three scratch marks instantly appeared on Sophie’s cheek. In disbelief, she stared at Lara, clutching her face. Had Lara gone mad?

“Did you think clinging to Ned would get you anywhere? You really believe this will lift you out of poverty and marry you into an aristocratic family?” She paused, then continued, “Impossible! Keep dreaming! If we hadn’t once been friends, I wouldn’t bother saying anything—I’d just wait to watch you humiliate yourself. But that night, you actually showed up at Ned’s villa…”

“I was Ned’s date that evening. Do you know how humiliated I felt? You ruined everything! I’m the one who’s his fiancée—Auntie herself approves of me! You—stop dreaming! You shameless woman! Falling for anyone who crosses your path—having Archibald wasn’t enough, so now you’re after Ned!”

Sophie froze. “You dragged me out here just to say this? And what gives you the right to hit me?” she asked Lara coldly.

"Someone like you? I slap you whenever I feel like it!" Lara looked at her with utter contempt. "What did you think I was going to say to you? You have no idea how outrageous and humiliating your behavior was. And you were probably pretty proud of yourself, thinking you stole the show that night. Pfft—you have no clue that it was nothing but a ridiculous daydream!"

"Even if I embarrassed myself, that's my own business. Whether it was a daydream or not, I know perfectly well, and it has nothing to do with you." Sophie covered her burning face and continued, "I'll remember this slap. I will never back down. Next time you hit someone for no reason, I'll return it double." With that, she turned and walked away.

"Sophie Davies!" Lara shouted after her. "Don't even dream of marrying Ned! Be smart and let go while you still can—"

Sophie glanced back at her once, said nothing, and left the school without another word.

With three fresh scratches across her face, she arrived at the hospital. The moment her mother saw her, she grew extremely worried. "Sophie, were you beaten up? Why did someone hit you?"

Sophie forced a relaxed smile and said, "Mom, don't worry about me. I was in a rush to come see you after class and didn't watch where I was going at the school gate. The snow made the road so slippery that I fell flat on my face. Really bad luck! Thankfully I only scratched my face and didn't twist my ankle. I'm fine— it'll heal with a little medicine."

Her mother looked suspiciously at the wounds on her face, then said tenderly, "You have to be more careful. Don't let it leave scars, or it'll ruin your pretty face."

"I know, Mom." Sophie quickly changed the subject. "The American specialist is arriving at the hospital tonight. Tomorrow they should be able to start your examinations and finalize the official treatment plan. I'm sure we'll be able to schedule the surgery very soon. When the time comes, Mom, you mustn't be too nervous, okay?" She said it playfully, with a cute wink.

Her mother managed a weak smile. “You’ve really had it tough these past few days. You have to go to school, work at C&C, and then come to the hospital to take care of me. Mom’s heart aches for you!” Her voice broke, choked with tears.

Hearing her mother’s words, Sophie felt a surge of bitterness rise in her throat. How she wished she could throw herself into her mother’s arms and sob, pouring out all the pain of the past few days—but she couldn’t. “It’s nothing, Mom. I’m doing great. I’m not tired at all.” While peeling an apple for her mother, she turned away and desperately fought back her own tears. “Back when we were in Manchester, you took care of me the same way! When we had no money, you took any part-time job you could find, working every spare minute, yet you still made so much time to look after me.”

“Mom, don’t worry! You’re definitely going to get better. We’ll fight this together, okay?” Sophie turned back, forcing a bright smile to cheer her mother up.

“Okay, my darling girl. For you, I have to pull myself together and beat this illness!” Thinking of all the memories they shared, her mother found new courage.

In the warmth of each other’s words, the mother and daughter spent a beautiful midday together until Sophie had to leave for her shift at C&C in the afternoon.

As soon as she arrived, she saw Lara already sitting at her desk, looking like she’d been waiting for ages.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk—was the bus that slow? What took you so long? I’ve been waiting a whole hour.” The moment Lara opened her mouth, her sarcasm rang out. The colleagues nearby, who had been puzzled about why the little princess was even there, instantly understood.

Hebe hurried over to Sophie and shot her a warning look. “Be careful. She’s not here with good intentions.”

Sophie gave Hebe a quick “OK” gesture, walked to her workstation, and faced Lara. “What, you followed me all the way to C&C? So what sermon are you planning to give me now?”

Just as Lara was about to explode, Sophie’s phone rang. She glanced at the screen—Ned was calling. She deliberately flashed the caller ID in front of Lara’s face for a second. Lara’s eyes widened in fury; she slammed the water glass on the desk so hard it nearly shattered.

Sophie ignored her completely and answered the call. “Hello?”

“Where are you?” Ned asked.

“At C&C.”

“Have you had lunch?”

“I just came from the hospital. I ate with Mom.”

At the word “hospital,” Lara’s eyes flickered—she’d caught it instantly.

“Come to the restaurant and eat a little more with me,” Ned said, clearly in a good mood.

“I’m not coming over. Lara’s here at C&C right now, sitting at my desk—”

“Don’t worry about her. Come here now.” He hung up without another word.