20

Sophia's POV

“Don’t you dare take another step,” Ethan’s voice thundered through the garden.

My feet froze below me while I was trying to remember how to inhale and exhale.

My back stiffened, and every inch of me was screaming for me to run, but my feet—those traitors—decided to stay planted to the ground.

He appeared at the edge of the dim garden lights, tall and furious.

The veins on his neck were so visible, and at that moment, I did not know what to expect or how to react.

“What the hell was that?” he snapped, his voice sharp enough to cut glass. “You think this is a damn comedy show or what?”

“I—I don’t—”

“Don’t what?” He stepped closer, and his mint cologne mixed with the night air. “You humiliated my guest and ran out like a lunatic. Are you high or something?”

My heart sank at first. I bit my lips, almost regretting my actions, but then it hit me.

What the hell?

Was I going to keep quiet?

After all he’s done to me—the embarrassment of bringing different ladies home, kissing them right in my face, the loud stupid moans and groans I survive every night, Vanessa’s bullying—and now he’s shouting at me for humiliating his ‘guest’?

“I’m not high. In fact, you and your bitch deserve what I did… wait a minute, what did I even do? Because I made her wash a few dishes, and now you’re here barking? What if I had her wash the water closet with her bare hands?” I shot, even I was surprised, but I shook it off and let the anger consume me slowly.

He blinked, thrown off for a second, but he quickly regained his expressionless face.

“Excuse me?”

“Oh, don’t ‘excuse me’ me, Ethan,” I continued, my hands trembling. I did not know if what I said made sense, but I wasn’t going to stop. Instead, I tried to keep my voice steady.

“You think you can treat me like trash, and I’ll just sit here, smiling, looking away, and acting like your actions are normal? Look, I'm your wife. We got married—you have to respect me!” I yelled, pushing my left hand almost into his face while showing the ring I still don’t know why I was wearing.

He tilted his head slightly, his mouth went agape for a second, and then he burst into laughter.

Huh?

Did I say anything wrong or funny?

“Look who finally grew a spine—or is this a sharper clone of my wifey?” he asked while continuing to laugh like a maniac.

“I’ve always had one,” I said back. “I just didn’t use it because I thought you’d calm down eventually.” Well, that was a lie, Sophia.

After laughing for what seemed like forever, his face suddenly became blank, like he wasn’t the same person laughing a few seconds back. Then slowly, he stepped closer until we were only inches apart, his eyes scanning my face like he was seeing me for the first time.

“Congratulations,” he murmured. “On finally learning how to talk back. Whoever taught you actually deserves an award—teacher and student of the year.” He smirked.

“Don’t mock me, Ethan.”

“I’m not mocking you.” His tone softened slightly, though his jaw stayed tight. “I’m… actually impressed.”

For a second, silence stretched between us.

The crickets were the only ones talking non-stop.

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, clearly tired. “Listen, Sophia. I'm not in for this shit.”

“What shit?”

“This.” He gestured between us. “This constant shouting, running, insulting each other like kids. We both know we don’t want this marriage. We both know we were forced. So let’s quit pretending it can be fixed.”

His voice had lost its fire, but it was as cold as ice.

“So what are you saying?” I asked quietly.

“You should have known this earlier, but I'm saying…” he looked directly at me, “you mind your business, and I’ll mind mine. I don’t care what you do or where you go or who you fuck. You don’t question me, and I won’t question you. The next time you try to meddle in my affairs…” His gaze hardened so much that I gulped down, “You’ll regret it, I give you my word.”

Something about the way he said it wasn’t an empty threat. What was he going to do to me?

I swallowed hard again. “So basically, you want us to live like ghosts under the same roof.”

“If ghosts don’t talk, then yes.” I stayed quiet for a while.

I forced a small laugh. “Fine. I can do that. That’s what we’ve been doing before now. Not that we talked before now and…”

“Good.” He raised his hand, cutting me short. “Glad we finally agree on something.”

I don’t know why I couldn’t help this feeling of sadness—no, it had nothing to do with his words. We’ve literally been that way ever since we’ve known each other, but I was just sad my life ended up turning out this way… trapped in a cage with a heartless monkey.

“Ethan,” I said suddenly, before I could stop myself.

He turned halfway. “What?”

“I hate you,” I muttered, my heart beating faster.

He smirked faintly, his expression unreadable. “That’s a strong word, wifey.”

Then he walked off—calm, slow, as if the argument never happened.

I stood there, my chest rising and falling, and the night air cooling my face, which was probably as red as an overripe tomato.

Despite the feeling of sadness, I didn’t feel weak.

I felt strong instead and proud of myself. Even though I didn’t win, I still did not lose. At least I stood up for myself tonight, and I did what I never thought I would.

…………………

“You see? He didn’t do a thing. Being courageous won’t make him treat you like a fool anymore. See how he talked to you like a responsible man?” Lisa chuckled over the phone.

We continued talking, and we planned to have a sister date the next day. That very night before I slept, I stood before the mirror and swore to never act weak before Ethan or anybody anymore.

“Even if I'm weak or scared, I’ll pretend I'm the strongest woman on earth, and I will say whatever comes to my head, even if it doesn’t make sense. I won’t give a damn about whatever Ethan does or says anymore… I'm in a wealthy family now. It’s time to start living the life of the Blackwood heir’s wife.”