Chapter 6. I Think I Fall...

Cassidy tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep at all. He had come home in the morning after staying up the entire night until the sky grew bright.

“Oh God, this is torture!” Cass groaned, clutching his hair with both hands. He felt bored, hot, irritated, and angry, yet he didn’t know how to release it. Eventually, he got up and went downstairs. He decided he would wait for Sophie to come home.

The maids had served breakfast on the table, but Cass had lost his appetite since the night before. He didn’t even touch it. Instead, he waited for Sophie to return.

Even by ten in the morning, Sophie still hadn’t come home, and Cass grew increasingly restless. He hadn’t even taken a shower and kept staring at the wall clock like a madman.

“I’m going to lose my mind!”

Cass cursed before trying to calm himself again. As difficult as it was, he resisted the urge to track the car Sophie was using to find out her whereabouts. He wanted to respect her decision to spend time with her best friend, Madison.

“Can’t she just turn on her phone for once and talk to me?” Cass muttered to himself. He went back to waiting, sitting on the couch, his gaze shifting from the door to the clock, then back to the door again.

As lunchtime approached, Cass couldn’t take it anymore. He had been patient long enough with Sophie ignoring his calls and even turning her phone off.

“That’s enough! This has gone too far!”

Cass snapped in frustration and stood up, heading to his room. Once inside, he grabbed his tablet and activated the tracker on Sophie’s car. After gaining access and locating it, he hurried to change his clothes.

He was going to pick Sophie up from Madison’s place. As he drove, the car Sophie was using began to move as well. Cass frowned when he saw that it was heading home.

“Hmm… alright, I’ll just wait here…”

Cass stopped at one end of the road where the car would pass on its way to his apartment building. It only took fifteen minutes before the car Sophie was driving came into view, and Cass followed from behind.

Sophie parked not far from where Cass had just pulled in. Not long after, she stepped out of the car just as Cass finished parking. Hurriedly, Cass got out of his vehicle and moved to approach her.

“Sweetpea!” he called, immediately pulling her into a hug.

Sophie froze for a moment, then let out a small laugh.

“What’s wrong with you?”

Cassidy quickly let go and gently cupped her cheeks.

“Oh, Sweetpea, why are you only coming home now?”

Sophie smiled, completely unbothered.

“Sorry. I stayed over at my friend’s house—there was a party,” she answered casually.

Cassidy frowned.

“But Maddy said—”

“What did she say?” Sophie widened her eyes and stared at Cassidy with innocent, doe-like eyes, cutting off his confusion.

Cassidy fell silent, then shook his head. Then he froze again.

“What’s with your eyes? Have you been crying?”

Sophie was briefly startled but quickly shook her head.

“No. I’m just really happy. The party was amazing!”

Cassidy didn’t respond right away, still staring at her. Eventually, he smiled too.

“Did you have fun?” he asked softly.

Sophie nodded quickly.

“Mhm… I also went shopping yesterday. Oh! I bought something for you!”

She slipped out of his hold and turned toward the car to grab the shopping bags filling the trunk. Cassidy followed and helped carry out all the branded items she had brought home.

“Wow, you really had a great time, huh?”

“Mm… are you mad?” Sophie pouted playfully, and Cassidy chuckled.

“No, Sweetpea. I was just worried because you didn’t come home. You should’ve called me,” he said with a warm smile.

They walked inside together, Cassidy carrying all her shopping bags.

“It was only one night.”

“Your phone was off…” Cassidy complained as he followed her inside.

“Oh, I forgot to bring my charger. Why are you worried? I didn’t go anywhere dangerous.”

Cassidy just smiled without replying. He carried all her heavy bags, struggling slightly, while Sophie walked in like a princess entering her husband’s luxurious home. Even though she already knew Cassidy was a liar, Sophie had her own plan in mind to get back at him.

“Ugh, I’m so tired! Take my things upstairs!” Sophie said, pointing as she gave orders to the maid.

Cassidy handed over all the shopping bags before approaching his wife.

“You must be exhausted,” he said, sitting beside her.

Sophie turned her face away with an arrogant smile. She straightened her posture, giving him a slightly daring look.

“I called you from the afternoon until last night, but your phone was off the whole time. Who were you out with, Sweetpea?” Cassidy asked, still pressing the issue.

“I told you, I didn’t bring my charger,” Sophie replied, batting her eyes flirtatiously.

Cassidy frowned slightly at her unusual behavior, but he kept his tone gentle.

“But you could’ve borrowed one from your friend…”

“Oh, come on. You’re just overthinking. I’m home now, aren’t I? I want to take a shower first—I’m so tired,” Sophie whined sweetly.

For some reason, Cassidy felt a sudden stir of desire. Her posture was alluring, her outfit slightly revealing. The way she looked at him made him uneasy.

“But, baby…” Cassidy coaxed, slowly moving closer, but Sophie stopped him by placing a finger on his lips.

“I want to shower and soak first. We’ll talk later,” she whispered teasingly, in a commanding tone.

Cassidy was left stunned. Why did Sophie seem so different after coming home? What had happened?

Sophie walked into the bathroom with a blank expression, as if nothing had happened. She removed all her clothes and stepped into the luxurious jacuzzi in the spacious bathroom.

She took several deep breaths, trying to relax and enjoy the warm water enveloping her body. Her gaze gradually turned cold and cynical. Everything felt unreal, as if none of this was actually happening.

“I have to be strong. I know I can face him. I’m not weak…” Sophie leaned back, sinking deeper into the water that filled the jacuzzi.