Chapter 5
Just like that, Sophia found herself with a gun to her head, forced to play the part of Adam's fiancée.
While Sophia was in danger, Adam, who had just publicly acknowledged Sophia as his fiancée, was holding Emily in his arms and comforting her. "It is okay. It will be over soon. I am here."
He was using that gentle tone to comfort Emily, even though she was perfectly fine.
Sophia's face was pale, her lips trembling as she tried to say something, but before she could, tears streamed down her cheeks. After what felt like forever, she lowered her gaze and gave a bitter smile.
She was laughing at herself, at how Adam only ever acknowledged her when he had to choose between her and Emily, and at how she could never measure up.
She told herself that it did not matter. If he could be this heartless, then she did not have to be soft either.
Two minutes later, the SWAT team burst in. Some of the robbers were caught, and others managed to escape.
Once the cold barrel was gone from her head, Sophia could finally breathe again, her nerves loosening just a bit. She stayed silent, picked up the gift bag, and turned to leave.
She had had enough of their lovey-dovey act. She was sick of it.
The next second, they came after her.
Emily made a show of swinging Adam's hand in hers, acting innocent but clearly flaunting it.
"Adam only lied to save me. Come on, you don't actually believe that, do you, Sophia? But even if you do, it doesn't matter. He only likes younger girls, not old hags like you."
As soon as she finished, she covered her mouth and gave a phony apology. "Sophia, it was just an offhand remark. Do not take it to heart. If you are mad, go ahead and hit me."
Her eyes were brimming with tears, as if she had been wronged beyond measure.
Adam's gaze turned icy. He gently rubbed Emily's back while his words to Sophia were cold and merciless.
"What else would you call a woman over thirty but an old hag? And a lie is still a lie. Do not think you can use this as an excuse to latch onto me."
His words were sharp as knives, basically telling Sophia not to be a clingy leech.
Whenever it suited him, he would suddenly remember who she was. But the moment he did not need her, he would cut her off like she meant nothing.
He thought she would be furious, maybe even break down in tears and curse him out. But she did not cry or make a scene. She just gave a faint smile and said, "Okay." Her smile had just the right curve, as if she truly felt nothing at all.
Adam was taken aback for a moment, but then he turned his attention back to Emily. "Alright, let's go get your favorite chocolate cake."
They walked side by side, their fingers intertwined. Watching their backs, Sophia could not help but think they really did look like a perfect match.
"I hope you two stay this happy forever." Her voice carried a hint of bitterness, as if she was blessing them, but also as if she could already see karma waiting for them in the end.
For the next few days, Sophia locked herself in her room, doing nothing but eating and sleeping. It felt like the only way she could numb the pain inside.
On the fifteenth day, the manager from the bridal shop called.
"Hi, Ms. Nash. You ordered a wedding dress about six months ago, but you never picked it up. Today, two customers are interested in that dress and asked if you would be willing to let them have it," the manager said.
Sophia held her phone, sitting there in a daze, unable to process it for a long time.
So much time had passed that she had almost forgotten that before Adam died, they were planning their wedding together.
The ring, the dress, the wedding photos. They had it all. Everything was ready except for him. In the end, none of it mattered anymore.
"Yes, yes, I am willing to transfer it," Sophia said.
The first yes came from her uncontrollable longing, her mind wandering to the wedding and imagining Adam standing before her, waiting for her answer. The second yes was her surrender to reality's cruelty.
After she finished, she hung up quickly, trying to shake off the sadness.
The next second, the phone rang again. The manager explained that, as per store policy, Sophia had to come in and sign off in person. Sophia had no choice but to agree.
She dragged herself out of bed, her steps unsteady as she made her way to the bathroom.
In the bright mirror, the tear stains at the corners of her eyes were magnified, making her pain impossible to ignore. She looked like an abandoned puppy hiding in a lonely corner and crying her heart out.
Out of habit, she grabbed her powder puff to cover up the mess.
Before she got together with Adam, she never wore makeup. She could not even stand the smell of it.
After they started dating, she grew anxious about her age and looks and started copying how younger girls dressed and did their makeup. Her makeup got thicker every time, and she became more anxious and unsure about herself.
Adam was always patient and never tired of comforting her. He would even mess up his face with lipstick during team practice just to make her laugh.
"Captain said I look like a monkey. I'm not that cute, right?" he joked.
He was acting silly, making her laugh. Then her laughter suddenly turned into tears.
At that moment, she felt like one of the lucky ones, someone blessed with happiness. She truly believed she had found someone who loved her unconditionally, gentle and wholehearted.
But in the end, that happiness was fleeting, nothing more than a moment beneath his lies.