Chapter 3

The next morning, I finally replied to Andrew: [No, thanks. I have to study.]

After that, I pushed him out of my mind and buried myself in my studies.

That evening, my dad called. "Sophia, Mr. Richard Lucas is coming back from abroad tomorrow. We're having dinner at Lucas Manor."

In my previous life, Richard had always been good to me, both before and after my marriage. Even though I really didn't want to see Andrew again, with Richard returning, I had to go.

I didn't wear the custom-made dress my parents had prepared for me. Instead, I wore simple jeans and a white shirt.

When I arrived at Lucas Manor, I saw Andrew and Cindy chatting and laughing in the garden.

I handed Richard the gift. "Mr. Lucas, I wish you good health."

"Sophia, come over here and keep me company," he said, and then called Andrew over. "Go get Sophia something to drink. It's hot today."

A servant nearby covered her mouth and joked, "As soon as Ms. Foster shows up, Andrew starts taking over our jobs."

"That's what he's supposed to do." Richard laughed along.

I took the drink and thanked Andrew with a distant expression.

Maybe noticing how distant I was, Richard had someone arrange for me to sit next to Andrew at dinner.

"Sophia, can I sit next to you?" Cindy stepped forward, with her eyes full of pleading. "I really miss you. It's been so long since we last had dinner together."

Andrew quickly moved aside, guiding Cindy to sit between us, and then he started helping her with her favorite dishes.

"Andrew, Sophia loves this dish. Help her with some," Cindy said, pointing at a plate.

I kept my tone even. "Not into it anymore."

"Sophia, I'm sorry. I didn't know." Cindy's eyes welled up, and tears shimmered on her lashes.

I looked up at her, giving her a knowing look.

Maybe my stare was too blunt. She flinched, and panic flashed across her face. In her rush, she knocked over her wine glass and froze, not knowing what to do.

"Sophia, you scared Cindy." Andrew's tone was reproachful. "She cared about you."

I shot him a cool glance and went back to eating.

Richard could sense the strange tension between the three of us, so after dinner, he told Andrew to see me home.

"Sophia, I wasn't blaming you earlier," Andrew said as he took my hand. He locked eyes with me. "Cindy is a bit timid. You should go easy on her."

I quietly pulled my hand away from his. "Okay."

"Here, this is for you." Andrew pulled out a velvet box. "The moment I saw it, I thought it was perfect for you.

"It's a nephrite bracelet. You always get cold, so this is right for you. It can help."

Andrew started to fasten it around my wrist.

In my previous life, he told me he'd never loved me.

But every caring word, every time he took my hand, and every gift he gave made me believe we were in love.

When I got out of the car, I quietly slipped the bracelet off and left it in the little compartment by his rearview mirror.

If I didn't want to get involved with him, I shouldn't accept his gifts anymore.

During the week, I took some time to go home and sort through all the gifts Andrew had given me.

There were childhood windmills, sand art I used to adore, and jewelry from later years. I never expected they'd fill up a huge box.

I sealed the box and shoved it deep into the back of my closet. There was no need to return them, but I knew I'd never open that box again.

Jack Wilson from the Office of Studies praised my dancing talent.

He asked me if I'd be interested in studying abroad. "Sophia, Professor William really admires you. You'll have better resources and opportunities over there. Don't let this opportunity slip away."

In my previous life, Jack had given me the same advice, and the moment I heard the news, I rushed to share it with Andrew.

"Sophia, it's great that you get to study abroad," he said with hesitation back then. "But you're a girl, and you'll be halfway across the world. What if someone picks on you?

"If anything happened to you, I'd be heartbroken."

He looked at me, and his voice was deliberately gentle.

Back then, I really thought he couldn't bear to let me go. When Jack tried to persuade me, I clung to Andrew's arm and declared with absolute certainty, "As long as I have him, that's all I need."

Thinking about it now, it was so absurd and funny.

"Mr. Wilson, I'll cherish this chance," I said firmly.

"Great. You can talk it over with your family. If everything's good, you'll be leaving in a week," Jack said.