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His expression changed,trying to became that confident boy telling me how he felt back then.
"Sophia,this time we'll do it right.Trust me."
"Henry only loves Sophia."
His vow echoed in the empty hall,the chandelier's crystals was tinkling faintly.
Hearing those same words,I thought I'd feel nothing.
I was wrong.
I felt sick.
"You shouldn't have said that."I glared,walking away.
Henry didn't follow.
...
On my way home,I dozed.
In my dream,Henry swore he'd never betray me.Then when Lily appeared at the wedding with tears in her eyes,he fled.
He chased her,abandoning everything.
I became a joke.Grief flooded me,drowning my all hopes,leaving only a meatsuit named Sophia Bennett.
For a long time,I couldn't accept it.
He knew the ending fully well yet still left me.
Gossip overwhelmed me.I hid,curled up in a corner.On the third day,a half-wilted flower on the windowsill bloomed.
Not a flower of vibrant colors,just a small petal,striving to bloom toward the room's only sunlight.
I let go.
He betrayed my heart.He deserved to rot.
For a week,Henry pestered me like an annoying fly.
I ignored him and ordered my bodyguards to keep him away,but he always returned shamelessly.
Some at the company shipped us.The receptionist,charmed by his pitiful handsome face,forgave him for me.
Furious,I checked her record—clean.
I gritted my teeth,tempted to fire her like a real ruthless mogul.
Instead,I tapped her desk after hours,warning:"Don't forgive others'sins so easily.Looks aren't everything!"
She nodded,trembling.
His pestering lasted two seasons.
On the winter solstice,I was having dinner with a client out of town.It was late when I left,and there was Henry.
Huddled in a corner,nose red from cold.
Seeing me,he scrambled over,pulling a thermos from his coat with stiff hands.
He opened it,steam rising,melting snow falling down between us.
"Sophia,I mad you a hot meal."
"It's cold.Eat something warm,good for your stomach."
Through the steam,I I seemed to see the boy who'd brought me meals growing up again.
I was always busy—exams,competitions,endless tasks.He'd grumble but always show up at mealtime,knowing exactly what I craved.
I thought a lifetime was long enough to forget him.
It wasn't.Our lives were already intertwined.
I took it,steam hitting my face,turning into two cold tears.
I wiped them messily,closing my eyes.
"Henry,the day after tomorrow,bring Lily Foster to see me.We need a closure."
He agreed eagerly,likely thinking I was touched.
As my security escorted me away,I heard his cheers from afar.
My assistant,Julian Holt,opened the car door for me.
Lost in thought,I didn't notice that our faces were only inches apart.
In the car,he loosened his tie,voice low:"Want to eat what he gave you?"
Snapping back,I tossed the thermos to him.
"Throw it out."
