Chapter 6: The Perks of Having a Backup
Julian stared at Sonya, then burst into laughter.
“What? You’re joking, right? You’re my girlfriend! Who the hell are you going to marry? If you didn’t hear me clearly, I’ll say it again. I’m marrying you. You hit the jackpot!” Julian picked up an unopened beer can from the floor, yanked the ring-pull down, and swaggered toward Sonya. He grabbed her hand, sneered, and slipped the ring-pull onto her middle finger.
“There. Believe me now?”
Sonya looked at the ring-pull on her finger, a silent laugh escaping her.
How cheap did Julian think she was? A ring-pull was enough to make her his wife?
She yanked her hand away, plucked the ring-pull off, and tossed it back at him. “Keep it for Seraphina. I don’t deserve it.”
She walked out.
“9 AM tomorrow, I’ll be waiting at the courthouse. Don’t be a coward, Sonya!” Julian yelled after her. She didn’t stop.
“Sonya!”
Jake followed her out, apologizing profusely.
“Julian’s overreacting. You…” He wanted to defend Julian but stopped, realizing how far out of line Julian had gone.
“I’m going to show Seraphina she’s not the only woman I’ll marry! If she doesn’t want me, there are plenty of women who do!”
His words echoed in the room.
Sonya shook her head and smiled. “See? He’s just lashing out at Seraphina. He doesn’t really want to marry me.”
“He and Seraphina aren’t right for each other,” Jake said, sensing her resolve.
“It’s none of my business, but if you consider me a friend, respect my decision. We broke up.”
Jake looked at Sonya, seeing a new, resolute glint in her eyes. This break-up felt final.
Back at the villa, Sonya’s stomach rumbled. She hadn’t eaten dinner. On the way home, she had only bought a package of instant ramen from a convenience store.
The kitchen was empty, but there was a small pot. She cooked the ramen and then realized there were no bowls. So, she ate straight from the pot.
Henry sent her a picture: a bowl of beef noodles.
“Marinated the beef last night. Cooked the noodles this morning, added some sliced beef and green onions. Easy peasy.”
Sonya smiled at the picture and the message. Henry was… odd.
He had quickly slipped into the fiancé role, even talking to himself sometimes. Sonya snapped a picture of her ramen and sent it to him.
He replied quickly: Want to try mine?
Sonya sent a clapping emoji, then immediately thought it was inappropriate.
But Henry replied: I’ll make some for you when I get back.
Sonya’s heart ached with a strange mixture of warmth and longing.
The next morning at the hospital, Sonya did her rounds in the maternity ward. The head nurse, Lucy, pulled her towards the VIP floor.
“The director wants you to see a patient.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you.”
At the VIP ward, Sonya spotted Julian leaning against the hallway with a bandage on his head, angrily smoking a cigarette. Smoking was prohibited, but no one dared to tell him off.
Lucy told Sonya the room number and went back to work.
Sonya approached Julian’s room. The door was closed, but through the window, she saw Seraphina lying in bed.
Seraphina had tried to slit her wrists the night before.
As Lucy had said, it wasn’t serious. The wound would heal on its own without treatment, but the suicide attempt had caused a huge stir.
Julian looked up, seeing Sonya as an outlet for his anger. He tossed his cigarette to the floor and ground it out.
“She tried to kill herself over that irresponsible jerk! Was it worth it? Tell me, was it worth it?”
Sonya raised an eyebrow. “You’re asking me?”
“Aren’t you both women?”
Sonya’s lips twitched. “It wasn’t worth it. At least I wouldn’t hurt myself over a jerk.”
Julian frowned. “You’re being cryptic.”
“You asked me.”
Ignoring Julian’s outburst, Sonya opened the door.
The hospital’s most luxurious ward was furnished like a presidential hotel suite. Seraphina lay on a king-sized bed, receiving an IV drip. Tears streamed down her face.
Seeing Sonya, Seraphina turned her head toward the window.
Sonya examined her wounds and checked her vitals.
“I’ve reviewed your reports. The wounds are minor, and the baby is stable. Don’t worry too much.”
“What about him?” Seraphina asked, her voice choked with sobs.
“Who?”
“Julian.”
“He’s outside.”
“Why won’t he come in?”
Sonya sighed inwardly. Were these two idiots? Why would they ask her everything?
“I know he came here last night, but he wouldn’t see me. I know I hurt him, but I promise it’s the last time. I’m done with that man.”
“Miss West, wait a moment. I’ll get—”
“No, I’m telling you,” Seraphina cut her off. She was crying, but her demeanor remained haughty. “I intended to have a fake marriage with Julian to deceive the public, but now I genuinely want to marry him.”
Sonya clicked her tongue.
This was the perk of having a backup, wasn’t it?
Julian was Seraphina’s backup, and she was Julian’s.
“Why are you telling me this?” Sonya asked, amused.
“I want you to understand and stop clinging to Julian.”
“Clinging to him?”
“I know you love him, but he only loves me. As long as I agree to stay with him, there’s no place for you.” Seraphina sighed. “Of course, considering you were with him for eight years, I’ll compensate you.”
“Compensate me?” Sonya raised an eyebrow. This was interesting.
Sonya slipped her hands into her pockets, looking at Seraphina. “Actually, Julian proposed to me last night.”
Seraphina’s face turned tense.
“If I had said yes, I’d be Mrs. Jennings now.”
“He only loves me.”
“So what? When I lay in his bed, you’re sleeping with another man.”
“You…”
“So, you better think about how to compensate me. Only then will I let go of this ‘good man.’”
