"You!..." Charlotte Harrison pointed at Sophie Smith, her face instantly turning ashen.
"Don’t doubt my decision."
Heh, being with Asher Land for so long, her manner of speaking started to resemble his somewhat; she had more or less become a reflection of him.
Sophie Smith’s sudden firmness left Charlotte Harrison at a loss, her lips parted but she couldn’t say a word.
The atmosphere grew increasingly awkward. Sophie Smith knew she no longer belonged here.
"Dad, I’m leaving. Rest assured, the money will be in your account in no more than three days."
Christopher Smith wanted to say something, but Sophie Smith went out without hesitation.
She sprinted all the way, heading for the stairs, feeling that if she slowed down even for a second, she would lose control over her erupting emotions.
She ran far, so far, until she couldn’t run anymore. Finally, she hid in the dark corner of a wall, leaning tight against it, allowing her tears to flow freely.
Anyway, in the dark of night, nobody would see.
She didn’t even know why she was crying. It’s been four years, yet she still hadn’t gotten used to it.
Since the day her mother left, she should’ve known her life would never again be peaceful, never.
She was about to break down, taking a deep breath from the bottom of her heart and then slowly exhaling, as if this was the only way to make herself feel even a little at ease, or else she’d suffocate.
Tears blurred her vision, everything became hazy before her; she blinked, trying hard to see clearly.
A tall figure approached her, stretching out a long arm and pulling her into his embrace.
"Have you cried enough?" Asher Land frowned, his voice slightly chilly.
He was genuinely curious about what happened. Clearly, she was eager to return home, but not long after leaving, she was crying uncontrollably.
"I don’t want you to care." Sophie Smith shook off his hand and turned to walk away.
She hadn’t walked far before being forcefully pulled back by him.
"What do you mean don’t want me to care?" He was a bit angry. "You are my woman, and I will definitely care."
"Do you know what your woman is defined as?" She sneered, tears brimming in her eyes, but her voice was incredibly calm. "To everyone, Asher Land’s woman is just a plaything to warm your bed, a tool for your release. Do you know? I hate you, but I hate myself even more."
Asher Land’s expression was startled; it was the first time he heard her say such words, sharp yet so poignant.
She confessed that the stimulus she received from that so-called home made her blurt these words out.
She was always thinking that if the incidents four years ago hadn’t happened, she might not be living so miserably, so humbly.
If four years later she hadn’t encountered him again, maybe she wouldn’t loathe herself, wouldn’t be tired of life.
Sadly, there’s no if.
"Where did I wrong you?"
His voice carried no warmth, hate him? He had long anticipated it; but in all honesty, aside from forcing her to be his woman, Asher Land hadn’t done anything more excessive to her. Yes, maybe his methods were domineering, his attitude forceful, but that was just his way of doing things for 27 years.
"Without you, I wouldn’t be now!" Sophie Smith struggled free from his firm grip and ran towards the opposite side of the street.
A small car sped from the opposite street towards her, the blinding lights aimed straight at her eyes. She closed her eyes and turned her head, then upon opening her eyes, discovered that the car was only meters away from her, yet it kept moving fast with no sign of stopping.
"Ah." Sophie Smith screamed aloud.