After She She Stopped Loving Him

That night, after Charles had finished fooling around with Sophie, he stood by the bed, straightening out the wrinkles in his suit.

When he was undressed, he’d give Sophie anything she wanted. But once he put his clothes back on, he turned back into the high–and–mighty CEO of Sinclair Group.

Remembering what Yolanda had said, Sophie grabbed his sleeve. “Charles, I mentioned before that I wanted the lipstick endorsement for Magnifique Cosmetics, right? I checked, and the current spokesperson is Joelle. Honestly, she’s nothing special. How could she possibly outshine me?”

The atmosphere suddenly grew heavy.

Sophie had never seen him like this before; her heart sank. She swallowed, forcing a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Did I say something wrong, Charles? I’ve seen her photos. Could you help me get the Magnifique Cosmetics endorsement? 1-”

He slowly removed her fingers from his sleeve and leaned in close, studying her face. “Sophie, did someone say something to you?”

Sophie put on her most convincing act, her eyes growing teary. “Charles, I just can’t stand being outshined by someone who’s clearly not as good as me. It’s been eating away at me.”

He patted her cheek lightly, a faint smile in his voice. “Don’t say such silly things next time.”

Sophie’s face instantly drained of color, her fingers curling into a fist. “What do you mean?” she asked, her voice barely steady.

“Be good, and there’ll be plenty of resources coming your way. But if you’re not, I can replace you anytime,” Charles said as he straightened his tie and grabbed his suit jacket. “I’m heading out.”

Sophie couldn’t even muster a smile, she just stared helplessly as he walked away.

As soon as the door closed behind him, she hurled a pillow across the room, tears streaming down her face.

She’d insulted Charles’s wife right to his face before, and he’d never cared. But just bringing up Joelle made him turn cold in an instant. Tessa hadn’t lied–Joelle was the one he cherished a lot in his heart.

Sophie pounded the bed beneath her. They’d just been tangled up together, and he could flip the switch like that. She’d never seen Charles act this way before. It was like he’d turned into ice, shutting her out completely.

Her face twisted with rage; she snatched up the business card she’d salvaged from the trash. It was Tessa’s

contact info..

some ridiculous fantasy of rising to the top. She was nothing but

the card so hard her knuckles turned white, before finally letting it fall

7:45 Thu, Sep 11

Chapter 41

buzzed–it was Yolanda. She said softly, “Charles, things have taken a turn

until she was ten. William, the director, wasn’t in great shape, but he still looked after a few of the

died a few years back from working herself to death, and now William was just

that night, she rushed straight to the hospital and

love in the Grant or Sinclair families; the only warmth she’d ever felt came

clenching her fists to keep

He

hand limp at her side. “Please let me know the moment you find a

as we find a match, he’ll be the first to

nodded, forcing a weak smile. “Sorry for the

walked into the hospital room and saw a few kids gathered around the bed. They were all orphans from the orphanage, and they’d lived with William for most

his wife had run it together

up?” one of

so scared. What if Mr. Bennett

patted their heads. These kids were the ones who’d called 911. If they hadn’t, William might

Mr. Bennett is going to be fine, so don’t stay here and disturb his rest. Once he’s better, he’ll come

kids took turns hugging her around the waist.

Yolanda walked over

7:45 Thu, Sep 11

Chapter 41

eyes.

brought Charles to the orphanage. William liked him right away, and back when Athena was still