Karen wanted to say something, but Sophia continued, “Alright, I don’t want to discuss this right now. I’m busy at the moment. I’ll call you when I have time.”
With that, Sophia hung up the phone without waiting for Karen’s response. She tossed her phone aside and slumped into her chair, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Why would Leo keep his visit to Dreamland a secret from her? Could it be some physical need he couldn’t control, so he went there to satisfy it? But in these four years, although Sophia couldn’t claim to fully understand Leo, she believed he wasn’t that kind of man.
Dreamland, a man’s paradise. When a man went to a place like that, what else could he be doing besides seeking pleasure and release? The more Sophia thought about it, the less she understood, and the more her heart ached.
She had once believed that nothing Leo did could disturb her inner peace. At this moment, she realized how wrong she had been. At some point, her heart had been completely filled by Leo.
This incident left Sophia with no mood to work. She endured until the end of the workday, gathered her things, and left the office. She took the elevator down to the parking garage on the lower level.
As she reached her parking spot, just as usual, Leo was already waiting.
Sophia opened the rear door of the car and got in. Leo soon noticed that something was amiss with Sophia and asked with concern, “Sophia, what’s wrong? Did something upset you?”
“Stop talking and take me home!” Sophia said with a dark expression, not even looking at Leo.
Leo was puzzled by Sophia’s attitude. He wondered if she was having her period or if something at work had bothered her. He had wanted to ask her what was wrong, but when he looked in the rearview mirror and saw Sophia’s cold face with her eyes closed, showing no intention of talking, he decided against it.
Leo started the car and headed home. As they entered the neighborhood and reached their parking spot, Sophia opened the car door and got out, holding her bag, and walked towards their home without even looking back at Leo.
Leo unfastened his seatbelt, grabbed the keys, and got out of the car. After closing the car door, he hurriedly followed Sophia.
When they entered the house, an oppressive atmosphere hit Leo like a wave.
It was a heavy, suffocating atmosphere, and it felt incredibly tense.
“Leo, come here!” Jessica stood up from the couch, hands on her hips, and shouted at Leo with an intimidating demeanor.
Sophia walked to the couch and sat down, her face turned away, avoiding any eye contact with Leo.
This situation was extremely strange. In the past, whenever Jessica scolded Leo, Sophia would undoubtedly step in and defend him.
Leo took a few steps forward, standing in front of Jessica, and asked, still unsure of what was going on, “What’s happening?”
“Leo, you useless piece of garbage! Tell me, what has Sophia ever done to you? How could you do something like that behind her back? Has your conscience been eaten by dogs?” Jessica exploded with anger, her voice echoing through the room. “You will immediately divorce Sophia and get out of our Henley family!”
If this had been in the past, when Jessica mentioned the word “divorce,” Sophia would have certainly stepped in, loudly protesting that she would never divorce Leo. However, today, in this very moment, Sophia remained cold and didn’t look at Leo.
Although Leo didn’t understand what was going on, Sophia’s reaction deeply hurt him.
“Regarding the matter of divorce, I will only listen to Sophia say those two words to me. As long as she says them, I’ll comply,” Leo maintained a strong stance in the face of Jessica’s aggressive demeanor.
“Leo, do you even have the right to speak to me like this in this house?” Jessica pointed her finger at Leo, visibly frustrated. “Honestly, I find you not only useless but also utterly disgusting!”
“What do you mean by that? What have I done to displease you? I’ve had enough of you. If you don’t clarify things with me today, we’re not finished!” Leo countered forcefully. Even a wooden man had his limits, let alone Leo!
Jessica sneered, “Leo, you dared to use this tone with me after going to a place like Dreamland. When I brought you into this family four years ago, I really underestimated you.”
Now Leo finally understood. Apparently, Jessica had found out about his and Bob’s visit to Dreamland. Judging by Sophia’s reaction and attitude, she probably knew too.
Leo hurriedly approached Sophia and pleaded, “Sophia, I haven’t done anything to betray you. Please, you must believe me.”
Finally, Sophia raised her head, looking into Leo’s eyes, and asked, “Leo, I have just one question for you. Look me in the eyes and answer truthfully.”
“Of course, Sophia, ask me anything. I’ll answer truthfully.” Leo looked into Sophia’s eyes.
“Have you been to Dreamland?”
Leo hesitated for a moment. Given the circumstances, if he denied it, neither Sophia nor Jessica would believe him. But if he admitted it, Sophia would be deeply hurt.
At this point, there was no easy way out. Leo gritted his teeth and said, “Yes, I’ve been to Dreamland, but I went there for a reason. I didn’t…”
“Alright, you don’t need to explain anymore. You went, so you went. There’s nothing more to explain,” disappointment filled Sophia’s eyes as she rose from the sofa.
Jessica’s voice, untimely as ever, chimed in, “When a normal man goes to a place like Dreamland, it’s certainly for a reason. What kind of reason? Any adult knows. Sophia, you must listen to your mother this time. Since this useless man betrayed you, you should divorce him!”
Sophia raised her eyebrows slightly. “Mom, can you please stop saying ‘divorce’ all the time?”
“Sophia, why don’t you understand your mother’s heart? If you continue like this, Leo, this useless man, will ruin your entire life. He went to a filthy place like Dreamland this time; who knows where he’ll go next,” Jessica insisted.
With this leverage in her hands, Jessica was determined to verbally destroy Leo.
Sophia gazed coldly at Leo and said, “Leo, starting today, you sleep in your own room, and you don’t need to drive me to work anymore.”
With those words, Sophia turned and walked towards the staircase.