Chapter 4 Sophie Behaves Abnormally

Cecilia hesitated.

She had been searching for the truth, but now that it might actually come to light, she felt scared.

If they got the photo, and the man with another woman wasn't a stranger but Sebastian, what should she do?

"Cecilia, what are you thinking? Why aren't you saying anything?"

Sophie's voice came through the phone.

Although Cecilia loved Sebastian deeply, she couldn't tolerate cheating. She had to get to the bottom of this. "Ask your colleagues for me. If there are any clear photos of his face, send them directly to me!"

"Okay!"

The atmosphere felt heavy. Sophie tried to change the subject. "Cecilia, when are you planning to go back to work? Molly is five now, you should really think about it. You've been home for five years, and I've been worried for five years!"

Cecilia laughed. "What are you worried about?"

"You've been a housewife for five years. I'm worried you've gone stir-crazy at home."

"Get lost, you're the crazy one!"

Hearing Cecilia in the mood to curse at her, Sophie actually felt relieved. "Yes, yes, I'm crazy. Dear Cecilia, answer me, though - when are you actually going back to work? I'm waiting to see you kick ass out there!"

"I'll talk it over with Sebastian!"

"You can discuss it, but don't let him talk you out of it again!"

"Sebastian wouldn't do that. He only cares about me, loves me, and spoils me!"

Sophie made a disgusted sound and warned, "The photo thing isn't confirmed yet. Don't trust him too much."

"I know, but I believe Sebastian wouldn't do that!"

"Don't sound so sure. Men, especially rich and good-looking ones, they all cheat!"

Cecilia thought Sophie was being too harsh. "You've never even been in a relationship. How would you know?"

Sophie paused, then shot back, "When it comes to that mess between men and women, I'm way more clear-headed than you."

"You're just biased against Sebastian!"

"Cecilia, that's unfair. I'm only biased because of you."

"I know, I know. You're the best person to me in this world. Even if the whole world betrays me, you never would!"

"Cecilia, let me be real with you. Do you remember what you used to be like? The star student at business school. Everything you learned shouldn't go to waste. Taking care of the family isn't just your responsibility. You can work, build your career, and still take care of your family. You really don't need to spend all day revolving around your husband and kid. You'll lose yourself and become just an extension of Sebastian."

Sophie's speech left Cecilia speechless. She replied quietly, "I know!"

Hearing Cecilia's response, Sophie felt frustrated.

"If you know, then change! You can't keep going like this. You're completely out of touch with society now, and you've handed the whole company over to Sebastian to manage. He's got money and looks, and there are tons of women trying to get close to him. If you don't go back to the company to keep an eye on him, something will happen sooner or later!"

"It won't be that bad..." Cecilia had a lot of confidence in Sebastian.

Sophie had always been straightforward, saying whatever was on her mind to Cecilia.

"Why wouldn't it? Listen to me - tell Sebastian right now that you want to go back to work!"

Cecilia felt like Sophie was being unusually worked up today.

She was about to have a proper talk with her when the door opened, and Sebastian walked in. "Honey, dinner's ready!"

Sophie heard Sebastian's voice through the phone and said unhappily, "Think about what I said. Don't trust Sebastian too much. Go eat!"

Without waiting for Cecilia to respond, Sophie hung up.

"Who was that?"

Sebastian came over and pulled Cecilia into his arms, asking close to her ear.

Cecilia's ears were very sensitive. She couldn't resist Sebastian's charm and answered obediently, "It was Sophie!"

"Oh, her! What was she saying about me this time?"

Sebastian wasn't being petty - back in college, Sophie had never approved of their relationship.

He just hadn't expected them to walk hand in hand through all these years, loving each other, with their child now five years old.

Caught between her husband and her best friend.

Cecilia didn't want to make their relationship worse, so she made something up. "She wasn't talking badly about you. She's dealing with some difficult stuff and feeling down, so she was venting to me!"

"Honey, I'm not targeting her, but you should listen to her complaints less. The circles she moves in are too messy. I'm worried she'll be a bad influence on you!"

Cecilia looked up at Sebastian, who was half a head taller than her, and took the chance to test him. "I won't be influenced. But she says men go bad when they get money, no exceptions. Honey, will you be like other men and go bad too?"

"That's nonsense. I'm the exception. I won't go bad even with money. I'll love you forever!"

Sebastian spoke with deep feeling, then leaned down and kissed Cecilia's lips until they were glistening. He didn't forget to warn her possessively, "Let's see if you dare doubt me again!"

After dinner, Brenda asked Sebastian to drive her home again.

Cecilia was very unhappy about this. "Can't you just take a cab? It's two hours round trip. Are you going to let Sebastian rest or not?"

Brenda was quick to respond, with an ambiguous smile on her face. "If it's late, he can just sleep at my place. My bed is so big, Sebastian can toss and turn however he wants, and I won't mind if he disturbs my sleep."

Cecilia was a light sleeper who woke easily at the slightest sound. She hadn't expected Sebastian to tell Brenda about such a private matter.

And she felt like there was something more to Brenda's words, making her mind wander.

Seeing Sebastian look at Cecilia, clearly asking for her opinion, Brenda grabbed Sebastian's arm and whined unhappily, "Sebastian, I need you to drive me!"

Cecilia was annoyed by her tone and waved at Sebastian. "Don't look at me. If you want to drive her, go ahead!"

"Let's clean up..."

Before Sebastian could finish, Brenda quickly interrupted him. "Thanks, Cecilia. Sebastian, let's go!"

She pushed Sebastian toward the door, completely ignoring the displeasure on Cecilia's face.

Cecilia glanced at the dining table, which Brenda had deliberately left in a mess, and called out sharply, "Clean up your own mess before you leave!"

Brenda was annoyed. "What's wrong with you helping clean up? Sebastian makes money to support you and lets you be a housewife at home. Can't you even do this little thing?"

"I'm a housewife to take care of my husband and child, not to serve you."

"I think Sebastian spoils you too much!"

Sebastian pulled away from Brenda and walked back awkwardly. "Honey, don't be angry. Brenda, come help clean up!"

After the two of them cleaned up the dining room and kitchen, Sebastian kissed Cecilia and said lovingly, "If you're tired, go to bed early. I'll come back as soon as I drop Brenda off!"

Cecilia stared at the closed security door, feeling uneasy.