Chapter 2: Meet With Maya

As the sun cast its rays into the sterile hospital room that was filled with the smell of medicine, Sophia woke up by her mother's side. She came here last night with the excuse of taking care of her mother. She didn't want to be alone as her heart was shattering into pieces and only by being with people who mattered to her could make her feel better.

She couldn't look back to that cold lifeless house She had been in for 3 years. Not after the decision she had made. Every corner of that house reminded her of the marriage that never existed and she couldn't go back there again. With this thought, she exhaled sadly, before looking at her mom, who was sleeping peacefully, her face pale and weak. She had been sick for a while now and her surgery was postponed since they didn't have enough money for it.

Her mother opened her eyes slightly as if feeling her emotional turmoil. The surgery was very important yet the funds seemed impossible to gather. Her mom, Catherine, pinned her hope on Marcus and his family, the Hawthorns, to help them. Little did she know they already refused to help, including Marcus. He didn't care much about his mother-in-law. But Sophia can't tell her the truth for now. She can't bear to give this news to her, it's good for her to keep hoping as Sophia thinks of another solution.

Marcus had forbidden her from going to work, in the name of upholding his family image. She listened to him but now that she needs his financial help, he doesn't care.

Evelyn and Lauren made it clear that her mother was not their responsibility. They didn't care that Sophia had been doing all the house chores for them like a maid. They just offered fake sympathy and that's all. It stung, and her heart bled, especially since they told her directly, without concealing their disdain.

How could she let her mother know that her husband and his family don't care about her? Not now.

Her phone rang in her bag pulling her from her thoughts. She checked it, it was a call from Marcus. He hasn't called ever since she left the house which means he just got home or his mother and sister called to report about their earlier confrontation.

Sophia hesitated; she had wished for him to call her many times, but that was before.

But she decided to answer as she wanted to talk to him too.

She took a deep breath before answering, “Marcus,” she called his name out but now her tone was cold, with no warmth.

“Where are you?” his cold voice came

“At the hospital with my mom,” she said as a matter of fact. There was no need to go into details.

There was silence on the other side before he asked again, “You didn't come home last night?”

“Who would have thought you would notice if I was gone? I thought you would be very busy to notice. Since you didn't come home too, I guess it makes the two of us.” Sophia replied, her tone sharper than she had intended.

She wanted to confront him about his affair with Lila last night but she refrained. She had already decided so it didn't matter.

Sophia leaned her head against the chair, closing her eyes and feeling ironical. She had left their marriage a long time ago, only that this time was physical.

Marcus pressed unapologetic, “When are you coming back? We need to talk.”

His mother and sister had told him about Sophia's attitude last night. He couldn't believe Sophia disrespected his family. Although he has been aware of how they treated her, he never intervened.

But now Sophia left with her suitcase case? What happened? She was already used to his family's attitude towards her. She did all the chores at home without complaining. Is she throwing a tantrum just to get my attention?

Sophia's sharp and cold voice interrupted his thoughts, “I'll meet you at the cafe opposite the hospital in the afternoon.”

Before he could respond, she hung up. She went to the window of the hospital room, looking at the busy street. Her heart felt cold but her determination ignited her resolve to start over.

Back at Marcus, he stared at his phone's black screen shocked. Sophia just hung up on him! She's always been eager to receive his call, to talk to him, but now she hung up on him.

He thought of his last conversation with his grandpa, “Marcus, when are you two having a child? You've been married for 3 years now.”

Marcus, “I'll think about it, Grandpa”

The thought of a baby with Sophia never crossed his mind. He has been consumed with revenge. Sophia acted so conservatively while they were dating. All the women who showed interest in him back then would sleep with him.

But Sophia rejected him every time, demanding they wait until marriage. He hated her for this and couldn't show it back then. That's why he agreed to marry her just to have his way, not because he loved her. He was a playboy after all.

He didn't touch her after their marriage as he wanted to punish her too. He would rather sleep outside with other women. But now, thinking of his grandpa's urgent need for a grandchild and Sophia's little tantrum, it was time. He will fulfill her wish.

Back in the hospital room, Sophia's mother woke up; she smiled weakly at her daughter, “Honey, what did Marcus say? Did they agree to help?”

Sophia's body tensed; she was still at the window and hearing her mom's question, filled with hope; the cold from outside seemed to be all directed at her.

She composed herself and turned around to face her mother acting normal. “We're still discussing it, Mom, but don't worry, we will find a way.”

Her mother smiled sweetly at her, “You are such a good daughter, dear; I know you will find a way. Marcus and his family have always been generous, they will help us.”

Sophia couldn't imagine the word generous and the Hawthornes in the same sentence. She wanted to scream and shout at that family. But she couldn't let her mother know the truth. At least not in her condition. The burden in her chest felt heavier as she looked at her mother's expectant eyes.

Right then, her phone buzzed from her pocket. She checked it was a message from an unknown number.

‘Hey, can we talk? I have information you might be interested in.’

Sophia replied, ‘Who is this and why should I believe you?’

The reply came almost immediately.

‘I'm acquainted with your husband and I have some information about him.’

Before Sophia could type a reply, another message came in, ‘I'm at Avenue One coffee shop, don't keep me waiting.’

Sophia wanted to ignore the message but her curiosity couldn't let her. He was about to part ways with Marcus and any information about him may be crucial. Although she was still worried that it might be a setup. She bid her mother goodbye and left promising to come later to take care of her.

When Sophia arrived at Avenue One coffee shop, her heart was beating faster as if waiting for a battle. She knew it might be a set up but a part of her said she should trust the person. She looked around, trying to spot the person, when a woman stood up, waving at her, “Hey Sophia, here.”

Sophia approached her, she was a petite woman with short hair and a cold temperament. She sat sipping her coffee unbothered by the noises around her.

“You are the one who texted me?” Sophia asked cautiously

“Yes, aren't you Sophia Blackwell?” the woman asked, raising her head to look at Sophia.

Sophia could see sympathy in the woman's cold eyes. She nodded as she sat down.

“Maya”, the woman gave her name with not much interest. She continued sipping her coffee as if she was alone.

Sophia broke the silence, “So why did you call me here?”

Maya raised her head again looking at Sophia as if trying to choose her words, “Are you aware of your husband's…affairs?”

Sophia felt the pain in her chest tighten. She clenched her fist under the table not wanting to show her vulnerability to a stranger.

“You didn't call me to ask questions right?” She asked calmly although her anger was boiling.

Maya went straight to the point. “I have caught Marcus several times with different women, and since I knew he was married, I thought you should know. It's never too late to be careful.”

Sophia's heart hurt so much after hearing about the other women although she already knew about Marcus' behavior.

“Do you have any proof?” She asked, her voice shaking, betraying her calm expression.