Chapter 4: Mismatched 

By the time Sophia got home, she was utterly drained and a little late. Not that it mattered much—Ethan had already mentioned he'd be working late tonight. She headed straight for her room, bypassing Carla, the only housemaid who stayed overnight. The other staff resumed their duties at eight in the morning and left by six in the evening. Since it was well past seven, Carla was the only one on hand for any urgent errands.

Ignoring the plump woman’s polite greeting, Sophia climbed the grand staircase, her heels clicking against the polished hardwood floor. As soon as she reached her bedroom, she kicked off her shoes and began stripping off her work clothes and undergarments, discarding them onto the plush rug.

The bedroom was enormous, as lavish as the rest of the house, but it was the adjoining bathroom that always took her breath away. Nearly half the size of the bedroom, it had gleaming marble floors, a glass-enclosed shower and many more features. However, tonight Sophia wasn’t interested in soaking in the tub. She craved the sharp thang that only a cold shower could provide.

Stepping under the cold shower, she let the water fall over her tired body, easing the tension in her muscles. She closed her eyes and let her hands wander, unconsciously massaging the knots in her neck and shoulders. Letting the cool water make her skin go numb.

Her thoughts turned to Ethan, as they often did in moments like this. She had tried, really tried, to make peace with him. But he was an impenetrable wall, cold and distant. Once, in a moment of desperation, she had let her towel “accidentally” slip while leaving the bathroom, exposing herself to him. He hadn’t even blinked, simply excusing himself from the room. True, she wasn't the most attractive but she was not half bad. Her black hair and brown eyes made her stand out in crowds and her curves made people look twice.

Sophia growled softly, her hands instinctively moving to her chest, where her fingertips grazed the sensitive point of her nipples. Her body reacted, but her mind rebelled, snapping her back to reality. It didn't feel right anymore. If it were before, she'd have continued without a fuzz but she was married now. Frustrated, she turned off the shower and stepped out, wrapping herself in a plush bathrobe.

As she dried off, another worry struck her—breakfast. Ethan wouldn’t tolerate another lazy attempt at cooking, like the toasted bread she had served the previous night.

“Carla!” she called, her voice echoing through the halls.

Moments later, Carla appeared, her usual calm expression in place. Sophia handed her some cash. “Get everything I need for sandwiches. Good ones. Tuna, eggs, fresh vegetables, everything.”

Carla nodded, taking the money and heading out, leaving Sophia alone with her thoughts. As she walked back to her room, Sophia’s gaze fell on a familiar-looking brown file sitting on the small table in the corner. Curious, she picked it up and flipped through its contents. It was a collection of her academic achievements—degrees, certifications, her CV. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she sank into the chair by the bed.

This wasn’t the life she had envisioned. She had dreamt of becoming a self-made woman, running a successful room decor business while working in an accounting firm. Marriage had never been part of her plan, much less a life where she was financially dependent on someone else.

But here she was, a full-time housewife to a wealthy man who barely acknowledged her. The thought was enough to sour her mood.

No. This wasn’t going to be her fate. A spark of determination lit within her. She could start small—a part-time job, perhaps, while she quietly revived her room decor business. Ethan was so engrossed in his work that he’d never notice. It was the perfect plan.

Feeling a renewed sense of purpose, Sophia shed her bathrobe and slipped into her nightgown. The sheer, lacy fabric clung to her curves, a wedding gift from her mother that she had rarely worn. She turned off the lights and crawled into bed, a faint smile tugging at her lips as sleep claimed her.

The next morning, Sophia woke not to the blaring alarm, but to the soft hum of Ethan’s breathing beside her. She turned to look at him, her gaze lingering on his sleeping form.

Ethan looked so peaceful when he slept, free of the constant scowl that seemed to dominate his waking expressions. His messy brown hair framed his sharp features, and his full, pink lips—a detail she couldn’t help but notice—were slightly parted.

She quickly averted her gaze when he stirred, not wanting to be caught staring. Slipping out of bed, she padded to the kitchen, where Carla had already prepared the ingredients for the sandwiches.

Sophia worked quickly, boiling eggs and layering tuna, diced onions, tomatoes, and fresh cabbage onto slices of buttered bread. The sandwiches were simple yet satisfying, and she finished the meal with a pot of freshly made tea.

When Ethan finally joined her, his reaction to the food was subtle—a slight widening of his eyes, quickly masked by his usual stoicism. He took a bite, sipped his tea, and said nothing.

Sophia clenched the butter knife in her hand, forcing herself to smile. One day, she’d make him acknowledge her efforts. For now, her plan for independence was enough to soothe her frustration.

Ethan stood abruptly, dropping a $5,000 bill onto the table as he grabbed his tablet and a brown file. He didn’t even say goodbye, heading for the door while taking a call.

“Yes, Dave? I’ll be at the meeting soon. Let’s make sure we drain these rich men dry.” His words faded as he walked out.

But her irritation turned to panic when she noticed the file he had taken. She rushed back to the bedroom, checking the table. Her stomach dropped when she realized the file still there was her own—a collection of Ethan’s business documents had been left behind.

Her heart raced. If Ethan needed those files for his meeting, he was going to be furious. She had to act fast.

Throwing on the first outfit she could grab, Sophia snatched up the file and dashed out of the house.

Ethan was going to kill her.