Capone held her tightly, unsure how to explain things to her. After a moment of consideration, he said, "I don't have any feelings for David Lee's daughter, not now, and not in the future! Women are complicated. I've taken one on, and that's enough. I don't want any more, so you can rest easy. No matter how I interact with old man Ye, I won't invest my emotions or my future."
"Did you know when you met me that we'd end up in this situation? Did you ever think you'd like the daughter of the Diaz family?"
Sophia clearly wasn't as optimistic as he was. While there are many stories of love at first sight, more often, love grows over time.
He and she hadn't considered the possibility of falling in love, just as he didn't think he'd ever have feelings for David Lee's daughter.
But after living together day in and day out, it was possible that David Lee's daughter was a wonderful girl. Even if he didn't love her, how could he guarantee that, with the passing days, he wouldn't develop some form of affection for her?
People are always able to conquer space, but no one can escape the power of time.
Did she have to wait for him in this awkward position for a few years?
And why should she have to wait in this position at all?
The atmosphere became tense, and Capone didn't know how to explain the situation to her.
In any case, falling out with David Lee early on wasn't an option. Considering Sophia and Diana, he couldn't rush to pressure Cronus either.
Sophia had suggested finding Cronus's long-lost sister, and Capone had already dispatched more people to investigate across various cities. But there was still no news.
Thinking back to what had happened to that family, the girl who survived must have desperately erased all traces of herself and her family, hiding in some corner of the world to avoid revenge and humiliation.
Years had passed, and she must have adopted a new identity and life. Her dark memories were probably something she no longer shared with anyone, buried deep in the river of time. Finding her would be no easy task.
Sometimes, he thought about giving up—taking Sophia Diaz and flying overseas, settling in a small town, and getting married quietly in a small church, living a peaceful life. That would be enough for him.
But there were so many people and things he couldn't let go of. He had already achieved financial freedom, but his mind and soul were still trapped.
If they kept talking, they'd probably end up arguing again, so he decided to change the topic.
"Is it because of your period that you're so tired? Your appetite is good too. I don't remember you being like this before."
"Yeah, I guess so!"
Actually, Sophia also found it strange. This time, her reaction was different from before. Her lower abdomen had a slight bloating and some light bleeding that evening, but it faded almost completely over the next two days.
Her appetite was also great. She wasn't sure if it was because the weather had gotten better, making her feel hungrier, or because Diana and Lucy always managed to make irresistible meals. She seemed to have gained a bit of weight recently, and her chest felt like it was growing toward a D cup. Her usual C cup now felt tight.
Not to mention her intimacy with Capone—it had become extraordinarily sensitive and exciting.
Of course, these changes were too embarrassing for her to mention. She hadn't even told Diana about them.
Her period would pass soon, so she hadn't thought much further about it.
"Once you're full, go change your clothes. I'll take you to see something later!"
Capone said this, but by the afternoon, there was no sign of him. Sophia waited for a while in the room, feeling a bit stuffy, so she decided to step outside for a walk. From a distance, she saw a small boat testing the waters on the beach. Capone was standing next to it.
He saw her too and waved, gesturing for her to come over.
As Sophia got closer, she realized it was a wooden canoe, not too large, with a long and beautifully crafted hull. It had been varnished and looked very well-maintained.
"Guess who made this boat?" Capone, sitting inside the boat, looked down and checked the hull.
Sophia paused for a moment, then said, "Your dad?"
"Bingo! You guessed right. Did Mandy or someone tell you?"
Sophia shook her head. No one had told her about Capone's small boat. She had only guessed it because Capone always showed a certain complex emotion whenever he spoke about his father.
It was a mix of sarcasm, expectation, and admiration.
Capone's movements were slow and skilled, as if he had done this countless times. The boat seemed to undergo a regular "check-up" under his care every year, and not major repairs—just routine maintenance that he did himself.
When he worked on the boat, his expression was serious and a little cold, as if he were having a conversation with his father.
"The year I went to the U.S. for college, he gave this to me as a gift. He made it himself! He's never been short on money, and I've received many valuable gifts over the years, but most of them weren't even personally given to me. They were sent by his subordinates or secretaries. I bet he doesn't even know what I received. But this... this was the only one he made himself. When he was younger, he learned carpentry and worked as a boatman. He used to smuggle goods on the seas and built his business from small beginnings. So this skill was something he was quite proud of!"
Sophia looked at the boat with a hint of curiosity and disbelief. "This boat... can go out to sea?"
Capone smiled, "Don't underestimate this boat. As long as there's no strong wind or heavy rain, it's actually quite convenient for traveling between the islands! It's made entirely by hand—much sturdier than the ones made by machines these days. When I was a kid, I often saw people using these boats for transportation in this area. A good boat is worth more than a good car nowadays, and it's something worth collecting and showing off!"
Hearing him say that, the unfamiliar yet intriguing little boat made Sophia unconsciously reach out her hand. However, remembering the time when Capone wouldn't let her touch the love knot, she quickly pulled her hand back.
"Go ahead, feel it. You can even sit in it if you want!"
Capone didn't mind at all. He grabbed her hand and helped her into the boat. To her surprise, there was enough space for both of them to sit side by side comfortably.
Sophia's hand brushed the hull of the boat. The solid, weighty feel of the wood was reassuring, and she noticed a pair of oars resting nearby.
"It was repaired this year. It's fine for sailing on the sea. Want to take it for a spin?"
Sophia was startled. "Just the two of us?"
"Why? Afraid? Not daring to go?" Capone teased, trying to provoke her.
"Hmph, what's there to be afraid of? Even if it flips, I'll have you with me!" Although Sophia was still a little scared, she couldn't show weakness in front of him. If he wasn't afraid, why should she be?
At least, even if something unexpected happened, he wouldn't just abandon her.
"Don't worry, I won't let the boat tip over!"
Capone tossed her a life jacket, but didn't wear one himself. Sophia asked him why, and he casually replied, "I'm a good swimmer. I don't need it. You should wear it just in case. The boat won't capsize, but who knows? You might end up falling into the sea on your own!"
It was originally a joke, but many years later, Capone would regret saying that. Perhaps, if he hadn't made that remark, there wouldn't have been the tragedy and separation that followed. Sophia wouldn't have disappeared into the blue sea, never to be seen again.
It was almost like a prophecy... or maybe that's just how fate works.
To be honest, Capone's skill at rowing the small boat was quite impressive. He moved steadily forward, neither too fast nor too slow. Sophia thought that if she were to row, she would probably just spin in circles in place, and might even get capsized by a larger wave.
She quietly turned her face to gaze at Capone. With the vast blue sea and sky around them, he looked as calm and harmless as a cloud, yet fearless.
A wave of emotions stirred in her heart. She wasn't sure whether she was lucky or unlucky to have fallen for such an exceptional man. It seemed like nothing could stop him; whatever goal he set for himself in this world, he would achieve it, and no one could stand in his way.
"Is it that beautiful?" Capone noticed her gaze, turned around, and smiled at her. Sophia blushed and quickly turned her eyes away.
"It's fine. I give you permission to stare. If you like it, you can look a bit longer!" His lips curved into a faint smile.
"I wasn't… just didn't expect you to be so good at rowing!" She wouldn't admit that she was lost in thought, staring at him.
"It's no big deal, it's just like driving—basic survival skills! People who live on Mesha Island, many of them know how to row. For me, what's special isn't rowing, it's this boat itself!"
"Do you resent your father?" Sophia remembered that Cronus had told her Capone had complicated feelings about his father—resentment mixed with admiration. After the issue with his mother, his relationship with his father had frozen over, and it probably never thawed even before Henry's death.
Looking at how much Capone cherished this boat, Sophia realized Cronus had been right. The warmth Capone missed from his father was a regret in his heart. Even the smallest pleasant memories he had were precious to him.