Dr. Bennett sat across from Alexander in the sitting room, his medical bag placed neatly beside him. After a thorough check-up of Sophia, he leaned back and said calmly, "Your wife is perfectly fine, Mr. Sterling. There are no signs of a concussion or any other complications from her fall earlier today. She's healthy."
Alexander's brow furrowed deeply. He didn't trust this answer. Sophia's behavior since waking up had been far from normal. Her sudden detachment, her refusal to engage with him, and, most disturbingly, her demand for a divorce—it didn't align with the docile woman he had married.
"Are you sure?" Alexander pressed, his voice colder than usual. "This isn't just some delayed reaction to the trauma? Something psychological, perhaps?"
Dr. Bennett sighed but maintained his professionalism. "I can assure you, Mr. Sterling, that physically and mentally, she's fine. Sometimes, people experience moments of clarity after incidents like this. Perhaps she's reassessing certain things in her life."
Alexander's jaw tightened. He didn't like the sound of that. "Thank you, Doctor. Butler Kim will see you out."
With a polite nod, Dr. Bennett left, escorted by Butler Kim. As the door closed, Alexander turned his attention back to the master bedroom where Sophia was seated, scrolling through her phone.
He straightened his suit jacket and walked back into the room, determined to confront her. Sophia, however, barely acknowledged his presence. Her eyes remained fixed on her phone, her fingers typing away.
"Who are you talking to?" Alexander demanded, his tone sharp.
Sophia glanced up briefly, her expression blank. "Friends."
The response was so dismissive it threw him off guard. For years, Sophia had hung on his every word, her world revolving solely around him. Now, it was as though he barely existed in hers.
"Friends?" he repeated, stepping closer. "Since when do you have friends you talk to this much?"
Sophia finally set her phone down, looking at him with an icy glare. "Alexander, you're not the center of my universe anymore. I suggest you get used to it."
Her words struck him like a slap. "What has gotten into you, Sophia?" he demanded, his voice lowering. "Is this your way of trying to get my attention? Acting out like this?"
Sophia stood up, her demeanor calm yet firm. "If I wanted your attention, Alexander, I wouldn't waste my time playing games. Oh, and speaking of games—make sure you stay in another room tonight. I don't want to see you anywhere near me."
Alexander froze, staring at her in disbelief. He smirked, though the tension in his shoulders betrayed him. "You're joking."
"No," Sophia replied flatly. "I'm not."
He crossed the room in three long strides, grabbing her by the shoulders and pinning her to the bed. His grip wasn't rough, but it was unyielding. "Fine," he said in a low voice, his lips dangerously close to hers. "You want my attention? You've got it, Sophia. Now stop this nonsense and act like my wife."
Sophia's heart pounded, but not from fear—she was furious. As he leaned down, attempting to kiss her, she summoned all her strength and pushed him off with a force that surprised even her.
Alexander stumbled back, stunned.
She stood up, her chest heaving with anger, and without hesitation, slapped him across the face. The sound echoed through the room, leaving a stunned silence in its wake.
"Don't you ever touch me like that again," Sophia spat, her voice trembling with rage. "Stay away from me until this divorce is finalized."
Alexander rubbed his cheek, his shock evident as he watched her storm toward the door.
"Oh, and one more thing," Sophia added, pausing at the threshold. She turned to him, her gaze cold and unforgiving. "For years, I was blind, chasing after a man who was as useless and ugly as you. But not anymore."
With that, she slammed the door behind her, leaving Alexander alone in the room, grappling with her cutting words.
---
Sophia retreated to a guest room on the other side of the mansion. Closing the door behind her, she let out a long, shaky breath. Her hands trembled slightly, but she steadied herself.
Walking over to the window, she gazed out at the night sky. The moon hung low, casting a silver glow over the sprawling estate.
A small, satisfied smile crept across her face. "Your game has begun, Alexander," she whispered to herself.
She didn't bother with dinner, her appetite long gone after the encounter. Curling up on the bed, she let the tension of the day wash away. For the first time in years, she felt a sense of control, and it was exhilarating.
---
The next morning, Alexander descended the stairs, impeccably dressed for work. His dark suit clung perfectly to his broad frame, and his polished shoes clicked against the marble floor.
But something was off. The dining table was empty, and the usual aroma of breakfast was absent.
Frowning, he called over a maid. "Where's breakfast?" he demanded.
The maid hesitated. "Sir, Madam is still asleep."
Alexander's brow furrowed further. Sophia had never once slept in while married to him. She was always up early, ensuring everything in the house ran smoothly.
He waved his hand dismissively, muttering under his breath. "Unbelievable."
Leaving the house in a cold fury, he ignored the gnawing unease in his chest.
---
Sophia finally emerged from her room around mid-morning, still dressed in her silk pajamas. Her hair was slightly tousled, and her expression was one of serene disinterest.
As she descended the stairs, a maid hurried over to her. "Madam, Sir left for work earlier. He didn't have breakfast, and he looked upset."
Sophia's cold gaze stopped the maid in her tracks. "Do not report anything about Alexander to me again. Unless, of course, you don't want your job anymore."
The maid stammered, "I'm so sorry, Madam. I didn't mean to—"
"Call the cook," Sophia interrupted, her tone ice-cold. "Tell them I'm hungry, and I want breakfast prepared immediately."
"Yes, Madam," the maid said, scurrying off to carry out her orders.
As Sophia settled into a chair in the sunlit breakfast nook, she leaned back and closed her eyes, savoring the peace. She didn't know what Alexander's next move would be, but she didn't care. For now, this was her time, and she was going to make the most of it.