Chapter 398
He thought he was truly sick.
What was he pretending to be, some deeply devoted lover?
He deserved this.
Where was all this effort earlier?
Charlie sighed. "When will Ethan ever move on? Sophia has already started looking forward."
"Hah—" Julian scoffed. "Him? Just wait. As long as Sophia doesn't look back, he'll remember her for a lifetime."
Charlie: "Why?"
Julian: "How does that lyric go? 'You always want what you can't have.' People are just pathetic. You guys have fun, I'm heading out."
"You just got here."
Julian raised an eyebrow. "Olivia's overtime got canceled last minute. I'm picking her up."
Charlie's expression turned knowing. "And that's not turning fake into real?"
Julian waved him off. "What do you know? The act has to be convincing. A boyfriend picking up his girlfriend after work is natural. How else will the family believe we're seriously dating?"
"Time's up. I'm out!" He turned and left.
Charlie was left utterly confused.
Lately, everyone seemed to be under some kind of spell.
Something was off.
Very off.
...
The winter rain drizzled. A bitter wind cut to the bone.
Before eight, the streets were already deserted.
Ethan left the nightclub. He drove straight to Sophia's place.
Jealousy and resentment churned inside him the whole way.
Accusatory questions swirled in his mind—
Didn't you say you weren't close to Sebastian?
Didn't you say it was impossible?
Why did you go home with him to meet his family?
Are you together now?
What's so great about Sebastian?
Why him?
But when he actually reached her building, he didn't dare go up.
He could only sit in his car. He watched the rain hit the windshield, sliding down in streaky patterns.
Ethan's lips curved into a self-mocking smile.
He laughed at his own foolishness and childishness.
He didn't know how long he sat there. Just as he was about to leave, a familiar car came into view.
The rain had stopped.
Sebastian got out. He opened the passenger door.
Sophia got out.
They were talking. Sebastian was smiling. Sophia nodded occasionally.
Sebastian opened the trunk. He pulled out numerous bags and packages.
It looked like they'd just visited family. They brought back a pile of gifts.
Sebastian said, "Grandma specifically insisted. These bird's nest soups, foie gras, truffles—they're all for you."
"This bag is tea from the old man's private stash."
"You liked the tea set in the bedroom. I ordered a smaller version. It'll arrive after the new year."
"And these..."
Sebastian listed them one by one. Sophia was dazzled.
"It's too much..."
"This is after we pared it down. There was originally more."
Sophia fell silent.
The old man and his wife had wanted her to stay.
There were plenty of rooms. She could have lived there permanently.
They would have been thrilled.
But Sophia had to go to the lab tomorrow. Sebastian had to drive her home.
As she was leaving, the old lady held her hand. She repeatedly told her to visit often.
She also stuffed her full of bags. Everything from daily necessities to jewelry and food. You name it.
Every time she traveled, her father, David, would cram her suitcase with food.
She thought she only experienced this "burdensome love" twice a year. Turns out she was naive.
Seeing the preparations the elderly couple made, Sophia realized her father had actually been very restrained.
You can't refuse the kindness of elders.
But getting it all upstairs became a problem.
Sebastian understood. "I'll help you carry it up."
He led the way forward.
Sophia followed gratefully. "Let me take a few bags..."
This scene landed in Ethan's eyes.
It stung, making his eyes burn.
Watching Sebastian's retreating figure, he punched the steering wheel.
He wanted to rush down. He wanted to grab the other man by the collar and punch him hard.
But then he thought—
What right did he have to start a fight?
The ex-boyfriend who couldn't let go?
Or the former best friend?
He gave a twisted smile. In the end, he just watched silently as the two went upstairs.
...
The things were delivered. Sebastian prepared to leave.
Sophia poured him a glass of water and handed it over. "Thanks, Sebastian. Have some water before you go."
Sebastian looked up. "Alright."
Sophia started tidying the things briefly. She planned to sort them properly tomorrow.
Suddenly, a loud bang sounded. The wind had picked up.
She hadn't closed the balcony door during the day. Now it slammed shut violently.
She remembered the potted plants were still on the balcony. If the wind blew them down and they hit someone, it would be trouble.
Sophia stopped what she was doing. She hurried to move the plants.
One pot was particularly heavy. She tried a few times but couldn't lift it.
A pair of hands reached over. They steadily picked up the flowerpot.
Sebastian said, "I'll do it."
Sophia breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks, Sebastian."
As she pulled her hand back, she accidentally brushed against Sebastian. She didn't pay it any mind.
The man's gaze tightened slightly. But he didn't show any emotion.
Watching him easily move the parlor palm inside, Sophia pointed to a few other pots. "These need to be moved too..."
Sebastian laughed, exasperated. "Do I look like a mover?"
Sophia shook her head. "No. But you're my... you know. You said it yourself. If I have trouble, I should find my... you know."
Sebastian was left speechless.
To hell with "you know"!
He thought he was truly sick. Any term of address sounded incredibly sweet coming from her lips.
Normally, tending to plants didn't seem like much. But moving them pot by pot indoors made Sophia realize how exhausting it was.
They finally finished. She was about to go to the balcony to get the watering can when Sebastian spoke. "You've got mud on your face."
Sophia: "Here?"
"No." Sebastian pulled out a tissue. He stepped forward. He was about to raise his hand to wipe it for her.
Sophia took two steps back. She took a small mirror from the drawer. She wiped her face while looking in the mirror.
She smiled as she wiped. "Isn't this easier? No need to trouble you."
Sebastian calmly withdrew his hand. He suppressed the turmoil in his eyes. He gave a light laugh. "If there's nothing else, I'll head out."
"Okay." Sophia saw him to the door.
Downstairs at the alley entrance.
Ethan hadn't left.
He'd sat in his car for half an hour. He stared at the building entrance, restless and uneasy.
He'd run through every possible scenario in his head.
Watching the lit window on the seventh floor, he restrained himself repeatedly to keep from going up and knocking.
Would Sebastian stay the night?
The moment the word "cohabitation" surfaced, Ethan felt a heart-rending pain.
Just as he was despairing, he suddenly saw Sebastian walk out of the building.
At that moment, the tightly drawn string in his heart loosened. He felt relief, but it was filled with bitterness.
Knock knock—
Ethan turned his head. He rolled down the window.
Sebastian stood by the car. He wore a faint, mocking smile. "This isn't a coincidence this time, is it?"
That lousy excuse had been used too many times. Probably even he didn't believe it anymore.
Ethan gripped the steering wheel tightly. His eyes narrowed. "You knew I was downstairs."
It was a statement.
"Correct." Sebastian told the truth.
Ethan's fingers turned white. His heart felt like ants were gnawing at it. "Are you two together now?"
Sebastian gave a light laugh. He refused to answer.
Even if they weren't together now, even if they were, he wouldn't use it as a point of pride.
He and Ethan—
They were different.