Chapter 21
177words
Beyond video calls, we were like Romeo and Juliet, kept apart by circumstance. It was especially hard on Jack.
To make it up to him, I found myself agreeing to his increasingly outrageous demands.
Until one day, when I walked through the door after work...
"Jack, dear, try this dish!"
"Don't trouble yourself, ma'am. I'll get something fresh from the market and cook for Sophia myself..."
I froze in the doorway, stunned.
After a moment, I stepped back outside, then re-entered the house.
Nothing changed. In fact, the scene grew even more surreal.
"Do you think Sophia could ever love me? I adore her, completely adore her.
You have no idea how it hurt watching her with that jerk!"
He paused dramatically, his eyes glistening with tears.
"I don't expect anything from her.
I just want to protect her, to be by her side.
I'd do anything—even be her backup plan if that's all she'll allow..."
His voice broke as he finished, looking like a kicked puppy.
