Chapter 173

She felt a deep calm.

He no longer easily swayed her emotions as he had right after the breakup.

Time was the best healer.

Even the deepest wounds would eventually scar over.

Sophia Sullivan had long since moved on.

Those past pains had gradually faded with time.

"What is it?" Sophia asked.

"Can we talk somewhere else?"

Sophia: "We have nothing to talk about."

"Clara…"

"Please use my full name."

Ethan Roscente looked at Alexander Laurent.

The other man showed no intention of leaving them alone.

Ethan pressed his lips together.

Sophia was afraid to be alone with him.

"Let's go," she said to Alexander.

Alexander gave a slight nod.

"You two are a 'we'? Then what does that make me?" Ethan's eyes reddened.

He was struggling to contain his anger.

His voice softened. "I don't accept that 'congratulations' you offered the other day."

I heard you're going to be a father. Congratulations…

Sophia frowned. "You…"

"If you won't forgive me, I will never have a child in this lifetime. Any child of mine can only be born from you."

Sophia: "…"

Alexander: "…"

They both fell silent simultaneously.

What kind of absurd statement was that?

Sophia: "You should go see a doctor."

Ethan: "?"

"Get treated for your illness early."

She took Alexander's hand and quickly walked away.

She only breathed a sigh of relief once they entered the apartment building.

"Sorry, Professor. That was embarrassing."

It was the first time Sophia felt genuine shame over an ex.

Alexander was silent for a moment.

"You've… been through a lot."

"…"

Sophia finished her shower and got dressed.

She checked the balcony to confirm no one was downstairs before grabbing her shopping bag to leave.

She was treating Alexander to lunch and needed fresh ingredients from the market.

"Professor?" She spotted a familiar figure at the mouth of the alley.

"What are you doing here?"

The man had just showered; his hair was still damp.

"Weren't you going shopping? I'll join you."

Sophia paused, then understood he was worried about her.

"Thank you."

Alexander smiled. "Let's go."

"Okay."

…

By ten in the morning, they had returned with the groceries.

Sophia carefully cleaned the sea bass.

She removed the congealed blood from the bone crevices.

She soaked it in scallion and ginger water to remove the fishy smell.

She planned to make salt and pepper spot prawns.

With the two main dishes prepared,

only the side dishes and soup remained.

Alexander rolled up his sleeves and helped wash and chop vegetables.

His movements were efficient and neat.

Sophia smiled and tried to stop him. "I can't let a guest work in the kitchen."

"This guest is happy to help."

The prep work went much faster.

Sophia fished out the sea bass and patted it dry.

She coated it with cooking oil to seal in the freshness.

Alexander stood nearby. "Need any help?"

"Could you grab the steaming rack for me?"

"Sure."

He reached for the rack above her head.

The motion briefly enveloped her within the space of his arms.

It was done quickly, without any awkwardness.

"I'll take it," Sophia said, reaching out.

Alexander handed it over.

Their fingertips brushed accidentally.

The man's breath hitched slightly.

Sophia didn't notice, taking the rack to steam the fish.

"Anything else?" Alexander withdrew his hand.

Sophia glanced at the counter. "Everything's prepped. You can wait outside."

The kitchen suddenly felt much more spacious.

The air seemed to cool down a little.

Twenty minutes later—

Sophia turned off the heat, took off her apron, and started bringing dishes to the table.

Alexander had already set out the bowls and chopsticks.

"The soup is still in the kitchen. I'll get it," he offered, heading towards the kitchen.

Sophia opened the fridge and took out two cans of beer.

She turned and met the man's gaze.

She felt inexplicably guilty.

"I bought these with Olivia the other day. Would you like one, Professor?"

She immediately felt strange. Why did she feel guilty?

Amusement flickered in Alexander's eyes. "I have to go to the lab this afternoon. I'll pass."

"Then I…"

Alexander looked at her quietly.

Sophia swallowed. "…probably shouldn't either?"

"Mm. Come eat."

Sophia obediently put the beer back in the fridge.

They sat down.

Sophia suddenly stood up, looking at Alexander seriously.

"Professor, thank you for all your help recently. Without the lab, I might still be doubting myself."

"Let me propose a toast to you with soup instead of wine."

She had originally intended to use beer, but now soup would have to do.

"I merely provided the space. You completed the experiments and data analysis yourself."

He didn't claim any credit.

Sophia understood the importance of the lab access.

He truly trusted her.