Chapter 250: Three Women, One Stage

"I understand what you're saying, and I'm not trying to compete with you for him. Henry is the first man who's ever moved my heart. If it's possible, I don't need any status or title; I'm not fighting with you. I just want to be with him simply," Katherine confessed, a statement that took Sophie completely by surprise. She had never anticipated such a declaration; it was an unexpected move. Staring at Katherine in disbelief, Sophie took a moment before responding, "I really didn't expect to hear this. Has society really become so open?" "Sophie, I'm speaking from my heart. I won't disrupt your family or seek any status that might replace your place in his heart. I just want to be with him, that's all..." "Thank you for your honesty, but as a woman, I must advise you not to play with fire. And as a police officer, there are things that might not be governed by law but are still unacceptable morally," Sophie cautiously added. "For him, I'm willing to give up everything!" Katherine declared firmly, a resolve in her eyes. At that moment, Sophie felt an unprecedented pressure, a tension emanating from Katherine. "I'm sorry, but this is something I cannot accept. So, I suggest you abandon this idea," Sophie finally stated coldly. Katherine bit her lip in frustration and then questioned, "Do you truly understand him?" "Of course!" "No, you don't..." Katherine countered. Sophie was momentarily taken aback, unsure how to respond, when suddenly another person entered the restroom, interrupting their intense exchange. "Sophie, what are you doing here?" The newcomer was Rowan from The Erickson Group, a welcome interruption for Sophie. "Rowan, you're here too!" Sophie felt a sense of relief. "Oh, I came to eat with some friends. What about you?" Rowan inquired. Although Rowan also harbored feelings for Henry, she didn't express them as openly as Katherine. Instead, she kept her affection deeply buried. Seeing Sophie, though slightly uneasy, manage to regain her composure, "Rowan, let me introduce you. This is Officer Katherine Cavendish, who has just transferred to King City. Henry and I are here to welcome her," Sophie managed to say with a semblance of normalcy. "Oh, Officer Cavendish, it's nice to meet you. I'm Rowan," Rowan said, offering a handshake with a cheerful smile. "Nice to meet you, I'm Katherine," Katherine responded, equally pleasant. "What a coincidence! Since Henry's here too, why don't you join us? We're all friends," Sophie suggested, seeing an opportunity. Rowan hesitated, fearing the potential awkwardness. Yet, missing Henry and curious, she finally nodded in agreement after some thought. Henry, meanwhile, was growing increasingly anxious with Sophie and Katherine's prolonged absence. Just as they returned, easing some of his worry, he caught sight of Rowan and felt his heart leap to his throat. Today seemed to be a day when everything that could happen, did. Managing two women was already a challenge; now, with Rowan's addition, he braced for an evening of turmoil, anticipating long-term repercussions. "Ah, Rowan's here too! Please, have a seat," Felix greeted warmly as he saw her. "Hello, Uncle Felix, hello everyone!" Rowan greeted everyone with haste. "Henry, Rowan's here. Aren't you going to say hello or offer her a seat?" Sophie chided after sitting down, giving Henry a pointed look. "Oh... right," Henry quickly got up, gestured for Rowan to take a seat, and then took a spot beside her. The dinner, intended as a simple welcome, turned into a theatrical display with three women at the center. It appeared lively, but only Henry knew the brewing storm. The meal dragged on for nearly two hours, with Henry barely touching his food, haunted by visions of Sophie's wrath and metaphorical kneelings. After everyone left, Henry and Sophie got into the car, with Henry not daring to utter a word, ready to drive home. "Go to the moat," Sophie commanded coldly as they started. "Honey, why the moat this late? Plus, you've had some drink, and the night air might make you feel worse. Let's just go home," Henry attempted to dissuade her. "What are you babbling about?" Sophie shot back, "Are you afraid I'll jump into the river or something?!" "Uh..." "Fine, if you jump, I'll save you..." Henry mumbled, stepping on the accelerator towards the moat. At the head of the moat bridge, a man and a woman stood in silence, their gazes lost in the gently flowing river water. Under the moonlight, she looked stunningly beautiful, and he, with his sharply defined features, wore an expression of deep tension. "Let's talk," Sophie finally broke the silence with her soft voice. "Talk about what?" Henry looked perplexed. "What's going on between you and Katherine? What did you do to her?" Sophie's tone was cold. "Ah..." Henry opened his mouth, then quickly gestured with his hands, "Please, don't get me wrong, I have nothing going on with her." "Don't call me your wife!" Sophie interjected sharply. "Alright, Sophie, I'm telling the truth. There's really nothing between her and me. She said she liked me, but I rejected her right away. Who knew she would end up coming to King City!" Henry hurriedly explained. "I brought you to dinner today not just for the meal, but to show her that, in my eyes, the most beautiful and kindest woman is my wife. You're the only one in my heart; I don't care about anyone else." His words brought a wave of warmth to Sophie's heart, as sweet nothings often do, especially when spoken with such sincerity. "Are you telling the truth?!" "On my honor!" "Okay, I believe you. But I think you and her would be a good match, and it's only a matter of time before we end things," Sophie said, her voice tinged with sadness, tears shimmering in her eyes. "Sophie, you don't need to remind me of that. Even if we do end up divorcing, you'll always be irreplaceable in my heart," Henry responded seriously. "I know, besides Katherine, Rowan likes you too. I can see it in her eyes, though she's not as upfront as Katherine." "Oh, come on..." "If you're drunk, I'll take you home. I really don't want to hear this anymore." "If you don't want to hear it, then let's divorce!" Sophie shouted at Henry. Faced with Sophie's stance, Henry felt a wave of helplessness wash over him and finally nodded, "Okay, I agree!" As the words left his mouth, Sophie stood frozen, staring at Henry as tears streamed down her face. "I really don't understand you!" "It's you who doesn't want to understand, you who doesn't trust me!" Henry replied bluntly. "I'm tired. I want to go back," Sophie said, her steps unsteady as she walked towards the car, seemingly drunk. "First thing tomorrow morning, we'll go to the civil affairs office!" Hearing this, Henry sighed in his heart, a sense of resignation rather than anger, thinking to himself, "What a stubborn woman," before he walked towards the car.