I Walked Away Seven Years Too Late But Right on Time novel Chapter 85

By lunchtime, Luke still hadn't come downstairs.

Eleanor went up to check on him several times, but he merely said he was too exhausted and wanted to sleep.

Sophie's silhouette filled his mind, but it was Gavin's final words echoing relentlessly in his ears.

"A good relationship should bring happiness and joy. By dragging her into your mess of a life over and over again, you've already proven you don't deserve to love her."

That was what Gavin had said as Luke was walking away. Every single syllable hammered into his chest.

He hadn't argued back. There was nothing he could say.

From the very beginning of their relationship, he had been selfish. He knew his own chaotic baggage hadn't been dealt with, but he always thought he could keep her by his side first and handle the problems later.

One year turned into two... he dragged his feet, again and again... and his problems remained unsolved.

He thought hiding her was a way to protect her, but that wasn't what she wanted. What she wanted, he simply couldn't give.

This time, Sophie was attacked with industrial bleach. What about next time?

He remembered Eileen smashing the bowl on the floor, screaming hysterically: "If you dare call off the wedding, I'll kill myself! And even if I die, I won't let her live in peace! None of us will ever have peace!"

The sheer malice on her face made Luke violently kick his chair in frustration.

Sophie felt much more at ease after hearing that her mother's voice didn't sound as weak as it had the night before. Still, she had no appetite, barely picking at the spicy cold noodles on her plate.

Wendy Walsh from HR walked over with her tray, and Gwen immediately waved her down. The cafeteria was packed, so Gwen enthusiastically offered her a seat at their table.

"It really is the season for diets. Sophie, you're already so skinny, how can you not even finish a plate of noodles?"

Wendy looked down at her own Heritage Trio—a pulled pork sandwich, spicy cold noodles, and a craft soda. Her meal had triple the calories of Sophie's.

"I just don't have much of an appetite. I think my stomach is a little off," Sophie lied casually.

"Really? Have you seen a doctor? Stomach issues can escalate quickly. Oh, speaking of which, the company scheduled a physical next week. You can get it checked out then."

Gwen perked up immediately. "Mr. Baxter ordered it? Why would that cheapskate suddenly care about our health? I thought we only did physicals every three years, and didn't we just have one last year?"

"Maybe... he's just paying more attention to his own health these days." Wendy winked at Gwen.

Gwen let out an exaggerated "Ohhh," and the two shared a knowing, mischievous laugh.

Sophie sat quietly, listening to their banter, her mind racing. She asked, "When did Mr. Baxter schedule the physical?"

"Just this morning. He had his secretary book it. The clinic couldn't fit us in until next week."

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