Too Late She Already Married Mr. Right (Sophia) novel Chapter 270

Hearing Richard speak to her so gently for once, Annabelle couldn't stop the smile tugging at her lips.

Sophia knew that avoiding things wasn't going to solve anything.

Her relationship with Richard was far from innocent now, and there were things she needed to be honest about sooner rather than later.

She didn't want to mislead either herself or him.

"Annabelle, pull over. I need to talk to Mr. Sterling alone," Sophia said.

What she had to say would probably hurt Richard's pride, and it wasn't something she wanted to say in front of Annabelle.

Annabelle's smile instantly faded.

She knew Sophia too well-if Sophia was asking her to step aside, whatever she was about to say definitely wasn't something Richard would want to hear.

Annabelle gave Sophia that look, like You sure you don't want to rethink this?

"You don't just stumble across a guy like Richard-he's top-tier material. Miss out on him, and who knows if someone that amazing will ever come around again?'

Sophia offered Annabelle a gentle, reassuring smile, her gaze resolute and unwavering.

Annabelle sighed, pulled over, and wandered over to a nearby shop for a popsicle. She squatted at the curb, nibbling on her treat, waiting out the awkward moment.

Inside the car, Sophia sat there in silence.

On the other end, Richard kept feeling his eye twitch

—he couldn't shake the feeling that if he acted this impulsively, it could end in total disaster.

But waiting just wasn't an option for him.

The moment he woke up and realized Sophia had left without a word, he panicked hard.

'That's definitely not the behavior of someone who wants to take this further with me, Richard thought.

'If I don't call her right away and make my feelings clear, she'll think I'm not serious about her at all;

Richard fretted

"Sophia, why'd you leave before I woke up?" Richard asked, unable to hide a trace of hurt in his voice.

They'd come in together, but now he was sitting there all alone, feeling as if he'd been left behind in the dust.

Sophia pressed her lips into a thin line, her hands curling tightly into fists on her knees, trying to hold

back all the restless thoughts swirling inside.

He didn't sound angry or like he was blaming her-just quietly disappointed.

That only made her feel worse.

"Mr. Sterling, what happened last night was unexpected. I didn't push harder to send Emily away, and because I let her stay, she had the chance to take advantage of everything. I'm sorry," Sophia whispered, her guilt nearly suffocating her.

Richard's eyes darkened a bit, but his tone stayed gentle. "You know that's not what I want to hear."

What happened last night was already done, and truth be told, he'd been the one who pushed things first.

There was no way he'd ever let her take the blame for it.

Sophia gripped her pants tightly, doing her best to come off as cold and detached.

"Mr. Sterling, if we're being honest, I was the one who crossed the line last night. The apology should really be coming from me, she said, forcing her voice to stay calm even though her heart was a mess.

"Sophia!" Richard could already hear how cold she sounded. He let out a bitter laugh and asked, "So, there's really nothing else you want to say to me?"

Sophia shut her eyes tight, feeling needles stabbing

right through her heart. "T'm sorry. Let's not see each other again."

She didn't even care how Richard reacted; she just ended the call without a second thought.

"There's no future for us. What's the point in getting tangled up any longer?' Sophia told herself, trying to numb the ache inside.

By the time Annabelle finished her popsicle and climbed back into the car, she noticed her phone was off

Annabelle turned to Sophia, and instantly saw her red, tear-filled eyes—it was obvious she'd just been crying her heart out

She hesitated for a second, then asked softly, "Sophie, how did things go between you and Richard?*

Sophia quickly wiped her eyes, hoping Annabelle wouldn't catch on that she'd been crying

I'm really sorry, Annabelle, for making you drive all the way back to Jelasburg alone. You should just head home and get some proper rest—I'll make my own way to the airport," Sophia said gently

Annabelle had been at the wheel this whole time, and after roughing it last night in that sightseeing bus, she had to be exhausted

Expecting her to join me for a flight and keep running around would honestly be too much right now

Annabelle's eyes widened in mock horror, like the sky was falling. "Sophie, you really just gonna leave me behind and party on your own?*

Sophia just stood there, at a total loss for words.

No way, no way! We promised we'd go on this trip together-you can't just ditch me and leave me behind," Annabelle whined, her voice full of mock outrage.

Annabelle shot her a look. "Come on, just admit you want me to go with you, or I'll make a scene."

"That's right," Richard answered.

The guard scratched his head. "About two hours ago.

Ms. Quinn and Ms. Evans headed out with their suitcases."

The guard was on shift at the main entrance today, so he saw them leave They were both really pretty and super easy to talk to

-hard not to remember them

Richard's expression visibly darkened. He knew Sophia didn't want to see him, but he never expected her to cut him off so completely.

She was dodging him like he was radioactive-like she couldn't get away from him fast enough.

Is that all I am to her now? Just a walking disaster she wants nothing to do with?' Richard thought bitterly, the sting sharp in his chest

The security guard could feel Richard's intimidating presence so strongly that he went completely silent, almost afraid to even breathe.

The building manager, clearly very experienced, stepped up and said politely, "Sir, that's all the information we have. If there's nothing else, would you please move along?"

Richard walked out of the apartment complex feeling totally crushed. Every step he took was heavy, and no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't shake off the emptiness inside.

He pulled out his phone and called Harley. 'Harley, I need you to find out where Sophia went. Now.

Harley was just chilling on his weekend off when

Richard called out of nowhere. He scrambled to reply, Wait, boss, weren't you and Ms. Evans supposed to be

relaxing at the resort? How'd she end up MIA?"

It felt like someone had plunged a knife straight into

Richard's chest.

Just last night, she'd been nestled close in his arms-and now, today, he didn't even know where she'd disappeared to.

Just thinking back to her words on the phone-"Let's not meet again®-made Richard's lips press into a hard line, the ache in his chest turning even sharper. He let out a bitter breath and said, "Forget it. Don't bother looking for her."

If she needed some time to herself, he'd give her that

—whether he liked it or not

But once this cooling-off period was over, there was no way he was letting her decide everything between them ever again.

The plane landed in Haisburg, and a wave of heat smacked them as soon as they stepped outside. With her sunglasses on, Sophia walked out of the airport beside Annabelle.