chapter 2
Focused on dealing with that dog, I forgot that Sophie herself was also trouble.
Since I returned to the Marshall family, Sophie often comes to see me.
Now, everyone knows I have a very close friend.
In my previous life, I was too oblivious and only realized Arthur and Sophie had an affair after I died.
I abruptly pushed Sophie out and shut the door.
I said, "I'm your fiance, and you want me to apologize to someone else?"
I hung up the phone and blocked Arthur's contact.
It took me a while to come to terms with this reality.
Sophie took the dog back again, but I still had no clue.
I tried hard to recall all the details of my past life, and my head felt like it was about to explode.
Starting early the next morning, Sophie's messages bombarded my phone one after another.
Sophie: [Olivia, can we meet? I really miss you.]
[Are you mad at me? I was just too anxious that day. Im sorry.]
[Please don't ignore me. You're my only friend.]
I can almost picture her fake expression while typing those words.
I felt a wave of nausea in my stomach, gripping my phone so tightly that my knuckles turned white.
Then, I replied: [I've been busy lately. Let's meet another day.]
Seeing that Sophie didn't message me again, I breathed a sigh of relief.
However, I saw her post on Instagram with the caption: [Good friends are the family I choose myself.]
The post had two pictures: one was a photo of her and me at the orphanage, and the other was a painting we made together.
The painting, done roughly with crayons, depicted her and me, and the edges of the paper had already turned yellow.
That was a gift I gave her when we were kids.
In the comments section, our mutual friends and teachers left messages, admiring our friendship that has lasted over a decade.
But I couldn't bring myself to smile.
Because in the reflection of the inconspicuous bedside table in the photo, there was a naked man. He was wearing a luxury watch on his wrist.
That watch was the gift I gave to Arthur.
Sophie quickly commented below, asking me to visit the orphanage together.
She was clearly using moral coercion on me.
Ten minutes later, the orphanage director called.
She said, "Olivia, Sophie said you look down on her for being poor and don't want to meet her. Is that true?"
I bit my lip hard, the taste of blood spreading in my mouth.
But I couldn't share my difficulties with anyone.
I heard myself say in a cold voice, word by word, "How could that be? We've arranged to go shopping together tomorrow afternoon."
The mall lights were glaring.
Sophie held the dog, following me closely.
She said, "Olivia, look at this bag."
She suddenly grabbed me and pointed to the Louis Vuitton bag in the display window, exactly the same as the one I was carrying.
Sophie smiled and said, "The dog has matching accessories too. So cute."
I coldly watched the excited Sophie.
In my previous life, at this moment, I had already taken out the black card and bought that bag.
But now, I just chuckled lightly and said, "I think it's average."
Sophie's expression froze. She bit her lip, and her voice suddenly softened.
She said, "I want to buy it for Oli. But I don't have enough money."
She looked at me, and even the sales clerk behind the counter cast an expectant glance.
The air froze for a second.
I said coldly, "If you don't have enough money, save up some more."
I slowly ran my hand over my bag strap.
I continued, "Or, you could buy a cheaper one? Its all the same for a dog anyway."
Sophies face twisted instantly.
She said, "Olivia, just say it if you look down on me. In your eyes, am I only worthy of buying cheap stuff?"
Sophie was about to continue, but out of the corner of her eye, she suddenly noticed something, and tears immediately welled up.
She said, "Olivia, you're still mad at me for losing my temper that day, aren't you?"
She choked up as she reached for my hand. "I was just worried because Oli was scared."
At that moment, Arthur's voice came from behind. "I'll pay the bill."