Time flies, and it has already been a week since Mike and Sophie's simple courthouse wedding.
In this past week, Sophie has done everything she can to avoid her new husband, even though they live in the same house—just in different rooms. Even with this proximity, Sophie has barely seen his face.
On Tuesday morning, the sounds of feminine moans from Mike's room woke Sophie up once again. "So typical," she muttered as she sat up in her king-sized bed and rubbed her sleepy eyes.
Sophie was about to leave for the bathroom when her phone started buzzing.
"Hey, Haley," Sophie said with a hint of tiredness.
"Surprising! You're up already? I thought I would be the one waking you up," Haley's lively voice came through the speakers of Sophie's phone.
"Yes, Hay, the sound of my stupid husband fucking other women woke me up yet again," Sophie said in annoyance.
"That son of a bitch!" Haley cursed, directing her anger at Mike. Even though he couldn't hear them.
"Just one week since we got married, and I feel like I would choose death over this," Sophie complained as she walked into her bathroom.
"No, Sophie, don't say that! He's not worth it. If anything, he should be the one to go, not you," Haley replied.
Sophie leaned back against the cool tiles of her bathroom, letting out a weary sigh as she reflected on her marriage. "I'm so tired of this marriage already, especially because it's to him," she lamented, the frustration evident in her voice.
Her best friend Haley's voice came through the phone, soothing and firm. "It'll be fine. Just stick to our plan, okay?" she reassured, knowing that Sophie had her back in challenging situations too.
"Okay, Haley," Sophie replied, her tone softening as she felt a flicker of hope amidst the turmoil.
Haley continued, "I called to wake you up, but I see you were already awake. I just wanted to remind you to bring that sample we talked about yesterday to work. My best friend can be a bit forgetful, after all," she said with a playful lilt, prompting Sophie to chuckle, knowing Haley wasn't wrong.
"Alright, Hay! Let me quickly get ready for work, and I'll see you soon," Sophie responded, her spirits beginning to lift.
"See you soon, Mrs. Tyson," Haley teased, and their laughter echoed through the phone, a stark contrast to the tension that loomed over Sophie's life.
"Not funny, Haley," Sophie said, rolling her eyes with a smirk before hanging up. She noted that the muffled moans from earlier had faded, and surprisingly, she found herself indifferent to the remnants of their discord.
After indulging in a refreshing bath and putting on her favorite professional attire, Sophie made her way down the polished wooden stairs, her heels clicking softly against the surface. She had learned to navigate through the unfamiliar layout of the expansive kitchen that morning, where the sun streamed through the large windows, illuminating the cozy yet elegant space.
"Good day, Sophie! What would you like to have? I could prepare something special for you," Mrs. Mac, the gentle and nurturing elderly woman who managed the kitchen, greeted her warmly, her hands busy with a pot of simmering tea.
"Thank you, Mrs. Mac, but please don't trouble yourself. I can handle just coffee," Sophie insisted, trying to get accustomed to everything around her and enjoy a semblance of normalcy.
"But my dear Sophie, I really don't want to stress you out. Besides, it's my job, and Mike has asked that you be left to relax—he wouldn't allow you to do any chores," Mrs. Mac explained, a hint of concern in her voice that caught Sophie off guard.
"I insist, Mrs. Mac," Sophie replied, her smile genuine yet firm. With a soft huff of resignation, Mrs. Mac eventually agreed to linger nearby, ready to assist with whatever Sophie might need.
After finishing her modest breakfast, Sophie prepared to leave for the office. Just then, her bodyguard and driver, Ben, approached with her designer handbag, ready to help her with her daily routine. He transported it to the sleek black SUV that awaited her outside, adhering to Mike's stringent instructions. The reality of this new lifestyle was still an ongoing adjustment for Sophie.
As she reached the vehicle, the driver quickly opened the door for her. Just as she was about to step in, that familiar voice cut through the morning air, "I will be dropping her off today, Ben," Mike announced with an authoritative tone, making it clear that he was taking charge of the situation. Ben complied without question, shifting Sophie's bag to the luxurious sedan that Mike took to work.
"Good morning, my beautiful wife," Mike greeted her, his smile bright but laden with the unsettling weight of their situation, emphasizing the word "wife."
"I would rather book a ride than have you drop me off," Sophie shot back, deliberately ignoring his friendly tone, her heart racing with irritation.
"I apologize, my dear wife, but outside rides are prohibited within this estate," Mike replied with a teasing inflection, as if their strained relationship was merely a whimsical game.
"Then let Ben take me instead. That would be far preferable to riding with you," Sophie asserted, folding her arms defiantly.
"You are going to cause us to be late," Mike remarked calmly, slipping into the backseat and gesturing for Sophie to join him, his expression unreadable.
Feeling cornered, with no other options, Sophie climbed into the vehicle, the heavy door closing behind her with a definitive thud.
The ride to her workplace was notably drawn out and fraught with silence, with Sophie pressing herself against the far door, seeking distance from her husband. She gazed out of the window, watching the world blur by as her thoughts tangled.
"You are aware that you don't have to work, right?" Mike suddenly broke the silence, turning his attention to her.
"And you do know that you don't have to drop me off, correct?" Sophie retorted, still fixated on the passing scenery, refusing to acknowledge him further.
Mike let out a soft chuckle. "Your level of obstinacy is truly remarkable," he said, an amused glint in his eyes.
"I'm beginning to think you were not coerced into this marriage as much as I was, contrary to your claims," Sophie replied, her gaze flickering briefly to meet his before she returned to staring out the window.
"Have a nice day at work today, my darling wife. I'll be here to pick you up by 6 PM," Mike said as the vehicle pulled up outside her workplace, his tone deceptively warm.
"Thanks, but really, there's no need for that," Sophie replied coolly, gripping her bag tightly as she prepared to exit.
"You wish," Mike smirked, pulling away as she stepped out, leaving her standing on the sidewalk, feelings of frustration bubbling beneath the surface.
Outside, she watched Mike's vehicle disappear down the street, mentally chastising him for his unwelcome presence in her life. With a deep breath, she refocused her energy and walked towards the entrance of Soley, the mini fashion institute she had co-founded with Haley. Together, they had poured their hearts into creating a unique and inspiring space for creativity, and as she reflected on their journey, pride surged within her at the progress they had made over the past year.