Because It's You - English Version

¤ 17 - Do You Hate Her?

"Have you taken her to her flat?" Sophie asked in a low voice as she saw Liam appear at the door of the children's room.

Liam nodded. Sophie got up from Amelia's bed carefully and turned off the bedroom light. She and Liam sat in the sitting room enjoying their late night snacks. Sophie sighed several times as she recounted Nate's story to Liam.

"I really feel sorry for her. Philip was right, I should have heard all sides of the story," said Sophie. "Didn't you also criticise her and say that she didn't deserve to go back to Julian?"

"Yes, she does deserve to be criticised for her actions, whatever the reason. However, that doesn't mean Julian wasn't problematic in their relationship," replied Liam. "I really don't get it. He used to reject every girl who hit on him because he was head over heels for Tillie. But he was paying attention to them after he married her? Did he regret missing out on his single life?"

Sophie shrugged. "Only he understood the wherefore."

Sophie rested her head on her husband's arm. She was processing the information she had just received again, trying to recreate it in her head. Tears fell from the corners of her eyes unknowingly. Liam immediately turned to look at Sophie.

"If I ever did that to you, you'd better leave me instead of cheating on me." Liam said as he wiped the tears on Sophie's cheeks.

Sophie immediately hit his arm. "Of course I won't let you do that to me."

Julian came to visit Sophie as soon as he returned to Stockholm. He brought toys for Lucas and Amelia too.

"Look what Uncle Julian brought you guys!" said Sophie, followed by cheers from her two children.

After that, Julian accompanied Lucas and Amelia to play puzzles, while Sophie cooked in the kitchen. He came there often times, so he was quite familiar with the kids. Unfortunately, Liam had an urgent business that day, so he couldn't join them for lunch.

As Sophie turned to get something from the fridge, she saw Julian looking at Amelia. Sophie had always thought that he was just mesmerised by Amelia's cuteness. She didn't know that Julian actually had a son who was about Amelia's age if he had been born. Julian must have imagined a lot of times how different his life would be with their son, and Nate by his side.

"I was going to invite Nate too, but she said she was taking care of the babies." Sophie said as they were enjoying dessert, while Lucas and Amelia were busy playing again after finishing their lunch.

Julian stared at the cheesecake in front of him without responding. He recalled his last conversation with Nate. He actually wondered if she would really leave after all he said. However, no one around Julian told him about her leaving. So, he was sure that Nate was still in this city.

"Do you hate her?" Sophie asked all of a sudden. Julian looked up at her.

"She did let me down, but I never hated her." Julian replied in a low voice.

"Then what's with 20 years? Isn't that the same as removing her all the way from your life?"

Julian couldn't hide his surprise this time. He didn't tell anyone about it at all. "Did you meet her?"

"She came here a few days ago."

"So, you've finally made it to get close to her now?" Julian muttered as he poked his fork into his cake. "Ah, she must feel less worried after learning that you have a family."

"Have you ever introduced your friends to her?"

Julian shook his head. "She was never interested in my personal life."