Atrophy of Love: Mr. Harris, Stop Fooling Around! novel Chapter 180

"What brings you here today, Mom?" Charles asked after retracting his hand. He spoke as if he did not catch the profound meaning of her words.

"I made some soup and thought of Soph." Yvette motioned to the servant to serve the soup. She then looked at him, saying with a hint of displeasure, "Why are you in Soph’s ward? I remember telling you to leave her alone for a period of time."

Charles glanced in Sophia's direction and said, "She passed the critical period."

Sophia frowned but did not say anything. Her silence was acquiescence.

After hearing what he said, Yvette did not rebuke Charles further for coming to Sophia’s ward.

"Ms. White, Madam boiled this soup all night by herself. Do give it a taste." The servant filled a bowl of soup and handed it to Sophia with a smile.

Sophia had not eaten for a long time and was slightly hungry now. She thanked her and took a sip from the bowl.

"Young Master." The servant took another bowl and brought it to Charles dutifully.

Charles laid on the bed and did not move. He was unable to move either. "I don't want to drink it now. Leave it aside first."

"Sit up and drink some. It’s good for your body," Yvette took the bowl and said to him.

Charles smiled. The burning sensation on his neck had faded, but his throat was still quite sore. "I can’t stand the fishy odor. I won’t be drinking it."

Yvette became suspicious because he would not usually decline her offers again and again. She glanced at him and lifted his shirt without warning.

"Can't move because you’re under anesthesia?" she asked, looking at the wound on his abdomen.

After hearing what she said, Sophia drank the soup much slower now. She stared at both mother and son with dark and gloomy eyes.

Charles hummed mildly. "Please put my shirt down. It’s cold."

"How did you hurt yourself?" Yvette asked, taking several more glances at the bandage before pulling his shirt down.

Charles said succinctly, "It's just a minor injury. It will heal after a while. You don't have to worry too much."

Seeing that he had no intention to share the details, Yvette frowned but did not press him on. She got up and was about to put the soup on the table when she noticed the blue-purple choke marks on his neck out of the corner of her eye. "What happened to your neck?"

The bowl in Sophia's hand shook a little, nearly spilling the soup on the ground.

"It's nothing." Charles frowned and looked at Sophia. Only after seeing that the soup did not spill on her did his tightly furrowed brows smooth out again.

The servant looked at Sophia's pale face and asked, "Why do you look so pale, Ms. White? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?"

After hearing what she said, Yvette followed the servant’s gaze and saw Sophia's pale face. She then turned to glance at the choke marks on his son's neck that clearly belonged to that of a woman's hand. Her eyes flashed a dull color, seemingly pensive.

"I’m fine." Sophia licked her dry lips.

The servant did not think too much either and answered. "You should drink more bone broth. It’s very effective in replenishing your body’s lost nutrients. Your complexion doesn't look so good."

"Mm. Thank you." Sophia noticed the look that Yvette had given her earlier and felt uneasy. She wondered if Aunt Harris knew the truth.

No psychological barriers could stop her from choking Charles, but he was Aunt Harris’ biological son after all. Moreover, Aunt Harris was so kind to her, so she selfishly wanted to keep this a secret from Aunt Harris.

"The two of you can quarrel and argue, but you must never do anything that puts your life at risk like that." Yvette looked at Charles and Sophia with a meaningful glance. "Humans only live once. There will be nothing left if you die."

Sophia was sure now that Aunt Harris knew that she had choked Charles. Blood completely drained from her face. Her hands were clenched, and her thick, curled butterfly-wing eyelashes trembled a few times.

"You don’t have to thank me for minor matters like that." Charles looked slightly weary. "You are my woman… Of course, I should protect you."

Sophia frowned, extremely disgusted by his word. She felt sick.

She harrumphed heavily and asked him, "What about your marriage contract with Leah? What are you going to do about it?"

"We're not engaged." Charles frowned imperceptibly and recovered in no time.

Sophia sneered. "You’re not engaged now, but you still need to get engaged in the future, no?"

Charles opened his mouth but eventually pursed his lips and remained silent after he thought of something.

"I will not be your lover." Sophia said word by word, "Not even if you threaten me with my brother, Nicole, or whoever it may be. I will never be your lover!"

Charles' pupils reflected the determination on her face. “I will find a way to deal with this."

"You’re reluctant to sever all ties with Leah?" Sophia mocked.

Charles replied, "No."

He said one word only without giving further explanations.

Sophia laughed with unknown significance, refusing to believe his words. Even so, she did not say anything else. She picked up the bowl again and started sipping on the soup.

"I'm hungry too," Charles said, looking at her.

Sophia glanced at him, stood up, and said in a cool voice, "I'll get a nurse to feed you."