Page 143 of Jude

Sofia arched a brow.

‘Was that you, gifting me the Honda?’

‘You’re my wife,’ I rumbled, my jaw tightening as I refused to apologize for marking what was mine. ‘My job is to take care of you.’

‘Why?’

‘I want you back, babe. In my bed, my home, my life.’

She narrowed her eyes at me.

‘You gave away your right to claim me the second you believed a mob setup over my devotion, Jude. No silver-tongued promise or second-hand wheels buys back a wife you branded a liar.’

Her words hit like successive punches to the ribs, yet I held her gaze, refusing to let her see how rattled I was.

‘Yet you’re keeping the keys,’ I smirked.

‘Until I buy my own ride, yes,’ she snapped, her eyes flashing fire. ‘Then I’m throwing them right at your fucking face.’

She whirled around and stormed away.

The rejection tore into me, but witnessing her fight back only lit a fire in me.

Fuck, she was a masterpiece.

Which only made me want her that much more.

The hunt was on.

SOFIA

When I tried to focus on my cleaning shifts, my mind replayed Jude’s harsh accusations on a continuous loop.

At the same time, I tried to make sense of his betrayal.

How could a man with his background and experience be so naive as to fall for a down-and-dirty scam?

I sometimes rage-cried in my Civic as I drove to work in the second car Jude bought me, love-hating him, so angry at him, yet still in awe of him.

Later that night, I texted my friend group on WhatsApp, seeking their wisdom.

Sofia: He keeps coming around, looking for me, ladies.

Anya: What does he have to say for himself?

Sofia: He discovered I was telling the truth and wants me back. He’s seemed so broken. I want to comfort him, but the hurt is just too deep. I can’t take him back.

Anya: Listen to me, Sofia. We won’t sit here and call him a monster because we know what he did to protect you. Anger is easy, but it won’t fix your heart.

Tina: You don’t have to forgive him now, but you also need to ask whether one bad argument means you lose each other for life. Listen to your heart; allow it to do the guiding, not your pride.

Esperanza: Quiet the noise around you, cara. Fierce love requires intense honesty with yourself. If your love is true, it will map the way back to him. Stay safe, chica.

I leaned my head against the cold wall, mulling their words.

They weren’t dismissing my agony. They were reminding me I needed to find a way forward I could live with for life.

Sofia: You girls remain my bedrock. What would I ever do without you? xox