Zachary''s eyes were calm, and his tone so casual and natural that it made Sophia feel a little guilty for no reason. She remembered reading somewhere that one should never try to lie to a psychologist because they could see right through you.<fn57f8> Checktest chapters at FιndNovel</fn57f8>


    And that was exactly how it always felt between her and Zachary.


    Without thinking, she grabbed the ss of water on the coffee table and took a huge gulp of hot water.


    She choked and burst into coughing fits.


    Zachary sighed, reached over, and gently patted her back. "Don''t rush, Sophia. Whatever it is, you can tell me. If you''re feeling insecure, that''s not on you. It just means I haven''t done enough to make you feel safe."


    Sophia shook her head while coughing. "No, Zachary. Don''t overthink it."


    "Sophia, I''m always here to listen. Anytime."


    She finally stopped coughing and stood up quickly. "I''m going to bed. You should get some rest, too, Zachary."


    She practically fled to her room.


    She''d been staying at Zachary''s ce, but she insisted on sleeping in the guest room from day one. He respected her boundariespletely-caring for her, loving her, never crossing a line she wasn''t ready for.


    Lying in bed, she pulled out her phone and texted Sierra.


    Sophia: "Cee, what does Zachary even see in me?"


    Sophia: "I''m not that pretty, I don''t have a great body, and my past is aplete mess. Sure, none of it was my fault, but he''s still a man. Doesn''t he care at all?"


    Sophia: "Samuel is my own brother, but even he''s said awful things to tear me down. He grew up with you overseas, and you were childhood friends who relied on each other. But still, he can''t seem to get over what happened to you. Zachary and I weren''t even close like that, so why... why me?"


    Sophia: "Cee, since Zachary and I started dating, we''ve only ever held hands and hugged. We haven''t taken things further. Do you think he''s just being respectful and waiting for me to be ready, or does he actually mind? Is that why he''s not making a move?"


    Sophia: "Cee, are you asleep? If not, talk to me, please? I know we were supposed to be talking about you. I was worried about you, and now look at me— I''ve tied myself up in knots."


    Sierra: "I''m still awake. Just finished my shower and got into bed."


    Sierra: "Sophia, I don''t really know why Zachary fell for you, but you should know that a psychologist isn''t supposed to fall for their patients. Yet, he gave up being a psychologist for you. That''s gotta mean something."


    Sierra: "Don''t worry about me. I know exactly what I''m doing. I''m not using Sky. I just asked him to introduce me to a few people and pull a few strings. He''s investing in me, and I''ll make sure he gets a return."


    Sierra: "As for you and Zachary, why don''t you meet his parents if you''re serious about him? People say children reflect their parents. Get a feel for where hees from. Compare that to the Sinir family, and you might get some answers."


    Sierra: "I''ve told you before that I might never get married again after the divorce. But I''ll probably fall in love again. I might even date a few younger guys just for fun, nothing emotional. I believe a cute younger guy can definitely bring me some joy."


    Sierra: "And maybe you should think of Zachary that way too. No one says a woman can only have one man in her whole life. Look at men-how many have a wife at home but still flirt with other women? Faithful guys exist, sure, but they''re rare."


    Sierra: "Life is short. If you want to enjoy it, then go ahead. If you don''t spend your money, some guy will be eyeing it, just like Samuel."


    Sierra: "If you really want to know what Zachary sees in you, you should just ask him."


    Sophia: "I think... I already asked him once. But I forgot his answer."


    Sierra: "Then don''t worry about it! Just enjoy the ride."


    Sierra: "I get it. What you went through before left some scars. If you''re not ready, that''s okay. But honestly, Zachary''s a healthy guy And healthy men have needs.  s


    Sierra: "Aren''t you even a little curious how he''s handling those needs when you two aren''t sleeping together?"


    Sophia''s head buzzed. She flipped over in bed, biting her lower lip, unsure of how to respond.


    Sierra: "Sophia, give it a try. It can be a beautiful experience, especially if the guy you''re with is someone you love and is gentle and considerate."


    Sierra: "Women have needs too. Don''t be afraid of that."


    Sophia: "Sierra, wasn''t this whole conversation supposed to be about you?"


    Sierra: "We''re just chatting! Conversations can go wherever."


    Sierra: "Do you wanna watch a suggestive movie? I''ve got a good one!"


    Sophia: "Cee, what the hell did Samuel teach you when you two were together?"


    Sierra: "Don''t mention that guy. He''s bad luck, and I''m over him."


    Sophia: "Fair enough."


    Sierra: "Wait. Are you staying at Zachary''s ce and still sleeping in the guest room?"


    Sophia: "Yeah. He offered me his room, but I didn''t feelfortable, so I took the guest room."


    Sierra: "The guest room? Across the hall? You might as well go home and sleep in your own bed! Damn, Zachary''s got serious self-control His crush literally moved in, and he still fets you sleep in another room. Are you sure he''s not... physically incapable or something?" s


    Sophia''s brain buzzed again, and this time, her cheeks turned beet red. She felt


    that Sierra had changed ever since she started "using" Sky.


    Or perhaps this was the real Sierra all along. The soft, obedient version she''d been when dating Samuel was probably all an act something shed been forced into bing.  s


    Sierra: "Sophia, test it out! See if he''s capable or not. This is your happiness we''re talking about."


    Sophia: "Shut up. I''m going to sleep."


    Sierra: "Hahaha! So, are you still wondering why he likes you?"


    Sophia yanked her nket over her head and shoved her phone under her pillow


    in a huff. But a few secondster, she pulled it back out and typed quickly.


    Sophia: "I''m not curious anymore. Get some sleep. I''m going to sleep as well."