Sophia woke up early, determined to put the events of the previous day behind her. She got dressed and ready for work, trying to shake off the lingering anger and hurt.

As she arrived at the office, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She worked in James's company, and she knew she would have to see him eventually. But she wasn't ready yet.

She settled at her desk, trying to focus on her work. But her mind kept wandering back to James and Rachel.

Just as she was starting to get into my work, she saw her. Rachel. Walking towards James's office, a confident smile on her face.

Her heart sank. What was she doing here?

Sophia tried to ignore her, but she couldn't help sneaking glances at James's office.

She got up from her desk and walked to James's office, determined to get some answers. She opened the door and found Rachel still sitting in the chair in front of James's desk, chatting with him.

"Ah, Sophia," James said, looking up. "Come on in."

She ignored him and turned to Rachel. "What are you doing here?"

Rachel smiled sweetly. "Oh, I just came to drop off a present for James. He's been so helpful to me lately, and I wanted to thank him."

Sophia was curious, "A present?"

Rachel nodded. "Yes, a little something to show my appreciation. And I was thinking, since James has been so kind to me, maybe we could all have dinner together sometime?"

Sophia scoffed. She felt a surge of anger, but she tried to keep her cool. "I don't think that's a good idea," she said tightly, her eyes narrowed and flashing with anger.

Rachel looked at her innocently. "Oh, why not? I think it would be lovely. James, don't you agree?"

James looked uncomfortable, but he nodded. "Yeah, sure. That sounds great."

Sophia turned to him, furious. "You can't be serious."

But before she could say anything else, Rachel stood up. "I'll leave you two to discuss it. Thanks again, James. You're a lifesaver."

And with that, she walked out of the office, leaving Sophia fuming.

She turned to James, her anger boiling over. "What is going on here? Why is she still coming to your office? Why did she bring you a present?'

James sighed. "Sophia, I told you. There's nothing there. Maybe she's only giving me this as a show of her appreciation. I told you she's in a tough spot. Her ex is threatening to take her daughter away, and she needs someone to talk to. I was there for her. I couldn't neglect her call for help."

"And that someone has to be you?" She demanded. "Can't she see anyone else?"

James shook his head. "She trusts me, Sophia. And I'm not going to turn my back on her when she needs me."

Sophia felt a surge of frustration. "Even if it means hurting me?"

James looked at me, his eyes pleading. "Sophia, I'm not trying to hurt you. I swear. I just want to help Rachel through this tough time."

She turned away, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes. "I don't know if I can do this, James. I don't know if I can keep competing with her for your attention."

James got up and came over to me, putting his arms around me. "You're not competing with her, Sophia. You're my wife. My priority. I love you."

But she just shook my head, feeling uncertain. Did he really love me? Or was he still stuck on Rachel?

She took a long stare at James before walking out of his office, back to her desk, my heart shattering into pieces, as torrents of tears poured down her face, while burying her face in her palms.

She tried to shake off the feeling of unease that lingered long after Rachel left the office. James and her didn't talk much for the rest of the day, and she couldn't help but wonder if he was still thinking about her.

When she got home, she was surprised to find a dinner invitation on the kitchen counter. It was from Rachel, inviting them to dinner at her place the following night.

Sophia felt a surge of anger. How dare she? Didn't she know that I was still trying to process everything that was going on?

She showed the invitation to James, expecting him to be just as upset as she was. But instead, he looked thoughtful.

"What do you think?" he asked. "Should we go? I was actually waiting for you to come back, so I could show you.”

Sophia was furious. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Are you kidding me? After everything that's happened, you want to go to her house for dinner?"

James sighed. "Sophia, I know this is hard for you, but I think we should try to be civil. For my sake, if not for hers."

She shook my head, feeling a sense of betrayal. "Fine. Go if you want. But I'm not going."

James looked at me, his eyes sad. "Sophia, please. Don't make this harder than it has to be."

But she just turned and walked away, her heart racing as she felt like she was losing my husband to his ex all over again.

"Sophia, come on. Don't be like this," James said, following me into the living room.

"Like what?" She snapped, turning to face him. "Like a wife who's tired of being second best?"

James sighed. "You're not second best, Sophia. You're my wife. My priority."

"Then why are you still involved with Rachel?" She demanded. "Why are you still helping her, still talking to her?"

James ran a hand through his hair. "I told you, Sophia. She needs me right now. And I'm not going to turn my back on her."

"But what about me?" She asked, feeling a lump form in her throat, as her eyes welled up with tears. "What about what I need?"

James took a step forward, his eyes pleading. "Sophia, I need you to understand. This has nothing to do with us. It's just about helping someone in need."

She laughed, a bitter sound. "Save it, James. I'm not buying it."

James stopped, looking frustrated. "Fine. Don't believe me. But please, Sophia, don't shut me out. We need to talk about this."

But she just shook my head and walked away, feeling disappointed.

James followed her, his footsteps echoing behind her. "Sophia, please. Don't walk away from me."