This Time, I Will Get My Divorce, Mr

Chapter 539 Charles’ Feelings

“It just isn’t, okay?” Sonia let out a weary sigh and went on to say, “Look, a term of endearment like this should only be used if you and I are lovers, but we aren’t. We’re just friends, and calling me ‘baby’ is a little over-the-top.”

Charles laughed, but it was cold and devoid of his usual humor. “Oh, suddenly it’s ‘over-the-top? I’ve been calling you that for over a decade, and you’ve never said there was anything wrong with it until now. Did somebody talk to you about this and make you stop me from calling you that?”

Sonia’s eyes widened by a fraction, but that was enough to make Charles understand the truth behind this unexpected shift. He clenched his fists and said through gritted teeth, “So somebody does want me to stop calling you that. Let me guess—is it Toby?”

There was no answer from Sonia, but something flashed in her eyes that looked a lot like admission.

“I’m right, aren’t I?” Charles sneered in disgust. “Look at you being an obedient little girl and asking me to stop calling you a decade-long nickname just because he told you to.”

Guilt rose within her when she heard this, and she chewed on her lip as she tried to explain, “I’m sorry, Charles. Ill admit that Toby was the one who asked me to do this. He said to tell you that he wants you to stop calling me ‘baby’ because it’s inappropriate, but when I seriously considered it, I found myself agreeing with him. A nickname like that really is inappropriate between the both of us.”

Sonia hadn’t given much thought to this matter until Toby brought it up. After he had, it was as if something clicked in her. The nickname Charles had given her was far too intimate and flirtatious to be considered platonic.

However, Charles was less than understanding as a contemptuous smirk tugged on his lips. “No, this has nothing to do with whether the nickname was inappropriate or not. You’re just worried that if you let this continue, you’re going to make a certain someone very unhappy, and you don’t want that.”

Sonia stiffened. “W-What?”

took a step back and returned to the driver’s side of the car. He opened the door, then ducked to retrieve the key from the ignition. “I’m going to ask you one last time: do you really

lips, hesitation overwhelming her. But at that moment, Toby’s face flashed in her mind and batted away

answer, Charles felt his heart drop to his stomach, and the hope he had been clinging

if that’s what you want, then I’m fine with it. From now on, I won’t call you ‘baby’ anymore, but you know what? As soon as I stop calling you that, our relationship will no

All we’re dropping is the nickname, but that doesn’t have to change anything

talking about here, then of course, nothing will change. But we’re different.” He tightened his grip on the car keys and took in a breath. “You were the only person I’ve ever called ‘baby’, because doing that makes me feel like I have a special place in your heart, like I’m irreplaceable. Now that you’ve taken away my privilege to do that, it only goes to show that I’m no different than any other friend you have; I’m not as important or irreplaceable as

that, he put the keys on the car’s hood and turned to head for

Sonia cried out at the sight of

tracks as he marched

place, Sonia watched the taxi speed away with indecipherable

and one of them that she was suddenly made aware of was his feelings

her palms, and she shook her head to clear

a platonic one all along and that he actually had

that, then Sonia would have

call me ‘baby’ and why he reacted

he seen her as just a friend and nothing more, then he wouldn’t have reacted quite so dramatically when she asked him to stop calling her ‘baby’.

ruefully, staring in

sour turn their relationship had taken and how they would no longer be as close

if she had never discovered Charles’ hidden romantic feelings for her, but right now, she was sure she had done the right thing. If she had allowed

and whatever sentiments he had for her could never

stance in the matter was clear: she saw him as just a friend and nothing more. Perhaps all

up the keys Charles had left on the

went back to the Fuller Residence after Sonia had left his office, and he had only just gotten down from the car when his phone

hand, signaling Tom to stop

we have escorted Miss Reed safely back to Bayside Residence,” the man on the other