Echo of Pieces by Charles Dickens 8 Summary
In Chapter 8 of “Echo of Pieces” by Charles Dickens, Joseph finds himself grappling with a whirlwind of emotions after an abrupt phone call with Isabella. Confusion and anger surge within him as he reflects on how she hung up before he could express his feelings. At that moment, Sophia, who has been a source of comfort for him, attempts to seduce him, momentarily distracting him from his troubling thoughts about Isabella. However, the memory of Isabella’s haunting expression quickly resurfaces, leading Joseph to push Sophia away, causing her to tumble to the floor in tears.
Sophia’s vulnerability stirs a sense of guilt in Joseph, but he is too consumed by his thoughts of Isabella to offer her comfort. As Sophia tries to reconnect with him, Joseph firmly rejects her advances, asserting that their arrangement—a ritual marriage meant to ward off misfortune—is over. This declaration leaves Sophia shocked and questioning the authenticity of their relationship, but Joseph’s cold demeanor silences her. The tension in the room escalates as he asserts his boundaries, instructing her to leave his home.
As Joseph ascends the stairs, he reflects on Isabella’s docile nature and his growing frustration with her apparent indifference to his infidelity. His longing for Isabella deepens as he clutches his phone, hoping for a call from her while battling with the fear of pushing her further away. He recalls Isabella mentioning a protective charm for him, which adds to his unease. Finally, he decides to call her, only to be met with silence, which he interprets as jealousy, giving him a flicker of hope about her feelings for him.
Meanwhile, Sophia reluctantly packs her things, feeling a pang of disappointment despite her initial intentions of using Joseph for financial gain. As she leaves the Ashford home, she grapples with her unexpected feelings for him and curses Isabella for her hold over Joseph. Sophia resolves that the sooner Isabella is out of the picture, the sooner she can claim her share of the fortune, revealing her determination to pursue her interests despite the emotional turmoil surrounding her.
Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below
**Echo of Pieces by Charles Dickens**
**Chapter 8**
The Ashford Family’s Silla
Joseph stared at his phone, the screen displaying the abrupt end of the call, feeling utterly bewildered. It was as if a storm had brewed inside him, a tumult of emotions swirling together—confusion and a potent surge of anger. How could she have hung up on him like that? He had softened his tone, attempting to reach her, yet she had cut him off before he could even finish his thought.
Behind him, a pair of delicate, almost boneless hands wrapped around his torso, slithering across his chest like a gentle stream. Sophia pressed her entire body against his back, her breath warm and inviting.
“M: Ashford, are you thinking of me?” she murmured, her voice a sultry whisper that danced in the air between them.
“Want to go again?”
The seductive allure in Sophia’s tone managed to momentarily dispel the dark clouds looming over Joseph’s heart. In a sudden rush of desire, he turned and pushed her onto the sofa, kissing her fiercely, as if trying to drown out the haunting thoughts of Isabella.
But just as quickly, the image of Isabella’s ashen face from earlier that day invaded his mind, her vacant eyes piercing through him like daggers. A sharp pang twisted in Joseph’s chest, an ache that felt all too familiar. Instinctively, he pushed Sophia away, the force of his action catching her off guard. She tumbled to the floor, tears welling up in her eyes almost instantly.
“Mr. Ashford, what’s wrong? Did I do something wrong?” she asked, her voice trembling with confusion and hurt.
In the past, if Sophia had donned this pitiful, humble guise, Joseph would have felt a surge of satisfaction, rushing to comfort her. But today, his mind was a whirlwind, consumed entirely by thoughts of Isabella. He didn’t even spare a glance at the sobbing figure on the floor.
Sophia froze in place, her expression shifting from shock to determination. After kneeling for a moment, she picked herself up and settled onto Joseph’s lap, her soft arms wrapping around him, her hands wandering down his chest with a gentle caress.
When Joseph finally snapped back to reality, he seized her wandering hand with a firm grip, his voice low and strained. “Not here. Isabella will be upset if she comes home and sees this.”
A flash of jealousy flickered in Sophia’s eyes, and she bit her lip, unwilling to relent. She attempted to continue her seductive advances, but Joseph abruptly pushed her away and stood up, methodically buttoning his shirt, each click of the fabric fastening echoing his resolve.
When he spoke again, his tone had returned to its usual indifference, devoid of warmth. “Our ritual marriage to ward off misfortune is over. You can move out of my house today.”
Sophia was left utterly stunned, her mind racing. Wasn’t the ritual marriage merely a fabrication he had conjured to deceive Isabella? Why was he bringing it up now?
“Mr. Ashford, the ritual marriage… isn’t it fake?” she ventured cautiously, but her words were met by Joseph’s suddenly cold and harsh gaze, which silenced her instantly.
“Watch your mouth.”
The atmosphere in the living room thickened with tension. Sophia lowered her head, not daring to meet his eyes.
“I’ll come find you when I have needs in the future. Don’t come to my house unless I call for you.”
With that chilling declaration, Joseph turned and ascended the stairs, leaving Sophia behind without a second glance.
He found himself reflecting on Isabella’s nature—how obedient and docile she was, yet she had remained indifferent even after witnessing him in bed with another woman. This thought ignited an inexplicable rage within him.
Despite the fact that he had spun the tale of a ritual marriage to ward off misfortune, brought Sophia into their lives, and instructed Isabella to stay away, she seemed completely unbothered. Did she even hold any feelings for him anymore?
Joseph clenched his phone tightly, his gaze fixed on the call screen, desperately hoping for Isabella’s name to appear at any moment. But the screen remained unchanged, mocking him with its silence.
He hesitated, torn between the urge to call Isabella again and the fear of further alienating her. Suddenly, the thought of the protective charm crossed his mind. Hadn’t Isabella mentioned getting one for him two weeks ago? Why hadn’t she given it to him yet?
The unease in his heart intensified, gnawing at him relentlessly. Unable to withstand the weight of his emotions any longer, Joseph dialed Isabella’s number.
“I’m sorry, the phone you are calling is currently turned off…”
A frown creased Joseph’s brow.
Was Isabella giving him the silent treatment out of jealousy? The thought brought a slight easing to his expression. If she was still capable of jealousy, it meant he still held a place in her heart.
He had to admit, he had neglected Isabella lately, and honestly, he was growing weary of Sophia’s presence. He would make it up to Isabella in a few days—he would shower her with affection and attention, perhaps even more than before.
“David Wright, our sixth wedding anniversary is in three days. The budget is one billion. Make it as lavish as possible.”
After hanging up, a satisfied smile crept across Joseph’s lips. Everything was under control, or so he believed.
Meanwhile, Sophia reluctantly packed her belongings, casting glances over her shoulder as she exited the Ashford family home, wishing against hope that Joseph would come running after her. But he didn’t.
Although her initial motivations for getting close to Joseph had been purely financial, a pang of disappointment tugged at her heart. It seemed she had unwittingly developed feelings for him.
Sophia fought to regain her composure, mentally scolding herself.
Joseph was the type to use you up and then cast you aside—a moody, unpredictable man. If Madam Ashford hadn’t compensated her so handsomely, she would never have tolerated him for this long!
It was all that wretched Isabella’s fault. Such a wretched woman! Her own mother had been killed, yet she still clung to Joseph.
The sooner Isabella left, the sooner Sophia could claim her share of the fortune.
Conclusion
In the wake of the tumultuous events that unfolded in the Ashford household, both Joseph and Sophia find themselves at a crossroads, their emotional landscapes irrevocably altered. Joseph, consumed by a whirlwind of jealousy and regret, grapples with the realization that his actions have pushed Isabella further away. The fleeting moments of passion with Sophia, once a source of distraction, now feel hollow and unfulfilling, leaving him yearning for the genuine connection he once shared with Isabella. His hasty decisions have not only alienated Sophia but have also illuminated the fragility of his own heart, as he wrestles with the fear that he may have lost Isabella for good. The promise of a lavish anniversary celebration serves as a desperate attempt to reclaim what he believes is still within reach, yet the underlying uncertainty lingers like a specter, haunting his every thought.
Meanwhile, Sophia’s departure marks a poignant moment of self-realization, as her initial motivations are overshadowed by the unexpected emotions that have taken root within her. Although she had entered Joseph’s life with ulterior motives, the complexities of their interactions have sparked feelings she never anticipated. As she walks away from the Ashford home, a mix of disappointment and determination washes over her; she understands that her future is now uncertain, yet she resolves to reclaim her agency. The echoes of her time with Joseph resonate within her, entwined with a sense of betrayal and ambition. In this moment of separation, both characters are left to confront the consequences of their choices, setting the stage for an emotional reckoning that will ultimately shape their fates in ways they cannot yet foresee.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As the tension mounts between Joseph and the women in his life, the next chapter promises to delve deeper into the emotional turmoil that has taken root in his heart. With Isabella’s absence and the growing distance between them, readers can expect Joseph to confront the reality of his feelings. Will he finally acknowledge the depth of his attachment to Isabella, or will his pride and jealousy drive him further into a spiral of self-destruction? The stakes are rising, and the impending anniversary may serve as a catalyst for revelations that could change everything.
Meanwhile, Sophia’s internal conflict will take center stage, as her initial intentions clash with the unexpected feelings she has developed for Joseph. As she grapples with her emotions, will she seek revenge or attempt to win back his affection? The chapter is likely to explore her motivations and the lengths she might go to reclaim her place in Joseph’s life. With the backdrop of a lavish anniversary celebration looming, the reader can anticipate a dramatic confrontation that could shatter the delicate balance of their relationships. Will love triumph, or will jealousy and ambition lead to a devastating fallout?
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
