Chapter 6

~Sophia

The tension in the room was thick like a storm brewing on the horizon. Nathaniel stood tall, his commanding presence filling the space, but his eyes were on me, searching for answers I wasn’t ready to give. Across from him, Ethan’s face twisted in anger, his fists clenched tightly as though he were fighting the urge to explode.

My heart raced as Ethan’s glare burned into me. I had expected a confrontation, but this… this felt like a battleground.

“How about you clap for yourself, Sophia, my almighty step mother, indeed?” Ethan’s voice cut through the silence, sharp and unforgiving. He wasn’t just angry—he was furious, betrayed, and confused.

Before I could answer, Nathaniel spoke, his voice steady. “Ethan, that’s enough.”

Ethan ignored him, his focus entirely on me. “Did you think you could just waltz in here and play house? Is that what this is to you?” His voice dripped with disdain.

I opened my mouth to respond, but Ethan wasn’t finished.

“This whole situation is insane,” he spat, his voice rising. “You’re just a—”

“Ethan!” Nathaniel’s tone was sharp, a warning, but it only seemed to fuel his son’s anger.

Ethan turned to face him, his body trembling with barely restrained fury. “Are you seriously defending her? After everything I just said? After everything she’s done?”

Nathaniel’s face hardened. “Watch your tone,” he said, his voice low and commanding.

But Ethan wasn’t backing down. Instead, he swept his arm across the dining table in a fit of rage, sending plates and glasses crashing to the floor.

The sound of shattering glass echoed in the room, making me flinch.

“Ethan!” Nathaniel roared, his anger finally breaking through. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

Ethan turned to him, his chest heaving. “What’s wrong with me? What’s wrong with you? This—” he gestured wildly between us, “—this ridiculous marriage of yours will never work. I’ll make sure of it.”

Nathaniel’s face was a mix of shock and anger. “You’re out of line,” he said, his voice cold. “If this is how you’re going to act, don’t bother coming back. I won’t tolerate this kind of behavior in my house.”

Ethan stopped in his tracks, turning slowly to face his father. His lips curled into a bitter smile. “Your house? Fine. But don’t think for a second that I’m done with this.”

He turned his attention back to me, his eyes narrowing. “And her?” He pointed at me, his voice dripping with venom. “She’s nothing but a gold digger. A lying, manipulative—”

“Stop,” I snapped, my voice cutting through his tirade. I stepped forward, meeting his glare head-on. “You don’t get to talk to me like that.”

Ethan laughed, the sound bitter and humorless. “You’re nothing but a—”

“I said, stop!” My voice was firm, my hands trembling with the effort to keep myself composed.

For a moment, there was silence, the air thick with unspoken words. Then I stepped closer, my voice low but steady. “Get out of my husband’s house.”

Ethan’s face twisted in anger, but he didn’t say anything else. He turned on his heel and stormed out, slamming the door behind him with enough force to rattle the windows.

The silence that followed was deafening. I turned to Nathaniel, my chest heaving as I tried to calm down.

“What’s going on?” he asked, his voice quieter now but still filled with confusion.

I looked away, my hands shaking. “I’m sorry,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

“For what?” Nathaniel asked, stepping closer.

“For… everything,” I said, tears welling up in my eyes. I hated being like this, but the weight of the situation was too much to bear.

Nathaniel closed the distance between us, his hands resting gently on my shoulders. “Sophia,” he said softly, his voice filled with concern. “You don’t have to apologize, I know my son, Ethan can be such a brat sometimes. Just breathe.”

I nodded, taking a deep breath as he guided me to the couch.

“Good,” he said, his voice soothing. “Now, tell me—what’s really going on?”

I shook my head, unable to meet his gaze. “I don’t know,” I said, my voice breaking. “I just…… I reacted. I didn’t mean to cause trouble.”

Nathaniel sighed, his expression softening. “You didn’t cause this,” he said firmly. “Ethan’s out of line. He’ll calm down eventually.”

I wasn’t so sure, but I nodded anyway, not wanting to argue.

“You’ve had a long day,” Nathaniel said, his tone gentle. “Maria,” he called to the maid, who was standing nervously by the door. “Take her upstairs. Help her settle in, run her a bath, and make sure she’s comfortable.”

Maria stepped forward, nodding quickly. “Of course, sir.”

I started to follow her, but Nathaniel’s voice stopped me.

“Baby,” he said softly, and I turned back to face him. His eyes were warm, his expression earnest. “I don't know your history with my son, Ethan, but I will wait till you're ready to talk. And No matter what happens, we’ll get through it. Together. I love you.”

The sincerity in his voice made my chest ache, but I managed a small smile before following Maria up the grand staircase.

The room she led me to was breathtaking, with high ceilings, elegant furniture, and soft lighting that gave the space a warm, inviting glow. A large canopy bed dominated the room, its plush bedding looking almost too perfect to disturb.

Maria hesitated by the door. “Your bath will be ready soon, ma’am,” she said, her tone kind but uncertain.

“Thank you,” I said, my voice soft.

As the door closed behind her, I sat on the edge of the bed, my fingers brushing against the soft fabric of the comforter. The events of the evening replayed in my mind, each moment more surreal than the last.

A smile crept onto my lips, and before I could stop myself, a laugh bubbled up from my chest. It started softly, but soon it grew, filling the room with its sound.

Maria peeked her head back into the room, her expression confused. “Ma’am?”

I waved her off, still laughing. “Oh, nothing,” I said, shaking my head. “I just… I love how everything’s playing out.”

From Ethan’s ex-girlfriend to his stepmother. Oh, this was only the beginning.