Chapter 72 Sophie’s POV "You shouldn't let people step on you, Soph. Learn to stand up for yourself," Isabella said as we returned to the table where I had dropped my bag earlier. I nodded, a smile forming on my lips, feeling a surge of gratitude for her support. "Thanks, Isabella," I replied softly, the weight of the confrontation still heavy on my shoulders. "I needed that." She leaned in closer, her expression serious. "We’re in this together. You can't let her get to you. Remember, she thrives on fear and manipulation." I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. "You’re right. I can't let her win. Not now, not ever." Just then, the commotion in the room grew louder as guests began taking their seats, the atmosphere shifting from tension to celebration. I looked around, searching for Julian, but he wasn't here yet. "I should go help with the preparation," Isabella said, rising from her seat. I nodded. I pulled out my phone from my handbag, hoping to find someth
Chapter 73 Victoria's POV "Alex?" I muttered, disbelief washing over me. "What is he doing here?" "You know him?" Julian asked, his brow furrowed. I cursed under my breath. In my panic, I had forgotten I was standing right in front of him. Heck. What am I going to say now? "Yes... I mean no." What was I even saying? My mind raced as I tried to formulate a believable explanation. "Then how did you know his name?" Julian pressed, his gaze piercing through me. "Sophie cheated on you, so I found out who she cheated with—it's her ex-boyfriend." My heart raced as I hoped my lie would be convincing enough. Julian nodded, seemingly satisfied. By this time, Alex had made his way past Sophie’s table and was heading directly towards me. Panic surged as I searched for Jaxon, but he was nowhere to be found. Had Jaxon saved Alex after all? Was there something I didn’t know? As Alex got closer, I sensed danger. His eyes bore into mine, and I felt like a deer caught in headlights. What if he
Chapter 74 Sophie’s POV My ass hit the chair as I struggled to steady myself, gripping the edge with trembling hands. Victoria truly was a devil. How could someone be so heartless? I touched my stomach, feeling a wave of panic wash over me. She would have killed my baby—my innocent baby. Tears streamed down my face as I felt the weight of my grief. Suddenly, a hand wiped my tears, and I looked up to see Julian. I yanked his hand away. “Don’t touch me!” I screamed, my voice laced with betrayal. “So you know everything, and you kept making me suffer? You stayed away from me when you knew I couldn’t live without you.” “I am so sorry, Sophie. I had to. For you, for us,” he said, his face etched with guilt. “No, Julian,” I shook my head violently. “You should have explained everything to me when you knew.” “No, Soph.” Isabella’s voice pierced the heaviness of the moment as she approached us. “He couldn’t. Your life and your baby’s were in danger.” “You knew?” I asked, my voice barely
Chapter 75Sophie's POV"Why did you not want to stay here again?" I asked Evelyn as we stepped out of the car, and they also got out from the car they had entered. Julian, my love, had been busy planting kisses all over my body during the drive, showering me with affection that made even the driver chuckle at our antics. At one point, Julian had playfully barked at him to mind his business, which only made us laugh harder. Evelyn just said she wouldn't be coming in with us."I want to give the new couples some happy moments together," Evelyn explained, her cute eyes sparkling."No, Evy! I want us to catch up," I pouted, crossing my arms in a mock display of annoyance."I'll still be around for two to three days, and I promise to visit each day," she reassured me. "But for now, I promised Grandpa I would spend a few days with him. You can also visit us; I'm sure Grandpa would be eager and happy to see you.""That's a promise, oo," I said, a smile breaking through my pout. Evelyn nodde
Chapter 76 Sophie's POV I woke up with a start, my heart racing as I looked beside me on the bed and didn't see Julian. Was it all a dream? Was it all a dream that I'm back with Julian? My heart sanked as tears welled up in my eyes. Just then, the door opened, and Julian walked in carrying a tray. "Good morning, milady," he said with a smile, and my heart skipped a beat. He was real, and he was here with me. I rushed to hug him as he dropped the food on the bedside table, tears of relief streaming down my face. "What's wrong?" he asked, concern visible on his voice. "I thought it was all a dream," I said, my voice shaking. "Us being together, I thought it was all a dream." He pulled away from the hug to look at me, his eyes filled with warmth and love. He placed a soft, gentle kiss on my forehead, and I felt my heart melt. Then, he wiped the tears off my cheeks with his thumbs, his touch sending shivers down my spine. "You really should stop being a crybaby," he teased,
Chapter 77TWO MONTHS LATER Sophie’s POVEverything has been going smoothly for the past two months. Julian and I have grown closer than I ever thought possible. He treats me like I’m delicate, like an egg, always careful and attentive, and honestly, I feel pampered in a way that makes my heart swell.Alex has come by countless times, begging for forgiveness, but I’ve turned him away each time. It wasn’t until recently that I finally found it in me to forgive him. As for Victoria, she’s been sentenced to 15 years in prison for attempted murder as a first time offender. It’s a harsh reality, but it feels like the right outcome for everything that happened.Evelyn has returned to school, and I’ve been visiting Julian’s grandfather more often. He’s a charming old man with so many stories to tell. I love listening to him reminisce about his younger days; it brings a warmth to my heart. On top of that, Isabella has been stopping by at least once a week, which has been a bright spot in my
Chapter 78 Julian's POV "What?!" I exclaimed, my voice barely containing my shock as my eyes locked onto Sophie, who stood frozen in disbelief. "Yes, boss," Marcus replied, his tone steady but urgent. I quickly removed the phone from speaker mode and pressed it to my ear, unable to look away from Sophie, whose gaze was fixed on the bed where my phone had just been. I noticed her hand instinctively move to her stomach. "How come?" I asked, my heart pounding. "Let me call you back, Marcus," I said, abruptly ending the call as I moved closer to Sophie. "Victoria is back. What if she really succeeded in killing me and my baby this time? What if she hurts you? What if, Julian? What if she—" Sophie's voice trembled, trailing off as tears began to flow down her cheeks. Damn it. Her tears were my Achilles' heel. I gently cupped her chin with my hand, tilting her head up to meet my gaze. "Nothing will happen to you or our baby. I promise I will protect you this time. Victoria can't hurt
Chapter 79Victoria's POVA DAY AGO"Is it true you'll really release me?" I asked Owen, the warder I had been forced to interact with. We were at the corner of the yard where I had been assigned to cut the grass—a task I absolutely detested."Yes, that's if you will let me have a taste of you," he replied, his voice low and dripping with an unsettling desire. Ugh... the smell of him was repulsive. Smelly brute. I couldn't bring myself to stoop so low as to entertain the thought of fucking mere warder. Nah."Okay, but we can just meet after I am released," I suggested, trying to keep my composure as I stepped back slightly, putting distance between us.He nodded eagerly, his eyes glinting with something I found both pathetic and revolting. I had noticed his wandering gaze since he was transferred here a month ago. It had been a desperate gamble to flirt with him, but now it seemed to be my only chance for escape. "Yeah, but how would we meet?" he asked, leaning closer, his breath mak
Dear Amazing Readers,Wow. What a journey this has been! From the very first chapter to this final moment, you have been with me, turning every page, feeling every emotion, and living through every twist and turn alongside Sophie and Julian.Writing this story has been an incredible experience, but what made it truly special was you—the readers who believed in it, supported it, and followed it through to the very end. Your love, your comments, your gems, your excitement, and even your theories kept me going.I am beyond grateful for each and every one of you. Your time, your emotions, and your dedication mean the world to me. Whether this story made you smile, cry, gasp, or swoon, I hope it left an imprint on your heart, just as you have left one on mine.This isn’t just my story—it’s our story. And though we’ve reached the end of this chapter, remember, every ending is just the beginning of something new(like my next book; please check it out🙃)Thank you for being a part of this jou
SIX YEARS LATER Sophie’s POV "Good morning, beauty." A deep, familiar voice broke through my peaceful sleep, and I felt a warm presence near me. Slowly, I fluttered my eyes open, adjusting to the morning light streaming through the curtains. Julian stood beside the bed, a soft smile on his lips, holding a tray of breakfast in his hands. "Good morning, honey," I murmured, stretching lazily before sitting up. A wave of warmth filled me at the sight before me—a plate of golden-brown toast, a perfectly fried egg, and a steaming cup of tea. My stomach grumbled in approval, making me smile. Julian placed the tray gently on the bed and sat on the edge, watching me. "I made breakfast for you," I glanced at him, my heart swelling with love. "Thank you, honey." His smile widened, and without warning, he leaned in, tilting his head to kiss me. I quickly turned my face away, causing him to freeze mid-motion. "Huh?" He blinked. I chuckled, pressing my lips together. "I haven’t brushed my
Chapter 118 Sophie’s POV It had been three hell long days since Julian fell into a coma. His face, once so vibrant and full of life, was now pale and drawn, the oxygen tubes were gone but there was still IV drips connected to his hand. His lips were slightly parted, and his chest rose and fell weakly beneath the hospital gown, but there was no other sign of movement. I sat beside him, my fingers laced through his, unable to look away from his still form. I tightened my grip on his hand, my voice barely above a whisper. "Julian, can you hear me?" No response. My throat tightened as I swallowed hard, forcing back another wave of despair. I wished for even the faintest sign of acknowledgement. I missed him—his laughter, his warmth, his voice, everything that made him who he was. "Do you remember when you first told me you loved me?" I continued, my voice trembling. "You said it so casually, as if you had always known. And I was so scared… scared that if I believed it, I’d los
Chapter 117 Sophie’s POV The ambulance doors slammed shut, and we sped through the city, sirens wailing. My hands trembled as I clutched Julian’s, his skin cold and clammy. His face was too pale, his lips slightly parted as he struggled for breath. "Stay with me, Julian," I pleaded, my voice shaking. "Please, don’t close your eyes." He tried to smile, but it was weak. His eyelids fluttered, his body barely holding on. "No, no, no," I sobbed, pressing my forehead against his. "You promised me. You said you wouldn’t leave me. You can’t break your promise now." The paramedics worked frantically, pressing gauze against his wound, checking his vitals. "He's losing too much blood," one of them muttered. "Do something!" I screamed. "We're doing everything we can," another paramedic said, trying to keep me calm. I swallowed back my panic and looked at Julian again. His chest rose and fell weakly, each breath looking more labored than the last. "I love you, Sophie," he whi
Chapter 116 Sophie’s POV The sound of the gunshot echoed in my ears, deafening. My body tensed, my breath hitched, and for a moment, I swore my heart had stopped. But there was no pain. I wasn’t hit! Slowly, I opened my eyes, my body trembling, my breath ragged. My heart pounded so loudly it nearly drowned out everything else. Celine—or rather, Victoria—was standing there, her face twisted in rage. But her grip on the gun had faltered, her hands shaking slightly. Then I noticed—someone had tackled her from the side. The gun had fired, but not at me. My breath came in short, uneven bursts as my eyes fell on the person who had tackled her. Julian. He was there, gripping Victoria’s wrist, twisting it painfully as she shrieked in frustration. The gun clattered to the floor, skidding across the rooftop. Victoria struggled wildly, her breath ragged with anger. "Let me go, you bastard!" she spat. "Not this time." Julian’s grip tightened as he shoved her backward, pinning her agains
Chapter 115 Sophie’s POV "How do I look?" I asked, turning to Julian while smoothing down the fabric of my red off-shoulder gown. The silky material hugged my curves perfectly, flowing elegantly to my feet. Julian’s gaze softened as he stepped closer, his lips curving into a fond smile. "You look as stunning as always," he murmured, tucking a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. His touch was gentle, affectionate, and when he leaned down to press a kiss on my forehead, warmth spread through me. Then, he kissed me lightly on the lips, making my heart skip a beat. "Thank you, hubby," I whispered, "You made this happen. You made everything happen. If someone had told me a year ago when I got here that everything would turn out like this, I would have asked them to shut up." Julian chuckled, his fingers tilting my chin up so I could meet his gaze. "Why?" he asked. I sighed, shaking my head at how absurd it all seemed now. "Because I never thought I would fall in love with yo
Chapter 114 Victoria's POV "Here." Zayn said as he zipped up my gown. His eyes gleamed, but I knew that smile wasn’t for me—it was for the mission ahead. Today was finally Sophie’s birthday party. The moment I had been waiting for. "Wow, you look so stunning. I really don’t regret ever choosing you as my pet." Pet. That word still made my skin crawl, but I swallowed my disgust. Was that even something to be proud of? Owning another human being like a possession? "Thank you," I muttered, careful to keep my voice low. I had learned the hard way that any hesitation, any sign of defiance, would earn me his wrath. The past days had been hell—Zayn had beaten me senseless over the smallest mistakes, as if he took pleasure in watching me suffer. He demanded obedience, but it was fucking hard for me to suppress my pride. I had never learnt to bow to people not even my parents. "Good girl." His voice dripped with condescension. "Go check yourself in the mirror while I get dressed.
Chapter 113 Victoria's POV "Come here." Zayn said immediately Caleb left. His voice was firm, commanding. His dark eyes bore into mine, sending shivers down my spine. I stood frozen, my fists clenched at my sides, resisting the urge to comply. "Why should I?" I snapped, rolling my eyes, my lips curling in defiance. Before I could even process what happened next, a sharp, stinging pain exploded across my cheek. The force of his slap sent my head snapping to the side, my vision blurring for a moment, my skin burned like fire. When had he gotten to where I was standing? I gasped, my hand instinctively flying up to touch my swollen cheek. My eyes widened in shock—how dare he? Zayn smirked, his expression oozing with arrogance and cruelty. "Just because you're going to help us now doesn't mean you get to ignore me." He tilted his head, stepping closer, his presence suffocating. "You're still my pet—now, after the mission, and forever." His words made my stomach churn. My heart pound
Chapter 112 Victoria’s POV When I woke again, my head was pounding like a jackhammer. Damn. My eyelids felt heavy, and my body ached like I had been run over by a truck. What the hell happened? I blinked a few times, trying to adjust to the dimly lit room. My stomach twisted as I realized—I was back. Back in this hellhole. I shot up quickly, my breathing ragged, my hands instinctively reaching for my wrists. Thank goodness, I wasn’t tied this time. But that relief was short-lived because the reality of my situation came crashing down again. Caleb. That traitor. I still couldn't wrap my head around it. Caleb was working for Zayn. My stomach churned at the thought. How the hell had they even met? I ran a shaky hand through my hair, trying to gather my thoughts. I had escaped. I had almost tasted freedom. And now? Now, I was trapped again. Shit. Then, I heard it—the faint murmur of voices outside the door. My pulse quickened. I pushed myself off the bed, ignoring the weakness in