My stepfather?

Sophia's pov.

I woke up to a pounding headache, my mouth dry, and my body feeling like it was put through wringer. I groggily opened my eyes, finding myself in my bed, but no clue came of how it got there.

I sat up in one swift movement, but a wave of dizziness washed over me, forcing me to lie down again.

I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heart. What happened last night?

Who brought me home?

Why is my room so organized, I left it a mess.

Slowly, I got out of bed, my head spinning, and crawled to the door. Pulling myself up, I staggered into the hall in bare feet, my clothes all rumpled. Heading for the stairs, instead of going down, I went rolling down-my body weak and unable to support itself.

Until, after finally reaching the bottom, there was a voice dripping with sarcasm: "Rolling, is that the new walking?"

 

I saw Mom, holding her coffee cup with a raise of one eyebrow. I shrugged and said nothing at all, just gave my 'shame in my eyes' look as I felt pretty well ashamed enough by that time.

 

"How'd I get home?" I whispered less than audibly.

Mom let out a deep sigh as she put her coffee onto the table. "Jack called me, said you were missing. I rushed to the club and found you sleeping on the couch in a room full of wine bottles. You were totally out of it. You've been sleeping for a whole day.

A wave of relief washed over me; she didn't know-she didn't know what happened.

Then the slap, my mom's slap came along. This brought back all the rage. I frowned and turned away from her.

"Sophia am so sorry am so very sorry for hitting you, out of line I shouldn't have done that" Mum apologized, as she fixed my hair.

Stunned still looked up to her asking quavering, "why apologize now?”

She sat down beside me. "Because I now know I was wrong. Maybe your father and I are separated, but that does not mean we don't love you. It does not mean we will allow anyone to take your place. You are my daughter, and I love you whatever happens.".

“It’s okay.” I mumbled, overwhelmed by my mistake to hold on to this one for long.

She served me a bowl of soup. Gratefully, I took some and drank some of that hot broth while my body received immediately the warmth it needed.

"I'm sorry, Mom," I added , my voice no louder than a whisper. "I'm sorry for all I've said."

Mom smiled and swung her arm across my shoulder. "We shall get through all this, Sophia. Together."

I sat eating my soup when, out of nowhere, a wave of peace washed over me-maybe things would be okay after all.

But as I looked up at my mom, I couldn't kick the feeling that she had something to say, and I would not like it.

I looked up at my mom, my eyes narrowing. "What are you hiding, Mom?" I asked, firm.

My mom giggled, a sly smile spreading across her face. "You're a smart one, Sophia," she said, her eyes glinting with amusement.

I rolled my eyes. "Just talk already, Mom," I said, my impatience growing.

My mother took a deep breath, and her expression turned serious. "The divorce has been finalized, Sophia," she said, her voice firm. "And I've decided that I would move in with your stepfather."

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. "What?" I exclaimed, my voice rising in anger. "You can't be serious! You're just going to uproot my life like that?"

My mom just nodded, her face unyielding. "I'm afraid it's already been decided, Sophia," she said strictly. "We'll be leaving for New York City today, and you'll be starting at a new school there."

It really made my blood boil. "No way, Mom," I said. "I am not leaving behind my friends, my school, my life just like that. You can't do this to me."

Finally, my mother heaved a great sigh, and the lines of hardness on her face softened slightly. "Sophia, it's difficult for you now, but for your own good." Her tone now low: "He's a fantastic guy-your stepfather will go to great lengths for us, and we'll lead a good life in New York."

I snorted. "A better life? With some rich guy who's just going to try to control us?" I said, the bitterness lacing my voice like poison.

My mom had turned serious then. "That's enough, Sophia," she said, firm. "We're going, and that's final."

I was still fuming as we reached the airport, but that turned to shock as we exited the terminal. There was a convoy of cars waiting for us, with people in suits guarding them.

"Wow, Mom," I replied, the sarcasm dripping from my voice, "you really are living large now, huh?"

My mom didn’t seem to notice the sarcasm , she just smiled, her eyes shining with excitement. "Just wait until you meet Alexander," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Then I saw him, walking toward us with this confident smile all over his face. Really, my heart sank as that realization dawned on me-who it was, the man I had a one night stand with , my new stepfather.

Mom ran up toward him, hugging his neck. "Alexander, darling," cooed my mom in such a sickly sweet voice.

Alexander threw his arms around her, drawing her against him. "My love," he whispered, his lips brushing her ear.

I felt like I was going to be sick.

The guards in their fancy suits stood at attention, their faces expressionless, as Alexander and my mom smooched in front of them. I turned away, my face hot with embarrassment and anger.

Finally, Alexander pulled back, his eyes meeting mine. "Sophia," he said, his voice smooth. "It's nice to finally meet you, your mom has told me so many sweet things about you."

I stared at him, with my mouth wide open.

"You?