Sophia stood there for a moment, her mind filled with thoughts she couldn’t quite figure. Finally, she sighed and began wiping down the table, her heart feeling both heavy and strangely light at the same time. *** The next morning, Sophia stirred awake as the first light crept into her room. She blinked, momentarily disoriented, until she remembered what day it was. Today was significant! Her mother was finally getting discharged from the hospital. Relief flooded through her as she stretched, savoring the fleeting tranquility of the early hour. But a glance at the clock reminded her she couldn’t afford to be late. She hurried through her morning routine, tugging on a comfortable blouse and jeans before heading downstairs. Passing the large bay window, she noticed Alexander’s car was gone. A frown tugged at her lips. When does he ever sleep? she wondered. Lately, he seemed to be everywhere and nowhere at once. Shaking the thought away, she entered the kitchen to whip up a quick bre
Before Sophia could stammer a reply, Ethan chimed in. “Yeah, Soph. Spill the beans. Mom’s been dying to know.”Before she could respond, a knock at the door saved her.“Are you expecting someone?” Catherine asked.Sophia shook her head. She jumped up, grateful for the distraction.“I’ll get it,” she said quickly, practically sprinting to the door.When she opened it, her heart stopped. There stood Alexander, his tall frame and sharp features impossible to miss.“Alexander?” she blurted. “What are you doing here?”“Am I not welcome?” he asked, his tone laced with amusement.She forced a smile. “Of course, you are.”He stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, his confident air filling the room instantly. Sophia’s chest tightened as her family turned to face him.“I came to see your mother and wish her a speedy recovery,” Alexander said smoothly, turning to Catherine with a polite smile. “Mrs. Blackwell, I’m Alexander Evans. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”Catherine, surprised, re
Catherine adjusted herself on the couch, her eyes briefly scanning the room before she softly said, "Sophia, could you bring me that scarf I was working on at the hospital? It's in my bag. Knitting helps me focus."Sophia nodded and headed to the corner where her mom's bag was, rummaging through it until she found the unfinished scarf, a soft, cream-colored piece with delicate floral patterns forming at the edges.Handing it to her mom, she sat down across from her, watching as Catherine's hands moved with practiced ease, the rhythmic clicking of the needles filling the silence. After a while, Sophia shifted uneasily in her seat, her voice low but clear. “I’m sorry, Mom,” she began, her words faltering for a moment.Catherine looked up from her knitting, her brow furrowing. “What is it, darling? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”“I got married on a whim… I should’ve told you first,” she said cautiously, her voice barely above a whisper.Catherine froze, her knitting needles halting
Alexander’s expression darkened, his cold demeanor becoming icy. The tension in the room was palpable.“Ethan!” Sophia scolded, stepping between them. “I’m the one who proposed to him. Don’t blame him for this.”Alexander calmed down; he watched Ethan with an unreadable expression and finally spoke. “It’s fine. He’s just looking out for you. I understand.”Catherine’s voice cut through the tension. “Ethan, apologize. Now.”Ethan hesitated, his jaw tightening. He looked at Alexander and muttered, “I’m sorry.”Alexander inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment.An awkward silence followed.Catherine clapped her hands together, trying to lighten the mood. “Sophia, why don’t you and Ethan go buy a nice fish for dinner? It’s been so long since I’ve had one.”Sophia hesitated, glancing at Alexander, who nodded in approval. After all, he was a busy man. “I’ll wait here,” he said simply, taking a seat on the couch.Sophia grabbed Ethan’s arm and pulled him toward the door. “Come on, let’s
When they arrived at Valmere, Alexander headed straight to his study, muttering something about catching up on work. Sophia didn’t mind. She made her way to the kitchen, eager to focus on preparing dinner. Cooking was her escape, a way to silence the noise in her head.She decided on stuffed chicken with herbs, a dish that required careful preparation. As she worked, the familiar rhythm of chopping, stirring, and seasoning brought her a sense of calm. One hour later, the meal was ready, and she set the table with precision. Just as she placed the last fork, Alexander entered the dining room.He didn’t say much at first, simply taking his seat as she served him. They ate in silence, but Sophia noticed something unusual. Alexander, who normally approached meals like they were a chore, seemed to linger over each bite. He chewed slower, his gaze distant, as though he were somewhere else entirely.Sophia's cooking always reminded him of his mother.“Is everything okay?” Sophia asked hesit
Carla’s eyebrows lifted slightly. “Tampered with?”“Yes,” Sophia said, her eyes darting toward Nina. “The edits were made from another account. Nina’s account, to be specific.”A ripple of murmurs swept through the room. Nina’s head shot up, her calm facade cracking. “That’s ridiculous,” she said sharply. “Why would I touch your files?”“I don’t know,” Sophia said in an accusing tone, “but the timestamps don’t lie. Would you like to explain?”Carla turned to Nina, her gaze piercing. “Nina?”For a moment, Nina’s composure faltered, but she quickly recovered. “There must be some mistake,” she said, her voice laced with indignation. “Maybe my account was hacked.”She didn't expect Sophia to be so bold as to accuse her in front of Carla Lennox. She had sabotaged many other designers who she thought were a threat to her.There is a rumor that Carla might be promoted, and Nina wanted to make sure she would be the one to take over her position.But this time, despite schooling in the same co
Emily pretended to be hurt. “Ouch, that hurts, girl.” She winked and walked back to her desk, leaving Sophia alone with her thoughts. As noon approached, Sophia’s nerves were frayed. She’d managed to pull together three drafts using older ideas, but she knew Nina would still find a way to twist things. Just as she was finalizing the third draft, Nina’s voice cut through the office. “Sophia,” she said, sauntering over. “It’s almost noon. Do you have my drafts?” Sophia looked up, her heart sinking. But before she could respond, a sharp clap echoed through the room. “Attention, everyone!” Carla Lennox stood in the doorway, her commanding presence silencing the office. “I have an announcement.” The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to Carla. “Sophia Blackwell,” Carla began, her gaze locking on Sophia. “From now on, you don’t need to submit your drafts to senior designers. You’ll submit th
Zach’s eyes lit up at her words, misconstruing her professional tone. To him, this was easier than he thought. He glanced at his associates, who laughed knowingly. "You’re lucky tonight, Mr. Thompson," one of them teased. Zach grinned his yellowed teeth on full display. Sophia resisted the urge to look away, her professionalism holding firm. She smiled professionally before urging him again, “Okay, your sign, Mr Thompson." Zach took the contract, picked up the pen, and signed quickly without much thinking. He said, "There you go, Miss Blackwell.” Handing it back to her, he added, “Now we can get to the good part. Shall we celebrate properly?" Sophia’s stomach twisted as she slid the signed contract into her bag. “Thank you, Mr. Thompson. I’m sure this partnership will be mutually beneficial.” Zach leaned closer, his breath reeking of alcohol. “Oh, it’ll be beneficial, all right.” He reached fo
Back in Sadrova restaurant, Alexander emerged from the bathroom after several knocks on the door.He wrapped a towel around his waist and opened the door.Tim hurried in with his bag. He looked just like any other thirty-year-old guy who happened to be on duty. His white doctor’s coat was slightly creased like he’d rushed out of the hospital without a second thought. Underneath, he had on a black T-shirt and jeans, just something comfortable for a long shift. A stethoscope still hung around his neck, probably out of habit more than anything. His glasses gave him a smart, slightly serious look, but there was an easygoing air about him.“What took you so long?” Alexander asked, masking the discomfort in his body."I left my patients waiting just to come here, and you're complaining?" Tim asked casually, placing his bag on the couch.Alexander just snorted, glaring at him before making his way to the couch.Tim didn’t waste time once he saw Alexander’s condition. He quickly prepared a s
Alexander closed his eyes tightly, unwilling to look at her. Images of Sophia flooded his mind.“No, I can’t let this happen. I won’t,” he muttered, biting his lower lip hard as if the pain would fight off the drug’s effect.He struggled to wake up again, pushing Jessica away. She tried to resist but this time, Alexander shoved her harder, and she fell from the bed.He didn't even spare her a glance; he quickly bent toward the bedside table, grabbed his phone, and staggered out of the room.He struggled to walk in the hallway, holding on to the wall for support.When he reached the next suite, he found a couple holding each other as they were about to make their way in.The man opened the door with a gentlemanly smile, signaling to the lady to get in first.Before the woman could react, Alexander snatched the room card and staggered inside leaving the words, “Sorry, I need to use the room.”Before the man could react, he had already locked the door from the inside.“Damn it!” The man
Meanwhile, back in Hawthorne's ancestral home, Marcus knocked on his grandpa's bedroom, casually tucking his other hand into his pants pocket.After Raphael murmured from inside, he pushed the door open and walked inside. The room was dimly lit, with a bedside lamp casting a soft amber glow over the space. The air held a comforting mix of lavender and woody from the old oak furniture.A large, neatly made bed stood against the far wall, its thick duvet turned down slightly, perhaps he was ready for bedtime.An antique clock ticked quietly on the wall, and a pair of slippers sat perfectly aligned by the edge of a plush rug.Raphael was seated on a couch near the window with a steaming cup of tea on the small table in front of him. Despite the warmth in the room, he had a shawl draped over his shoulders, and the lines on his face seemed deeper under the soft light.He seemed to have aged more since the last time Marcus saw him. “Grandpa,” he greeted.“Sit,” Raphael said, pointing at t
Chapter 124: Alexander's Helpless Alexander’s jaw clenched and his eyes darkened. The tension in the room grew so thick that it felt like the air itself was pressing down on everyone. Mark turned to him apologetically, “Sorry, boss, I will...” “It's okay. You can go.” Alexander cut him off coldly. Then he added, “Mark, you can take your leave. You will be rewarded for today." He had just remembered it was supposed to be Mark's off day. “Thank you, boss.” Mark nodded happily before walking out, knowing that his boss didn't blame him. Bullock swallowed hard as he stood up to face Jessica. “Miss Jason, whatever deal we had with your father is being handled by my secretary. Please go speak to her,” he said politely. “I just did that but she couldn't give me any substantial explanation. That's why I came to look for you,” Jessica said with a righteous voice, sounding offended. “I'll look for Mr Jason myself and give him an explanation,” Bruno said, trying to send Jessica aw
“You're the pride of the Hawthornes, my dear. That Sophia was our bad luck; Look at how we're prospering now that she's gone. My son is more accomplished now that she isn't here to drag him behind.” Evelyn clapped like a child who just won a prize, her eyes glowing with pride. She walked over to Marcus and patted his shoulder like he’d just won a major award. “I’m so proud of you, son.” “Marcus, I hope you're not still dreaming of bringing her back,” Lauren scoffed, tilting her chin up in distaste. Marcus leaned back lazily, his arms spread across the back of the couch. He smirked, brushing invisible dust from his shirt like a king making a declaration. “Sophia will be mine sooner or later..." “Marcus, you're just digging your own grave. Go see your grandpa now.” His father's angry voice came from upstairs interrupting them. “So it's true you don't believe in me, Dad. Is that why you stepped down?” Marcus turned to him with his face full of disappointment. His fathe
“Wait… why are you so quick to defend yourself?” Sophia laughed out, amused.“Well, that's because I hate slander. But you know I'm not lying, right?” he asked, shrugging his shoulders. “Yes. You two are gentlemen. The girl who ends up with you will be the luckiest,” she said, winking at Amelia.“Did you hear that?” Michael turned to Amelia proudly. “You two are impossible.” Amelia stomped her foot and walked away to hide her flushing face.***Meanwhile, Alexander watched silently as his phone disconnected. “I need to deal with Jessica quickly or it will affect my relationship with Sophia,” he muttered before walking back to the coffee shop with a resolute face. “Have you made up your mind?” he asked as he sat down. “You said you can fulfill any of my wishes, right?” Jessica asked, putting her phone on the table. “Anything within my capability,” Alexander said, leaning on his seat. “Then divorce Sophia and marry me.” She dared him. The moment the last word left her mouth, the
Back at the Eldridge International Airport, the final boarding call echoed through the terminal: “Final boarding for Flight 782 to Geniva. All remaining passengers, please proceed to Gate 14 immediately.” Jessica stood up calmly, composed, like everything was going exactly as she had planned. She picked up her handbag, adjusted her blazer slightly, and started walking toward the gate. Her assistant, clearly more nervous, hurried after her. “Miss Jason, are we boarding now? I thought …” “Just follow me and stop asking questions,” Jessica cut her coldly and walked ahead. Her heels clicked confidently against the polished floor without any hint of panic. When they reached the gate, she handed over her passport and boarding pass with a small, polite smile. The attendant scanned them and gave a quick nod. “You may proceed.” She and her assistant began walking down the jet bridge. They were only a few steps away from the plane's door when a sudden urgent voice cal
Back in Eldridge, in the backyard of Jason's estate, Rachel knelt by her flowerbed, humming a tune as she worked.She wore a flowing cream-colored dress that fluttered slightly with the breeze. A wide straw hat shielded her face, but even then, the grace in her every movement showed. Her hands, though elegant, weren’t afraid of dirt. She held a small pruning shear and gently snipped away a dried leaf from one of her prized roses.The garden was in full bloom, with roses in shades of blush and deep red, lilies standing tall and proud, and dainty white daisies dancing in the wind. It was her happy place. Every weekend, she spent at least an hour here. It was one of the few things that grounded her and made her feel like everything would be okay.She wiped her forehead with the back of her glove, smiling faintly at the progress she had made. Her flowerbed looked perfect.Just then, a servant came rushing out from the house, breathless.“Madam, Mr. Evans is here. He doesn’t look like he c
Meanwhile, back in Averia, Alexander’s car rolled to a stop outside a modest building nestled between tall sycamore trees. The sign above the gate read Happy Orphanage in faded blue paint. The walls were worn and the compound was quiet and solemn. A woman in her mid-fifties stepped out to meet him. Her hair was tied in a tight bun, streaked with gray, and her eyes held both kindness and years of experience. She wore a plain beige dress and clutched a manila folder to her chest like it held secrets. “Welcome to Happy Orphanage, Mr. Evans. We’re at your service,” she greeted warmly, with a practiced tone like someone used to formalities and farewells. Alexander nodded and followed her inside. In her office, she showed Alexander all the files related to the person he was looking for. “According to your description, this is the person who was at the orphanage and later rescued by her parents that same year,” she explained, handing over the file. Alexander took the document and fli