Chapter 197

Sophie parked at a junction and gazed at the traffic light's countdown, her mind swirling with cold resolve.

'Vivienne, always using others as pawns, will soon face her own tactics turned against her. And Melissa, she's about to feel the sting of loss,; she mused.

-

For three consecutive nights, Melissa lay awake, haunted by the events from five years ago.

The more she dwelled on it, the clearer it became. Sophie hadn't lied—she had truly been Vivienne's pawn.

Fear and a sense of powerlessness overwhelmed her, especially recalling Sophie's menacing parting words. She avoided leaving her house, fearing Sophie’s retaliation.

"Honey, you've been out of sorts these days. Why don't you join me for a morning jog in the park? It might help you relax," Matthew suggested, clad in his usual understated gray sports gear and white sneakers.

"Go run if you want to. I'm too tired to even move," Melissa declined, her irritation evident as she turned away.

Disappointed, Matthew sighed and left