Sophia gripped her phone, staring out of the window as the early morning go into the room. Every inch of her felt numb. For the first time in years, the answer felt clear. She needed to leave Julian, and she shouldn't feel guilty about it. The phone call came in, a low ring that broke the silence. Sophia answered on the reflex. “Sophia speaking," she whispered, so she won't wake up her baby who's now peacefully sleeping. “Mrs. Sebastian?” She hears her father's attorney on the other line. Before she speak up, she can't even prevent her self from smiling bitterly, hearing Julian's surname. “You requested a consultation.” “Yes, that’s right. I need to discuss my inheritance and...the divorce paper,” she said, her words coming out more confidently than she expected. “Of course. I’ll set up a time today at your father’s office. We’ll cover everything.” A pause, then: “It’s wise to know all your options.” Sophia’s chest tightened. This is it, there's no turning back.
Sophia walked into the nursery, her heart softening as she watched her son sleep, his small hand curled around his blanket. Kneeling beside his crib, she whispered, “It’ll be just us soon. You and me, in a better place.” Just as Sophia settled onto the couch to take a moment of peace, her phone rang. It was an unknown number, but she picked up, expecting it to be the lawyer with an update. “Mrs. Sophia Grant Sebastian?” The voice was tense, she could sense almost panicking. “This is St. John’s Hospital. Your husband has been admitted.” “W-What? What happened?” She's surprised, as she see her reflection in the mirror still wearing some worried face after what she heard. “There was… an incident involving his company,” the nurse explained, sounding unsure. “We don’t know the full details, but you should come right away.” Sophia’s mind spun. “I—I’m on my way.” She hung up, still in shock. As she grabbed her things, her phone buzzed again with another message, this t
Julian... asking for another chance? After everything? After he left me begging for his love... for you...” It's late at night. Sophia is sitting on the edge of her bed, gazing at her baby peacefully sleeping in a crib beside her. “Little one, you don’t even know how much your life has changed mine. You’ve given me strength... but why does it feel like I’m about to make the weakest decision of my life?” She reaches out, brushing her baby’s tiny hand. Her eyes glisten with an unshed tears Her mind flashes back to Julian’s voice earlier that evening, firm but desperate, while lying on the hospital bed. --- “Sophia, please. I’ve made mistakes... terrible mistakes. I was a fool. But I’m trying to fix them. I just need... I need you to help me. For our child, if not for me.” “And what about the nights I cried alone? The days I walked around like a shadow of myself because you made me feel worthless?” “I was blind. But I see it now. Sophia, you and our baby are my family. I’ll do
Sophia cradled her baby in the nursery, the soft hum of the lullaby machine is filling the room. The child’s tiny fingers curled gently around hers, and for a brief moment, peace settled over her. But the serenity was short-lived. Her father’s voice echoed in her mind, it's stern and unrelenting. "Sophia, you’re making a mistake. He’s using you. Again." Then came Jamella’s voice, sharper and more urgent. "You’re blind if you think he’s changed. People like Julian don’t change—they just get better at fooling you." She shut her eyes, willing the words away. Julian had been trying. He’d been home more, spending time with their baby, even cooking breakfast. And yet, doubt lingered like a shadow she couldn’t shake. The door creaked open, breaking her thoughts. Julian stepped inside, his smile is wide and disarming. “Hey,” he whispered, leaning against the frame. “How’s our little angel?” “She just fell asleep,” Sophia replied softly, her gaze is fixed on the baby’s peaceful
Sophia is hiding just outside Julian’s office, the low light from the ajar door illuminates her tear-streaked face. Her chest tightens as she strains to hear the conversation inside. “Do you really think she bought your little redemption act? That 'I’m-suddenly-a-good-husband' nonsense?” Vanessa asked Julian, mocking Sophia. “Of course, she did. Sophia’s always been naive, clinging to her precious ‘happy ending.’ All I had to do was throw her a few breadcrumbs—a couple of sweet words and a few staged moments with our son," Julian sighed, saying this annoyed. Vanessa then laughed coldly. "You’re such a smooth liar, darling. But what’s the plan now? She’s been getting too confident lately, thinking she’s got her life back together.” Julian is back in his chair. “The plan stays the same. I’ll keep her distracted with the baby. Make her feel like I’m trying to fix our marriage. Meanwhile, you and I focus on finalizing the paperwork to transfer the rest of her assets. Once that’s
Sophia is hiding just outside Julian’s office, the low light from the ajar door illuminate her tear-streaked face. Her chest tightens as she strains to hear the conversation inside. “Do you really think she bought your little redemption act? That 'I’m-suddenly-a-good-husband' nonsense?” Vanessa asked Julian, mocking Sophia. “Of course, she did. Sophia’s always been naive, clinging to her precious ‘happy ending.’ All I had to do was throw her a few breadcrumbs—a couple of sweet words and a few staged moments with our son," Julian sighed, saying this annoyed. Vanessa then laughed coldly. "You’re such a smooth liar, darling. But what’s the plan now? She’s been getting too confident lately, thinking she’s got her life back together.” Julian is back in his chair. “The plan stays the same. I’ll keep her distracted with the baby. Make her feel like I’m trying to fix our marriage. Meanwhile, you and I focus on finalizing the paperwork to transfer the rest of her assets. Once that’s d
"So, this is it?" Sophia’s voice cracked slightly as she stared into the untouched cup of tea on the table in front of her. Her fingers trembled, but not from weakness. It was the surge of anger bubbling beneath her. "After all the warnings, I’m the idiot who believed in him. In us." Jamella leaned back on the couch, her gaze is soft but her tone is unyielding. "Sophia, it’s not about being an idiot. It’s about wanting to believe in love. But now? You have to choose yourself. No more excuses." Sophia snapped her head up, her eyes blazing. "Oh, don’t you think I know that now? I just—" She paused, breathing heavily. "I’m so mad, Jamella! I’m furious at Julian. At Vanessa. At myself. How could I be so blind? How could I let this happen, again?!" Jamella scooted closer, her hand hovering near Sophia’s shoulder but not quite touching. She knew Sophia wasn’t ready for comfort yet. "You let it happen because you loved him, because you love your son and you want the best for him.
Sophia sat in the coffee shop, staring at the tablet screen in front of her. The words in the article seemed almost too good to be true— Julian Sebastian’s Company Facing Financial Ruin because of scammers She blinked, reading it again, the sensation of triumph is bubbling within her chest. There it was, right in front of her: undeniable proof that everything she had suspected was coming to light. The rumors about his company’s financial troubles had been real, and she liked how karma came too fast, the kind problem that could ruin that man—and everything he had worked for. "Finally. It’s happening. It’s really happening," she whispered. The screen blurred momentarily as her fingers trembled. She leaned back in her chair, almost tasting the sweet irony of it all. The once-untouchable Julian Sebastian, the man who thought he could do whatever he pleased, was now facing the consequences of his own greed, his lies, and his arrogance. "Looks like fate’s finally on my side," she whisp
“Are you ready?” Alexander’s deep, steady voice filled the hallway as he stepped inside Sophia’s grand yet understated home. He adjusted his cufflinks, his sharp navy suit tailored perfectly to his form, exuding an effortless sophistication. “Just a moment!” Sophia’s voice called out from upstairs. Alexander leaned against the polished bannister, his brow furrowing as he heard the faint click of her heels descending the staircase. When Sophia came into view, his breath hitched. She was a vision in a floor-length, crimson gown that clung to her curves in all the right ways. Her hair, styled in soft waves, cascaded down her back, and her makeup highlighted the sharp cheekbones and full lips he hadn’t noticed before more often. She was radiant—commanding, even. There's really something different from her now, it's a sense of strength. “Wow…” The word escaped him unbidden, and Sophia paused at the bottom of the stairs, her lips curving into a subtle, knowing smile. “Is it too mu
Alexander’s lips curved into a small smile as he stared at the photo on his phone screen. It was a candid shot taken at Grant's mansion. Sophia, her son, and himself sitting together at the carpet, laughter frozen in time. The image looked deceptively like a family portrait, and Alexander couldn’t stop himself from repeatedly glancing at it. “They could be mine,” he murmured under his breath, his thumb brushing over Sophia’s face on the screen. He chuckled softly, shaking his head. “Not even close.” Still, he couldn’t deny the warmth spreading in his chest as he stared at her. Sophia’s laughter in the picture was genuine, unguarded—something he rarely saw these days. His gaze lingered on her solo shot, taken later that same day. Her soft smile,—it did something to him. His pulse quickened, betraying emotions he hadn’t fully acknowledged until now. And then anger simmered beneath the surface. Her ex-husband, Julian, had destroyed so much of her trust, wasted so much of what she h
"Come on, buddy, give me something here," Alexander teased, his rich baritone carrying through the quiet living room. He was on the floor, lying on his side, gently wiggling a plush giraffe in front of Sophia's baby boy. The baby cooed, waving his tiny fists toward Alexander’s tie, which had become his new favorite toy. "He's obsessed with that tie," Sophia said from the couch, her arms crossed as she watched the two interact. "You’re going to spoil him." "Good taste should be encouraged early," Alexander quipped, carefully lowering the tie within the baby’s reach. The baby grabbed it, letting out a squeal of delight. Sophia shook her head, a soft smile is tugging at her lips. She didn’t know what to make of Alexander Cater. At first, she thought he was just doing a favor for her father, fulfilling some unwritten rule of loyalty between business partners. But the way he treated her son—with tenderness, patience, and genuine care—was starting to chip away at her skepticism.
“You’re letting them win, Sophia.” Her father’s voice was calm, but there was an edge to it—a fury he barely masked. Sophia sat slumped on the couch, her face is pale and devoid of the spark it used to have. She didn’t even glance up at him. “What do you want me to do, Dad? Fight them in court? Waste more money just to hear people say that Julian and Vanessa are saints and I’m the bitter ex-wife?” she muttered, running her fingers through her unkempt hair. Her Dad crossed his arms and stared at her for a long moment. “No. I want you to stop giving up.” Sophia scoffed, leaning back into the cushions. “Easier said than done. You don’t have the entire country laughing at you. I do. Every time I step out, people whisper about how pathetic I am. And Julian…he just gets to live his life with her, like his son never existed.” His Dad's’s jaw tightened. “You still have people who care about you, Sophia. Jamella and I aren’t going anywhere. And your son—” “My son doesn’t even
“Vanessa, don’t you think it was a bit theatrical?” Julian asked, there's a hint of amusement in his voice as the door to his lavish office clicked shut. Vanessa smirked, tossing her designer handbag onto the plush leather couch. “Theatrics are necessary sometimes. Sophia’s humiliation needed to be public. It cements the narrative in everyone’s mind.” She adjusted her crimson nails, inspecting them like nothing else mattered. Julian poured himself a glass of whiskey from the crystal decanter on the side table, the clinking of ice is the only sound in the room for a moment. “Still, I don’t like leaving loose ends.” Vanessa scoffed, sauntering over to him. “She’s all bark and no bite. Besides, the evidence we planted is foolproof. Even if she screams conspiracy, no one will believe her.” ~ Flashbacks... Julian raised an eyebrow, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. “Foolproof? That’s a strong word, Julian. You better hope you're right because I don’t enjoy surprises—e
Sophia’s heels clicked sharply against the polished floor as she strode into the high-class bar, the doors slide open effortlessly in front of her. She was done with the day, done with the lies, the drama, and most of all, done with them. "Vanessa? Really?" she muttered to herself, feeling the burn of humiliation deep in her chest. Her ex-husband's affair had taken center stage in her life, and Vanessa, the girlfriend, had been flaunting it for all to see. Sophia could barely breathe without someone whispering behind her back, throwing the blame on her like she had somehow been the one to ruin everything. The bar was quiet, an escape from the chaos outside, the dim lighting making it feel like she was stepping into another world entirely. She moved toward the counter, trying to steady her shaking hands. She settled onto a barstool, signaling the bartender. "Whiskey, neat," she said, her voice surprisingly calm, though inside, it was anything but. The bartender didn’t questi
“Is this some kind of joke?!” Sophia's voice echoed sharply across the cold marble floor of Julian's company lobby. Her heart raced as she took in the chaos in front of her. Her belongings—her meticulously curated files, her awards, even the small cactus she kept on her desk—were being unceremoniously dumped into cardboard boxes by two security guards. Julian leaned casually against the reception desk, arms crossed, a slight smirk tugged at his lips. Vanessa stood beside him, dressed impeccably in a tailored black dress, her crimson nails were tapping rhythmically on her phone as if Sophia's outrage were nothing more than background noise. Sophia stormed toward them, her heels clicked like gunshots against the floor. “Julian, Vanessa, what the hell is going on? You can't just throw my things out like I’m some disgraced intern. I own the majority shares in this company!” Vanessa didn’t even bother to look up. “Not for long,” she murmured with a dismissive chuckle. Sophia’
Sophia had stayed late, long after the board meeting had ended, trying to focus on the numbers in front of her. But the weight of Julian and Vanessa’s presence—especially their closeness—had been impossible to ignore. She had to push past the bitterness, keeping herself focused on the work at hand, she must keep in her mind the goal that she has. Then, just as she was about to leave, the door creaked open. Vanessa stepped inside, her heels are clicking sharply on the floor as she moved toward Sophia’s desk. Her posture was straight, too confident, and the smile she wore was anything but friendly. Sophia didn’t even look up. She didn’t want to. But Vanessa didn’t seem to care. “You know, I thought you’d be gone by now,” Vanessa said, her voice dripping with condescension. She stood just a little too close, the scent of her perfume is now filling the space between them. “I mean, after everything Julian’s done, I thought you’d want to get away from all of this. From the company,
“So, what's next?” she asked, her voice is low, yet filled with anticipation. “She already owns most of the company. Now, we need to make sure she feels it. That she knows she’s not welcome here.” Julian's lips twitched into a bitter smile. “She’s not going to be able to walk in here without feeling the weight of what she’s lost. I’m going to make sure of that. We’ll make her regret every decision that led her to this point.” He leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled in front of him. Vanessa’s eyes glinted with excitement. “I’m in. But we need to make her feel it, Julian. Not just the business side. We need her to see us—together. In front of her face. That’ll hurt her the most.” Julian thought for a moment, then nodded. “Exactly. Let’s make sure she sees how happy we are. How perfect we are. Let’s remind her of everything she can’t have anymore.” Vanessa walked over to him, sitting on the edge of his desk, her proximity deliberate. She lowered her voice, her tone is