“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
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,
“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’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
“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
“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
"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.
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
The ride home unfolded in a blanket of silence, heavy and thick, as if the air itself had decided to hold its breath. In the distance, the flickering lights of police cars danced like fireflies, a haunting reminder of the chaos they had just escaped. The wreckage was now behind them, but the memories clung on like stubborn shadows, refusing to let go. The tires hummed rhythmically against the asphalt, the only sound piercing through the tension that enveloped the car.Sophia sat in the passenger seat, her arms wrapped around herself, peering out the window as if the passing scenery could somehow wash away the night’s harrowing events. Her mind replayed the drama like a broken record—the heart-pounding chase, the crack of gunfire, the horrific wreck that had nearly claimed them. Each moment echoed in her thoughts, leaving her feeling cold and unsettled.In the backseat, Alexander was a study in stillness. His expression was like an unreadable book, his fingers tapping absently against
The crash site was a chaotic swirl of flashing red and blue lights, casting vibrant hues against the dark canvas of the night. Police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks surrounded the mangled wreckage. Officers dashed about with purpose, securing the perimeter while paramedics leapt into action, their faces set with determination as they raced to assess the damage. Above them, smoke curled lazily from the remains of Julian and Vanessa’s SUV, its once-proud metal frame now twisted and contorted against the cliffside. The road above bore the scars of the violent chase, a chaotic tapestry of skid marks, shattered glass, and debris that told a story of reckless speed. Alexander and Sophia found themselves seated on the dirt, hearts racing and bodies trembling, but somehow, miraculously, unscathed. The adrenaline still surged through them, a wild river of energy that made their breaths come in uneven bursts.Sophia ran a shaky hand through her hair, her gaze fixed on the burning wreckage,
The smoke curled and twirled in the night air, wrapping around Alexander and Sophia like an unwelcome shawl as they burst onto the rooftop, their breaths coming in ragged gasps, hearts pounding like a drum in their chests. Below them, the distant wail of sirens harmonized with the crackling embers that danced like fireflies, but up here? Ah, up here, the city sprawled out in all its glittering glory, an endless sea of lights.Sophia pressed her back against the rusty water tank, its metallic surface cold and unforgiving. She gripped Alexander’s wrist just as he was about to dart off into the unknown. “Wait!” she hissed, her voice barely rising above the whispering wind that tousled their hair. “Do you hear that?”In an instant, Alexander froze, straining to catch the faint murmur of voices drifting over the low concrete barrier. He edged closer, moving with the stealth of a cat, peering into the shadowy depths at the rooftop’s far edge.There stood Julian, leaning casually against the
Sophia’s heart raced like a wild drum as she took stock of her surroundings. The room felt sparse and bare, its corners adorned only by a few forlorn items: an old wooden crate that had seen better days, a rusty pipe that looked like it had stories to tell, and a discarded piece of metal, glinting like a forgotten treasure in the dim light. She focused intently on the rhythms of her captors, Julian and Vanessa. She noted the times they flitted in and out, the cadence of their conversations, their little habits, each detail adding to her growing resolve.“Think, Sophia,” she murmured to herself, determination knitting her brow. “You can’t give up. You’ve got to find a way out of here...” Her gaze swept the room, landing on the rusty pipe, glistening with potential just within her reach. If she could just maneuver her chair a little closer, she might have a chance! She began to shift her weight, inching her chair toward the tantalizing prize, her heart pounding a steady rhythm of hope
“Alexander,” Vanessa’s voice glided through the phone, smooth and calculated like a finely tuned melody. “I’ve been mulling over your predicament, and I believe we can strike a deal that benefits us both.”“What kind of deal?” he shot back, his heart thumping wildly against his chest. “I’m not interested in your little games.”“Oh, this is far from a game,” she replied, a playful lilt dancing in her tone. “This is a golden opportunity for you to reunite with Sophia. All it takes is for you to meet my terms.”“What do you want?” he pressed, a tight knot forming in his stomach like a coiled spring ready to snap.“A simple transaction,” she said, confidence oozing from her voice like syrup. “Hand over a hefty sum—let’s say five million—and agree to my conditions. Then, you’ll have the chance to see Sophia again. No tricks, no traps. Just a straightforward exchange.”“Five million?!” Alexander echoed, disbelief crashing over him like a wave. “You think I just have that kind of cash sittin
“Thank you all for coming on such short notice,” Alexander began, his voice a careful balance of steadiness and urgency as he surveyed the team of detectives gathered around the table. His heart raced like a drum, pounding with the weight of their shared mission. “We need to find Sophia before it’s too late.”Detective Harris, a veteran officer with an unyielding air of authority, nodded gravely. “We understand the urgency, Alexander. But we have to be realistic about our approach. Julian is unpredictable, and he has a knack for covering his tracks.”“Unpredictable? That’s putting it mildly!” Alexander replied, frustration bubbling just beneath the surface like a pot about to boil over. “He’s a monster who thrives on chaos! We can’t just sit here, twiddling our thumbs while he plots his next move!”“Hold on there,” Detective Ramirez interjected, her voice firm yet soothing. “We need a plan that considers Julian’s cunning tactics. He’s not going to make this easy for us, and we have to
Sophia’s heart raced as she heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps drawing near. With a theatrical creak, the door swung open, and in sauntered Julian, exuding confidence with a predatory smile that could curdle milk. “Ah, our little captive is awake,” he declared, his voice oozing with playful mockery. “What a delight to see you again, Sophia. What? Do you think that we are too weak that you can able to totally escape?"“Get away from me!” she shot back, her words sharp as arrows, trembling with a defiant fire that flickered in her eyes.“Such spirit!” he chuckled, striding closer with the swagger of a cat toying with a mouse. “But you know, that fire can be snuffed out quicker than you think. It all depends on how you choose to play the game.”“What game?” she challenged, forcing herself to meet his gaze with a bravery she didn’t quite feel. “You really think you can intimidate me? You’re barking up the wrong tree.”Julian’s grin widened, but the sparkle in his eyes hinted at sha
“Thank you all for coming on such short notice,” Alexander began. He stood at the head of the table, his injured leg propped up on a chair, an act of defiance against the pain that gnawed at him. “We need to formulate a plan to get Sophia back.”Sophia’s father, nodded with a grave expression, as if he were carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. “We can’t waste any more time! Julian and Vanessa are ruthless, and they won’t hesitate to hurtmy daughter!"“Agreed,” chimed in Mark, a former detective with a penchant for precision, leaning forward with an intensity that could cut through steel. “But we need to consider the risks involved. Going in blind could get everyone killed.”“Risks?” Alexander exclaimed, frustration bubbling up like a fizzy soda ready to spill over. “What about the risk to Sophia’s life? We can’t just sit back and wait!”“Calm down, Alexander,” Mark replied, his tone even, like a soothing balm on a fevered brow. “I understand your urgency, but we need a s
“This is absolutely absurd!” Alexander grumbled, rubbing his temples as if he could physically massage away the swirling chaos of the night’s events. “I should have been there for her!”“Hey, hold on a second! You’re alive, and that’s what really matters!” Brian’s voice sliced through Alexander’s spiral of despair. He looked up to find Brian, his dependable right-hand man, sliding into the booth across from him with an expression that was half concern, half determination. “We need to talk.”“Talk? What’s there to even discuss?” Alexander snapped, his frustration bubbling like a boiling pot. “Sophia is still out there, and I simply don’t have time for chit-chat!”Brian shifted uneasily in his seat, glancing around the bustling diner as if to ensure that no prying ears were lurking nearby. “I know you’re upset, but we need to keep our heads in the game.”“Focus? On what, exactly? The fact that I’ve just been shot, and Sophia’s in real trouble?” Alexander leaned in, his voice rising in i