When I got home, the weight of the confrontation at the station still pressed heavily on my chest. My mother’s words echoed in my mind, each syllable laced with anger and judgment. I slammed the door behind me, my steps firm as I made my way to the living room where she sat, sipping tea like nothing had happened. She glanced up at me, her face composed, as if the firestorm she had unleashed didn’t exist. “Why, Mom?” I demanded, my voice trembling with a mix of fury and disbelief. “Why would you go to the police? Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” She set her cup down with a deliberate slowness, her gaze sharp but calm. “I did what any mother would do to protect her daughter.” “Protect me?” I laughed bitterly, crossing my arms. “Don’t pretend this is about me. You’ve been trying to destroy Jack from the start. What’s your plan, Mom? What are you really after?” Her lips pressed into a thin line, and for a moment, I thought she wouldn’t answer. Then, she sighed, gesturing
An hour later, the sound of a car pulling into the driveway drew me to the window. Jefferson stepped out, his tall frame and commanding presence impossible to miss. I hurried downstairs to let him in. “Thank you for coming,” I said, my voice shaky but grateful. He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “Of course. Where is she?” “In the living room,” I said, gesturing toward the door. Jefferson nodded and walked in, his footsteps firm and deliberate. My mother looked up from her tea, her eyes narrowing when she saw him. “What are you doing here?” she asked coldly, setting her cup down. Jefferson didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he took a seat across from her, his expression unreadable. “We need to talk, Karen.” “I don’t have anything to say to you,” she snapped. “Well, I have plenty to say to you,” he replied, his tone calm but unyielding. “This plan of yours to use Sophia’s situation to get money out of Jack—it’s despicable, even for you.” Her eyes flashed wit
My mother reached for my hand, her eyes brimming with tears. “I’m trying to protect you, Sophia. From him, from the pain I know is coming if you stay with him. Please, believe me.” I pulled my hand away, standing to put some distance between us. “I can’t, Mom. I can’t just trust you after everything you’ve done. You’re not trying to protect me—you’re trying to control me. And I won’t let you.” Her shoulders slumped, and for the first time, she looked truly defeated. “You think I’m the enemy,” she said quietly. “But one day, you’ll see. One day, you’ll realize I was right about him.” Without another word, she rose and walked to the door. Before leaving, she turned back to me, her expression a mix of sadness and resolve. “I just hope it won’t be too late when you do.” As the door clicked shut behind her, I sank onto my bed, my mind swirling with doubt and anger. Was she right about Jack? About me? But deep down, I knew one thing for certain: I couldn’t let her control my life,
The sun had already dipped below the horizon by the time I reached Jack's private apartment. My heart was pounding—not from fear, but from determination. I had decided to tell him everything about my mother’s schemes and Margaret’s involvement. We needed to be united against them, no matter what they threw our way.I used the spare key Jack had given me the last time I was here after knocking severally with no response. Pushing open the door to his apartment. The living room was dimly lit, a faint glow spilling out from under the bedroom door. I hesitated, suddenly uneasy.“Jack?” I called softly.No response.I stepped further inside, my unease growing with every step. When I reached the bedroom, I gently pushed the door open, only for the sight before me to send my world crashing down.Jack was in bed, tangled in the sheets with Rachel.Her head was nestled against his chest, and his arm was draped possessively over her. Their clothes were scattered across the floor, leaving no room
The soft rays of morning sunlight streamed through my curtains, pulling me from a restless sleep. I blinked a few times, my eyes adjusting to the light, when a rich aroma wafted into my nose—freshly brewed coffee and something warm, buttery, and sweet. I sat up slowly, confused, and that’s when I saw him. “Good morning, sleepyhead,” Alex said with a boyish grin, standing at the foot of my bed with a tray in his hands. “What… what are you doing here?” I stammered, my voice still thick with sleep and disbelief. He shrugged, setting the tray down on the bedside table. “I figured you could use some cheering up, so I thought I’d surprise you.” My eyes darted to the tray. It was a perfect breakfast spread—pancakes drizzled with syrup, scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, and a steaming cup of coffee. It looked like something out of a magazine. “Cheering up?” I repeated, frowning slightly. He sat on the edge of the bed, his usual playful demeanor softened. “Your mom called me last nigh
That evening, as I sat on my bed, lost in my thoughts, my mother walked in, her expression unreadable. I knew she had something to say—she always did when she had that look. “Sophia, we need to talk,” she said firmly, closing the door behind her. I sighed, already exhausted from the emotional storm Jack had left in his wake. “What is it, Mom?” She sat on the edge of my bed, her gaze serious. “It’s time you stop protecting him.” I frowned. “What are you talking about?” “Jack,” she said sharply. “I know you still have feelings for him, but you need to see things clearly. He took advantage of you, Sophia. He got you pregnant, and now, when you caught him with Rachel, he’s feeding you some ridiculous story to save himself. You can’t keep falling for his lies.” I clenched my fists. “Jack didn’t take advantage of me. I wasn’t forced into anything, Mom.” She let out a frustrated sigh. “That’s exactly what he wants you to think. But you were vulnerable, and he—” “I knew what I
The weight of Rachel’s words sat heavily on my chest as I left her apartment, my mind spinning with a million thoughts. Jack had lied to me. He had betrayed me. And Rachel—someone I had once called a friend—had been playing a game all along.As I walked down the street, I felt like the world around me was moving too fast, blurring together while I remained frozen in place. I wanted to scream, to cry, to demand answers from Jack. But at the same time, I felt so empty inside, as if my heart had shattered into pieces that I might never be able to put back together.By the time I reached home, I felt numb. I pushed open the front door and walked straight to my room, ignoring my mother’s questioning gaze. I knew she’d be smug if she found out the truth, and I wasn’t ready to deal with her gloating.I threw myself onto my bed, staring at the ceiling. The memories of Jack—his touch, his words, his promises—played in my head like a cruel joke. Had he ever really loved me? Or had I been nothin
Once my mother and I got home, she barely spared me a glance as she walked toward the living room. I knew she was still upset about my refusal to report Jack, but I needed to tell her everything before she heard it from someone else.I took a deep breath, steeling myself. “Mom, there’s something I need to tell you.”She sighed dramatically, rubbing her temples. “What now, Sophia?”I hesitated, but there was no easy way to say it. “Jack proposed to me.”For a moment, there was nothing but silence. Then, slowly, she turned to face me, her expression unreadable. “What did you just say?”I swallowed. “Jack proposed. He wants to marry me.”The color drained from her face before fury replaced the shock. She let out a sharp, humorless laugh. “You must be joking.”“I’m not.”She took a step closer, eyes blazing. “You mean to tell me that after everything, after the mess he created, after he ruined our marriage—you’re standing here, telling me you want to marry him?”I met her glare, my voice
The wedding reception was nothing short of magical.The grand ballroom sparkled under the glow of golden chandeliers, casting a warm, romantic ambiance. Tables were adorned with elegant floral centerpieces, soft candlelight flickering between the crystal glasses and silverware. The scent of fresh roses and vanilla from the wedding cake lingered in the air, blending with the laughter and music.Jack and I sat at the beautifully decorated sweetheart table, watching as our guests mingled, sipped champagne, and danced to the soft jazz melody filling the room. The energy was electric, a perfect blend of sophistication and celebration.“I still can’t believe we’re finally married,” I whispered to Jack, squeezing his hand.He turned to me, his blue eyes filled with warmth. “Believe it my darling wife.”A rush of happiness coursed through me. “I love the sound of that.”Jack chuckled. “Get used to it.”We had just finished our first dance as husband and wife, and everything felt like a dream.
The wedding hall was a vision of elegance—golden chandeliers casting a warm glow, ivory drapes flowing like soft clouds, and the scent of fresh roses and peonies filling the air. Guests were already seated, their murmurs blending with the soft melody of a string quartet playing in the background.I walked through the corridors, my wedding gown trailing behind me, the intricate lace shimmering under the warm lights. Every step I took felt heavier than the last, not because of hesitation, but because of the weight of the moment.This was it.The moment I had dreamed of since I was a little girl.The moment I had planned for months, agonizing over every detail—the flowers, the venue, the dress, the guest list. And yet, it wasn’t the aesthetics that made this moment important. It was the man waiting for me at the altar. Jack.My mother held my hand gently as we reached the bridal suite. “Are you okay?” she asked, her gaze searching mine.I swallowed, nodding. “I’m fine.”But my voice wave
The garden terrace was tucked away behind the grand wedding venue, a quiet, secluded spot where guests would later mingle during cocktail hour. The scent of jasmine and fresh roses lingered in the air, the soft rustling of leaves the only sound as I stepped onto the stone pathway.Alex was already there.Dressed in a sharp suit, his dark hair still styled the way I remembered, he turned at the sound of my footsteps. His gaze swept over me, and for a moment, there was something unreadable in his eyes.“You came,” he said.I folded my hands in front of me, keeping my voice steady. “What do you want, Alex?”He let out a slow breath. “I needed to see you. Before you marry him.”Anger flared in my chest. “You’ve had months to see me. You waited until my wedding day?”His jaw tightened. “I know. And maybe I don’t deserve this moment. But I had to try.”“Try what, exactly?”His eyes darkened. “To tell you I still love you.”Silence crashed between us.I clenched my fists. “You don’t get to s
The wedding was just two days away, and every second felt like a blur of last-minute preparations. The venue was set, the guests had confirmed their attendance, and my dress was finally hanging in my room, ready for the big day.Yet, despite all the excitement, an undercurrent of nerves buzzed beneath my skin.I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My heart pounded against my ribs, a mix of anticipation and anxiety.Karen, always attuned to my moods, plopped down beside me. “Alright, spill. What’s going on in that overthinking brain of yours?”I hesitated before sighing. “It just feels surreal, you know? After everything that’s happened, I can’t believe I’m actually getting my happily ever after.”Karen softened, squeezing my hand. “You deserve this, Sophie. Jack loves you. And after all the hell Rachel put you through, this wedding is your fresh start.”I nodded, exhaling slowly. “I know. I just—I want it to go perfectly.”She grinned. “Trust me, it will
Rachel groaned as the officers restrained her, pressing her wounded shoulder against the cold concrete. Her eyes burned with hatred as she glared up at me. "This isn't over," she spat, her voice shaking. "You think you’ve won? You haven’t. I’ll—"Jack stepped forward, his face an unreadable mask of fury. "You're done, Rachel," he said coldly. "You kidnapped Sophie, held her hostage, and threatened her life. You’re not getting out of this."Rachel’s lips trembled, her breathing uneven. "Jack, I—""Save it," Jefferson cut in, his voice as sharp as a blade. He nodded toward the officers. "Get her out of here."The police yanked Rachel to her feet, dragging her toward the exit. As she passed me, she leaned in, her voice a venomous whisper. "Enjoy this while it lasts, Sophie. Because sooner or later, your perfect little world will come crashing down."I didn’t flinch. I simply held her gaze, unshaken. "Goodbye, Rachel."And with that, they took her away.---Outside the warehouse, the cold
I forced myself to stay calm, pushing past the terror threatening to consume me. Rachel had lost everything—her pride, her so-called love, her future. That made her dangerous.But I refused to let her win.I flexed my wrists again, twisting my fingers in slow, careful movements against the rough rope. Every second counted. Every movement had to be precise.The man who had taunted me walked away, leaving me under the watch of another. He was younger, hesitant, his grip on his gun less confident than the others.A weakness.Rachel turned back to me, her arms crossed as she smirked. "You know, Sophie, I thought about just killing you and being done with it."A shiver ran down my spine, but I didn’t let my fear show."But then," Rachel continued, pacing in front of me, "I realized something. Killing you would be too easy. Too quick." She leaned down, her face inches from mine. "I want you to suffer first. I want you to know what it feels like to lose everything."I glared at her, refusing
My knees nearly buckled beneath me. I stared at Rachel, my mind struggling to process the sight before me. The girl who once shared my secrets, my laughter, my life—now stood before me as my captor, her arms crossed with a cruel smirk playing on her lips.“Surprised?” she taunted, tilting her head slightly. “You shouldn’t be. You had to know I wasn’t going to just sit back and watch you get everything you ever wanted.”My mouth went dry. “Rachel…” My voice came out barely above a whisper, filled with disbelief and betrayal. “Why?”Her smirk widened. “Oh, Sophie… Do you really need me to spell it out for you?” She took a slow, deliberate step toward me. “Jack was supposed to be mine. Your mother promised me, but you stole him from me.”I recoiled as if she had struck me. “That’s not true! You two were never together! Jack never loved you!”Rachel’s face twisted with rage. “That’s what you tell yourself, isn’t it?” she sneered. “Well, a deal is a deal.” Her nostrils flared as she clench
The SUV sped through the streets, the city lights blurring past the tinted windows. My heart pounded so hard it hurt, my breaths coming in sharp, uneven gasps as panic clawed at my chest.I was kidnapped, just like in my dream. But this was worse on all levels.First it wasn't a dream this time, and my captors were more mean looking. Lastly, I had no idea who could have sent them.The realization sent a fresh wave of terror through me. My mind raced with questions—Who were these men? Where were they taking me? Why me? But I knew one thing for sure: I couldn’t let them take me without a fight.I twisted in my seat, trying to lunge toward the door, but the grip on my arm tightened painfully.“Try anything, and I’ll put a bullet in you,” the man beside me warned, his voice low and menacing.I froze, my breath hitching. His gloved hand tightened around a sleek black pistol, the barrel glinting under the dim overhead light. My body stiffened in fear.I had to think. I had to find a way out
The weeks following our engagement were nothing short of magical. My heart swelled with happiness as Jack and I began planning our future together. Every morning, I woke up feeling grateful—grateful for my daughter, for my mended relationship with my mother, and for the love I shared with Jack.With our wedding date set, the excitement in the air was almost tangible. There was so much to do—venue selection, guest lists, cake tastings, floral arrangements—but the part I had been looking forward to the most was wedding dress shopping.And today, it was finally happening.With my baby left in the care of her trusted nanny, I set out for a day of wedding dress shopping with my mother. It felt surreal, especially considering how strained our relationship had once been. But now, things were different. We were healing, and today felt like another step toward solidifying our bond.As we arrived at the upscale bridal boutique, my mother reached for my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Are you