~Liam~I found myself staring at the computer screen in utter shock, grappling with the implications of the email. I knew Racheal Armstrong was a friend of Justin's, but had she confided in him about her past and what she had endured? I turned to Josephine, who appeared somewhat tense."What's running through your mind, Jo?" I inquired, and she shrugged."This is happening way too fast, but there doesn't seem to be any immediate gain for Miley or Racheal in doing this," she responded, echoing my thoughts."It does seem rather premature, and perhaps they are displeased that Jacob didn't make Adrian face the consequences of his actions," I mused as I pushed back from the table. Josephine got up from my lap. My urgency to check on Harper and discuss the matter of Adrian was mounting. We couldn't afford this kind of attention right now. If Adrian's character was truly questionable, Harper needed to find other ways to express her rebellion against our father. Adrian was a dangerous man."Wh
~Sophia~ I could have never imagined a day when freedom would be mine. Hope had grown dim amidst the chaos of my existence, and I had resigned myself to the idea of death's arrival, yet it continually eluded me. No matter how desperately I extended my grasp, it remained just beyond my reach, a cruel mockery. Those heartless souls who had taken and traded me ensured it stayed that way, compelling sustenance into my body merely sufficient to preserve life. Over time, I surrendered the futile struggle and clung tenaciously to the fragile thread of existence, nurturing a fervent desire for eventual retribution. Little did I realise that such an opportunity would eventually manifest itself. I had been under the impression that Liam had abandoned the quest, and strangely, I found a sense of relief in this, knowing that they intended to exploit me as bait to ensnare him. I had resigned myself to the belief that I had been forsaken, and when they traded me away, I assumed my fate was sealed
~Liam~ Following my conversation with Harper, I recognised the need to put the matter concerning Adrian to rest. The determination in my sister's eyes was crystal clear; she wasn't willing to let him go, regardless of whether we supported her or not. I understood that the best way to be there for her was to respect her decision and offer my support, even if I felt uneasy about it. However, I couldn't ignore the nagging concern about this Racheal woman and her involvement in the situation. It struck me as peculiar that she hadn't seen fit to mention it to Justin. Did he already know, or was she perhaps too embarrassed to bring it up with him? I anticipated getting to the bottom of this when he returned. "I have no choice but to support you, Harper. If your feelings for Adrian are this strong, then I'm with you all the way. We'll dig into the events together," I assured her, and she wiped away her tears, nodding gratefully. "Thank you, Liam. Honestly, I think you should meet him. He'
~Sophia~ Saying I was nervous would be an understatement. Positioned within Grizlo's airport arrivals section, I found my stomach swarming with butterflies. These were not the pleasant, fluttering kind; instead, they brought forth doubts and anxieties. I worried that someone might recognise me and apprehend me or that I was putting those around me in danger. There was also the fear of acknowledging everything I had missed. I stood there, my anxiety palpable, and clung to my coat like a protective shield. Using my bony fingers, I pulled the coat tighter around me as if it could envelop and conceal me completely. But who was I fooling? It was all a product of my own imagination. "Are you alright, Sophie?" Justin's voice jolted me from my sombre reverie, prompting me to turn and meet his gaze. Concern was etched across his face, leaving me to ponder whether it was my demeanour that had provoked it or if he was grappling with his own inner turmoil. He extended his hand toward mine, and
~Sophia~ Liam stood tall, exuding his usual handsome charm. He appeared more mature in a truly captivating way. Though the smile I believe he had before I opened the door had disappeared, I refrained from probing further. My gaze averted, I retreated into the room, fidgeting with the wig atop my head, eager to shield my face. The disguise still clung to me, as I hadn't found a moment to remove it. "Not pretty anymore, han?" I nervously quipped, met with his silence. He followed me into the room, closing the door gently behind him. At that moment, I wished the ground would swallow me whole, consumed by both shame and anger. I waited for him to break the silence, but he remained mute. Instead, he drew me into his embrace, enfolding me in his strong arms. "Goddess, Sophia," he finally uttered, his voice trembling. Tears welled in my eyes as I clung to him, unable to hold back my emotions. "I'm grateful they found you," he continued, his voice shaking with emotion. "Thank you, Li. Th
~Justin~ As I observed the trepidation in Sophia's eyes about joining the others for lunch, it became evident that she was far from recovered. The fact that she had covered the mirror also conveyed her shame regarding her appearance. It was clear to me that she would require therapy to heal. I couldn't quite pinpoint what compelled me to touch her cheek, but there was an undeniable pull. Something drew me to her, a force stronger than I had ever experienced before. Perhaps it was the sympathy I felt for her, but I understood the need to exercise caution. When I made contact with her cheek, I sensed her wolf's subtle reaction, a faint vibration in response to my touch. I couldn't discern whether it was anger or repulsion, but I couldn't blame her. Given all that she had endured, being touched was likely the last thing on her mind. It was indeed a profoundly sad ordeal. "No need to change your routine because of me. I'm perfectly fine eating on my own," she insisted, stepping back f
~Justin~ After Harper had made her request and left my office, I was relieved that she understood my need for space. However, there was a troubling sensation deep within my soul, and it was undoubtedly connected to Sophia. The haunted look in her eyes spoke volumes. I was unsure of how to make things right, but I couldn't ignore the overwhelming urge to care for and protect her, a feeling that had gripped me since I first held her at the warehouse. She had endured so much, and I couldn't bear the thought of leaving her to heal on her own. Nevertheless, reconciling this newfound sense of responsibility toward Sophia with what Harper had just asked of me posed an internal dilemma. I was acutely aware that Harper needed an answer, and the determination in my cousin's eyes suggested she might take matters into her own hands if I didn't assist. The weight of it all overwhelmed me. Ever since I took on the role of alpha in Grizlo at my father's behest, with the sole purpose of aiding and p
~Liam~ Justin's words had inflicted a deep wound. Sophia had never given me any reason to believe that she couldn't handle the news I had shared with her. When he uttered those hurtful remarks, the taste of my food turned bland, as my intent had never been to cause pain or distress to my friend. His suggestion for me to give her space felt like a rejection, as though I might shatter her further, and that left me feeling miserable. I had no intention of heeding Justin's advice. Instead, I planned to see Sophia and have an open conversation about her feelings regarding the information I had disclosed. All I yearned for was to have my old friend back, but my brief interactions with her hinted that it might never be the same again. I harboured a deep resentment toward anyone who had played a part in her suffering. It was an incredibly tough admission, but Sophia had been mentally scarred. Her eyes bore a haunted look, and I knew it would take nothing short of a miracle to restore the sp