Chapter two

Sitting in the backseat of the cab as it sped through the quiet streets of Belgium. Sophie sighed deeply, her mind racing with the memories of the choices that brought her to this point. Her father's words still echoed in her mind, but they can't seem to erase the bitterness of the past.

"If you don't marry him, I'll disown you," Richard Burnett threatened. 

Of course, he doesn't mean it, but Sophie had taken his words seriously and walked out of the mansion without a second thought. Even when her mother had done everything to bring her back, she still refused.

"I didn't leave because I hated them," she muttered to herself. "I left because I hated the future they choose for me."

Her fingers tightened on her laps, the smooth fabric of her gown crumpling under her grip. 

It wasn’t that she despised the man her father had chosen for her to marry—Alexander Beaumont, the heir to a rival family’s business empire. He was handsome, and wealthy, but Sophie had hated the control of her family. They choose literally everything for her, down to her friends and even her course of study— she had wanted to study medicine, but instead her father forced her to study business administration.

Sophie wanted more. She had swore that she would choose the man she would marry herself, so when she met Ethan, she thought she had found it. He was charming, ambitious, and unlike the world she had grown up in. She fell in love with the version of him who promised her freedom and a life built on love, not business alliances or power plays.

But now, staring at the remnants of her broken marriage, she couldn't help but wonder if her father had been right all along. 

Her phone buzzed in her clutch pulling her away from her thoughts. She glanced down at the screen—it was Cameilla, probably calling to check on her. Sophie let it go into voicemail. She needed a moment to collect her thoughts.

As the cab pulled into the parking lot of a nearby hotel where she planned to stay the night, Sophie wiped away her tears as she felt the first flicker of hope. She would figure this out. She always did.

But as she stepped out of the car, the sound of hurried footsteps made her turn. Two men in uniform approached her, their expression grim. 

"Mrs Crawford," one of the men asked.

She frowned, the name she would kill for in the past, suddenly disgust her. "Yes."

"You are under arrest for your embelzzlement scheme at Crawford enterprise."

Sophie froze, the blood draining off her face. "What! That's ridiculous! I have nothing to do with Ethan's company affairs."

The officer didn’t flinch. “Ma’am, we have reason to believe that you signed a document tonight which was  an attempt to transfer illegal funds under your name. You’ll need to come with us," he said, holding a document that Sophie had never even seen before, but her signature was scrambled legibly across it.

"Ethan," she said between gritted teeth. It was enough that he cheated, divorced her and now he wants her to take the fall for his crimes.

Shock and anger coursed through her, but she forced herself to stay calm. "This is a misunderstanding. I'll cooperate, but let me make a call first."

The officers exchanged a look first, before nodding and stepping aside. With a trembling hand, she reached for the phone, and dialed the one number that she knows could help her.

Her father answered on the second ring. "Sophie."

"Dad," she said, her voice shaking. "I need your help," desperation clawed her voice as she didn't even wait for her father's response. "The police think I’m involved in some embezzlement scheme with Ethan’s company. They’re taking me in.”

There was a long pause, then Richard's voice turned steely. "Where are you?"

"Gerrald court," she choked out the name of the hotel.

Richard responded without hesitation. "Stay calm. Don't say anything untill my lawyer gets there. I'll handle it."

The call ended and Sophie allowed the officer to lead her to their car. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she clung to her father's words like a lifeline. Richard would save her— she's his precious daughter afterall.

Hours later, Sophie was seated in a cold, sterile interrogation room, her nerves frayed. The police men had asked her a barrage of questions about the illegal funds, none she could answer, because she had no idea of Ethan's shady dealings.

When the door finally opened, Sophie felt alive. Her family's lawyer, Eleanor Rhodes, a high-profile, no nonsense woman entered with a confident stride.

“You’re free to go Miss Burnett,” the lawyer said, her tone firm. “Your father and I clarified the situation. The charges won’t stick, but you’ll need to be careful moving forward.”

Sophie nodded, shoulders sagged, and she released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "Thank you."

Eleanor Rhodes didn't reply. She only escorted her outside, where a sleek black Benz was waiting. Richard leaned against it, his expression unreadable. 

"Dad," Sophie began, her voice trembling, but he held up a hand silencing her

"Not here," he said curtly. "Let's go home."

The Burnett mansion looked even grander than Sophie remembered as they pulled up the driveway. The sprawling estate was illuminated by soft golden lights, its beauty almost mocking her disheveled state.

When she stepped inside, she was immediately enveloped in the warmth of her mother's embrace. 

"Sophie," Freya said, her voice thick with emotions. "You are home."

Sophie's heart tightened, tears sliding down her face as she hugged her mother back. "I'm sorry for leaving," she whispered.

Her mother pulled back, cupping her face. "You're back now. And that's all that matters."

Richard cleared his throat, drawing their attention. "Sophie has been through a lot today. Let her rest, we will talk more in the morning."

Sophie nodded gratefully and allowed a maid to lead her to one of the guest rooms. It felt strange to be treated like a visitor in the place she had once called home, but she was too exhausted to dwell on it.

The next morning, Sophie woke up to the sound of birds chirping next her window. For a moment, she forgot where she was, but the events of the previous day came rushing back.

After refreshing, she made her way to the dining, where her parents are already seated, her heart heavy but her resolve gathering. 

"Good morning," Richard greeted, his tone softer than she had expected.

"Morning, Dad," Sophie replied, sitting back. 

Her mother poured her a cup of tea. "I had always known that bastard was up to no good," her tone hardened as she referenced to Ethan. Then her tone softened. "We are glad you're back home. We'll do everything we can to help you rebuild."

Sophie hesistated, then nodded. "I don't know where to start...."

Richard leaned forward and interrupted. "You don't have to think too much about it. You're a Burnett, Sophie. It's time to remind everyone of that."

A spark of determination lit in her chest. "You're right. I've spent too long living in someone else shadow."

Richard might not show it, but deep down he was happy to have his baby girl back. He pulled out his phone, dialling his personal assistant.“John,” he said when the call connected, “I need you to make an announcement. The youngest daughter of the Burnett Group is back.”