Chapter two

I struggled to break free, but his grip was so tight—this time, he seemed prepared.

John turned to the woman on the bed. "Leave us," he commanded. I could hear the rustle of sheets as she gathered her things, preparing to leave. My heart shattered knowing what was about to happen. I could already feel the pain, and tears began to fall.

"Please," I whispered, my last attempt to save myself.

"Don’t beg me now. You brought this on yourself," John sneered, his voice thick with weak pride.

"I’m not begging you, John," I said, shifting my gaze to the woman about to exit. She was the only one standing between me and him, the only person who could help.

"Don’t leave. If you go, he’ll kill me," I whispered, my voice barely audible, trembling with fear. I saw it in John’s eyes—he was capable of it.

The woman paused halfway, her gaze flickering toward me. I saw her expression soften, just a little.

"I said leave, Matilda. Get out!" John barked. But she shook her head, turning to face me instead.

"Let her go, Mr. Smith. This is weak, even for you!" Matilda demanded.

John sneered, his voice dripping with venom. "I guess you don’t want that promotion after all. Leave now, or consider yourself fired."

Matilda stood her ground, adjusting her stance. "I’ll put this online if you don’t let her go." She pulled out her phone and pointed the camera at John. Immediately, I felt his grip loosen slightly.

John’s sneer faltered for a split second, his eyes flicking to Matilda’s phone as if weighing the consequences of her threat. "You think I’m scared of you? Leave now, or I’ll make sure you never work again." His hands clenched into fists at his sides, but there was a flicker of doubt in his eyes, a brief moment where it seemed he wasn’t entirely sure what to do next.

Matilda smiled coolly. "Keep it up, Mr. Smith. More evidence for us to bury you."

Everyone knew the Smiths cared most about their reputation and With those words, John released my hair.

Relief washed over me as I stood up straight, eyes flickering between John and Matilda. I stared at the woman, overwhelmed with gratitude. This stranger, who owed me nothing, was helping me.

"Thank you!" I sighed, my voice shaking. She smiled back at me, "We women have to stick together don't we" she said winking at me and my smile grew wider.

I turned back to John, noticing his surrender, I knew this wouldn't last long and the moment Matilda and her phone left, I was done for. 

My eyes shifted to the papers on the bed. I had to seize this opportunity to get John to sign them. I rushed over, picking them up quickly. "Sign this, John," I said, thrusting the papers toward him.

John’s jaw clenched, eyes darting between the cold paper in my hands and Matilda’s camera.

"I don’t have a pen," he muttered, shaking his head.

"I do!" Matilda interjected, rifling through her bag for a pen.

Was she really just a girl's girl? I wondered as I took the pen from her and handed it to John.

"Now sign it," I said, feeling a surge of confidence.

John took the pen and papers, placing them on the bedside table.

"Are you sure about this, Sophia?" he asked, his voice dripping with disdain as he scrawled his signature. "Don’t forget, you’re a poor orphan who has nothing. You need me. Everything you have, I gave to you."

Normally, his words would’ve struck fear in me, but not now. Now, I knew the truth, and I couldn’t help but smile.

I let out a small chuckle, which made John snap up, his eyes narrowing as he glared at me. "Why are you smiling?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

I shook my head, a calm lie escaping my lips. "Nothing," I said, though my grin only grew wider. "Just give me the papers."

John’s eyes narrowed suspiciously, but he stood straight and handed them to me. I stepped forward, snatching the signed papers from his hands and holding them close to my chest.

Now that I was finally free, my confidence grew. "I’m not going to lose anything, John," I said, my voice steady, a wide smile spreading across my face. "You and your shameless family are the ones who will lose everything."

As the words left my mouth, I saw his eyes darken with rage. His veins bulged as he clenched his fists, but his gaze flicked to Matilda’s camera—the only thing keeping him in check.

"What the hell are you talking about?" He wondered aloud.

"I know everything, John," I continued, taking a step back, my voice growing stronger. "The lies your family has been telling... I know it all. The houses, the company, everything you own. It all belongs to me."

A surge of pride filled me as the words left my mouth.

After my father’s death four years ago, I had been taken in by the Smiths. I was young, naive, and vulnerable, and they had lied to me. They told me my father left nothing behind and that marrying John was my only hope. 

For years, I had believed them. But thanks to my father’s lawyer, who had recently reached out, I knew better now.

John’s fists tightened until his knuckles were stark white, but his gaze darted between me and the camera, the anger in his eyes mingling with something darker—fear. 

He took a step forward, then hesitated, his gaze locked on Matilda’s phone and for a moment, he looked almost... defeated. "You bitch," he spat.

"Call me whatever you want," I said, my eyes never leaving his. "It won’t stop me from taking everything back." 

"I promise you, John," I said, my voice firm. "I will take everything my father owns, and I’ll make you and your family pay for every year I suffered in your hands."