"My stepmother called me home to discuss my marriage to Julian," Sofia said, her voice steady. "I refused."
Liam's eyes snapped up from the file.
"Julian, the love of your life," he muttered, his voice laced with venom. "The one you'd lay down your life for."
His laughter was cold.
"That's you and your family's business, not mine," Liam said, his voice icy. "I don't care anymore."
He gestured toward the door.
"Get out. And you're not allowed to enter my room again."
Sofia's heart shattered into pieces.
Tears streamed down her face.
She felt as if she'd been punched in the gut.
Liam's words cut deeper than any knife.
She turned, fleeing the study.
The door slammed shut behind her.
In the hallway, Sofia crumpled against the wall.
Tears flowed uncontrollably.
She felt lost, alone.
Liam's rejection stung.
Why had she thought he'd care?
As Sofia left Liam's study, closing the door behind her, his composure crumbled.
His heart ached in pain.
He gritted his teeth, rage boiling over.
With a sweep of his arm, he pushed everything off the table - papers, files, his laptop - crashing to the floor.
He grabbed his hair, pulling it in frustration.
His assistant, James, walked in, fright etched on his face.
"Young master, what's wrong?"
Liam's eyes blazed.
"Get out!" he roared.
James retreated, swiftly closing the door.
Liam's fury raged on.
He slammed his fists on the table.
Why did Sofia still affect him?
Why couldn't he shake off the past?
He paced the room, trying to calm down.
But the image of Sofia's tears haunted him.
He stopped in front of the shattered remains of his laptop.
Consequences of his outburst.
Liam took a deep breath.
Regaining control.
He pressed the intercom.
"Jenkins, send someone to clean up this mess."
"Yes, young master."
Sofia collapsed onto her bed, tears streaming down her face. She buried her face in the pillow, sobbing uncontrollably. Her heart felt shattered, broken into a million pieces.
Liam's words echoed in her mind. "I don't care anymore." Each word cut like a knife. She thought she'd moved on, but the pain remained. Raw. Unhealed.
Her body shook with sobs, and she felt so alone, abandoned by the one person that truly loved her.
The door creaked open, and Jenkins entered, concern etched on his face. "Miss Sofia, I brought some tea and - "
"Leave me alone!" Sofia wailed, her voice cracking.
Jenkins hesitated, his eyes filled with compassion. "Shall I send for a doctor, Miss?"
Sofia's cry intensified, and she buried her face deeper into the pillow. "Just leave me!"
Jenkins retreated, closing the door behind him.
Sofia's tears continued, unrelenting. Her heart heavy, crushed.
Sofia's tears paused as her phone vibrated.
The caller ID made her face darken.
"Julian," she hissed, her teeth clenched.
She picked up the phone, her heart trembling with furry as she saw Julian's name flashing on the screen. For a moment, she hesitated, wondering if she should answer. But something inside her clicked, and she brought the phone to her ear.
"Hello?" Julian's smooth voice oozed through the line, making Sofia's skin crawl.
She remained silent, her teeth clenched in anger. She didn't want to talk to him, didn't want to hear his voice.
"Hello, sweetheart?" Julian repeated, his tone dripping with false affection.
Sofia's eyes rolled, her mind racing with memories of his betrayal. How could he call her sweetheart after what he had done with her stepsister?
"Hey, Sofia, I know you're there," Julian continued, his voice growing more persuasive. "I want to talk to you about what happened between me and Rachel. I'm so sorry, Sofia. I was drugged that day, I lost my mind, and I took advantage of her innocence. I know it's no excuse, but I was ashamed, and that's why I never told you."
Sofia's grip on the phone tightened, her anger boiling over. What a great actor Julian was! He should join the movie industry and stop wasting his talent on her.
"Julian," Sofia said finally, her voice low and menacing. "You're sorry?"
Julian's pause was palpable. "Sofia, please understand - "
"Understand?" Sofia's laughter sent chills down her own spine. "You think apologies will erase what you did with my stepsister?"
The line fell silent, and for a moment, Sofia wondered if Julian had hung up. But then his voice came back, laced with desperation.
"Sofia, I love you. I want us to move forward. Our marriage will secure your family's future, and mine. Don't let Rachel's incident come between us."
Sofia's smile grew colder. "Love me? You don't even know the meaning."
Her words cut deep, and Julian's anger simmered beneath the surface.
"You're still upset about Rachel, aren't you?" he snapped.
Sofia's voice dropped to a whisper. "You have no right to say her name."
The tension between them was palpable, and Sofia knew she had to end the conversation before it escalated further.
"Goodbye, Julian," she said, her voice firm.
The line went dead.
Sofia let out a deep breath, her heart still racing. She knew Julian wouldn't give up easily, but she was determined to stop him.
As she placed the phone on her bedside table, Sofia's thoughts drifted to Liam. how he has been rejecting her and acting indifferently? And what would happen when she finally end the marriage between Julian and her.
The night had just begun, and already, the stakes were rising.
She breathed a sigh and lay down on her bed, the weight of the conversation with Julian still pressing on her mind. Her eyes gazed up at the ceiling, her thoughts racing with memories of Rachel and the pain Julian had caused her.
Sofia's eyelids grew heavy, but sleep evaded her. The sound of Julian's voice, his empty apologies, and his insistence on their marriage made her stomach churn.
She tossed and turned, her mind drifting to Liam. Why had he rejected her? Did he truly not care anymore? The thought stung, and Sofia's eyes welled up with tears.
As she lay there, the silence of the night surrounded her, and Sofia felt utterly alone. The darkness seemed to close in, suffocating her.
Just as she was starting to drift off to sleep, Sofia's phone buzzed again. She hesitated, wondering if it was Julian calling back. But the screen showed Maureen's name.
Sofia's heart lifted, and she answered, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Hey, Maureen."
"Hey, girl! What's going on? You sound down," Maureen asked, concern lacing her voice.
Sofia took a deep breath and let it all out - Julian's call, Liam's rejection, and her own fears.
Maureen listened attentively, offering words of comfort and reassurance.
As they talked, Sofia felt a weight lift off her shoulders. Maybe, just maybe, she wasn't alone after all.
"Thanks, Maureen," Sofia said, her voice filled with gratitude.
"Anytime, sweetheart," Maureen replied. "Now, get some rest. We'll face whatever comes next together."
Sofia smiled, feeling a sense of peace wash over her.
"Can we hang out tomorrow?" Maureen asked, her voice bubbling with excitement.
"Oh, okay," Sofia replied,
ohh yeah, Maureen said happily
Maureen's support warmed Sofia's heart.
"Thanks, Maureen. Just being around you makes me feel better."
"Anytime, sweetheart," Maureen replied. "Now, tomorrow's plans? We can grab brunch, see a movie, or just chill at my place."
Sofia's smile grew. "Sounds perfect. I need a distraction."
"Done!" Maureen exclaimed. "I'll pick you up at the junction by 11?"
"Sounds good," Sofia agreed.
As they finalized their plans, Sofia felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe tomorrow would bring a brighter day.
"Get some rest, Sofia," Maureen said. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Night, Maureen. Thanks for being there."
"Always, sweetheart. Night."
The line went dead, and Sofia settled back into bed, feeling slightly better.
But as she drifted off to sleep, the shadows outside seemed to whisper warnings of the challenges ahead.
Tomorrow would bring its own set of trials.