AlexShe didn't let me go. Not right away.And I didn't ask her to.Her heartbeat thudded against my chest, steady now—like the system inside her had come to terms with the world outside of her. Or maybe it was the other way around. Either way, Sophia's body leaned into mine not as if she were falling apart, but as if she had finally stood.I'd had broken people before. I'd pulled people back from dying in blood and flames. But this? This wasn't the same.This was a girl who'd died in pieces, a thousand shattered fragments of her, to have one breath for herself, alone.And in that breath—I fell harder.She looked at me, lashes heavy, that spark of after-sync light still flickering behind her eyes."How long was I asleep?" she asked.Long enough that Bellion became agitated and threatened to boil the entire system," I told her, sweeping a lock of hair out of her face.She snorted something that might have been a laugh. "He still around?""Yeah. Glowering in the corner like a paranoid g
SophiaWe ran.Not like we used to, with fear chewing at our ankles and the past choking our airways... but with purpose.The tunnel went down, curved and ancient, rusted metal arches vaulting overhead like the skeleton of some long-dead giant. The air was colder here. Damp with memory. Each step echoed too loudly, as if we were already dead.But I wasn't dying here.Not again.Alex brushed against my shoulder as we swung around a tight curve, squeezing under a low-slung pipe. The emergency rig puffed behind us, rolling on automatic tracks with pods secured inside. Bellion had calibrated it to my bio-readings, it would follow me anywhere.Good.Because I wasn't going to stop.Not until they were safe.Alex reached forward and slapped the override on the next gate passage, and it buzzed in rage before sliding open. His jaw was clamped shut again. That look he has when something inside of him is breaking and he doesn't want anyone to see it.Too late.I saw it.Each crack. Each falter.
AlexShe slept in my arms.That never used to happen.Not when she'd wake with fists bunched and lungs half to shout. Not when every creak of metal was danger and every nightmare ended in blood.Now, though?Now Sophia burrowed into me like I was something secure.I wasn't.Not exactly.But I'd die trying to be.The fire from earlier had burned low, soft coals glowing under a ring of stones we’d found in the clearing. Lina was still curled beside the rig, breathing even. For now, the world was quiet.Too quiet.I kept my eyes on the treeline, but my thoughts stayed tangled in her.She spasmed in her sleep, forehead creasing. I stroked her hair. Wet with perspiration, matted from the run. But still soft. Still hers.God, how she'd kissed me before.It hadn't been a kiss.It had been surrender.Not to me.To hope.I had no idea how much I'd needed it.Something rustled at the edge of the clearing. My hand went to my blade, slow, silent. But it was only a fox, limping, half-starved. It s
SophiaThe ridge fell away from us as we traveled further into the forest.It was as if I was leaving behind a piece of myself that I had not yet become. A piece that maybe would never have the chance to be if we didn't move quicker, smarter. If we didn't succeed.Alex led us down a ravine lined with moss and fog. Lina sat silently on the rig, her small hands grasping the frame as if she understood the world could break at any second. Maybe she did. Maybe she always had.I had no idea what we were going towards.But I knew what we were leaving behind.Ashes.And maybe that was enough for now.Following another mile, we encountered a narrow path branching off to the left, almost covered by bushes. Alex pulled up, looking at it."I recognize this path," he said. "Bellion told me about an old safehouse out here. Abandoned, off-grid, analog through and through. If it exists in one piece.""It's ours," I finished.He nodded. "We go subterranean. Reconstitute. And call out."I glanced over
SophiaThe note was short.A lone digit. Four figures.But it might have been thunder.I scowled at the crackling radio, my heart racing so violently it was a countdown. The air inside the cabin stirred. As if the woods outside sensed that something had changed."They heard us," I whispered again, this time almost to myself.Alex nodded once, his hand still light on my wrist. "Someone on the board. Someone still alive."I didn't answer. My eyes were on Lina, who hadn't stirred, still huddled on the floor in the blanket like a shadow pretending to be a child. My heart skipped a beat.There was a war coming. And now that someone on the inside had responded, it wasn’t just going to be fought with guns and secrets.It would be fought with truth.And truth always demands sacrifice.Alex turned back to the transmitter, fingers working with tense precision. “I’m gonna send a cipher. If they’re listening, they’ll know it’s me.”“You’re sure it’s safe?”“I’m sure it’s necessary.”I observed hi
SophiaThe cabin felt smaller than it previously had.It wasn't just the walls closing in. It was the weight of his words—"We expose him tomorrow"—and the sound of Nathan on the radio, painting me as a saboteur. Every shadow was more pronounced, every breath harder.I woke up before dawn again, the cold wooden floorboards beneath my feet. Lina was still asleep on the worn rug, curled up in a ball as if she could wish herself away. I walked outside silently. The forest was wet—dew droplets on every leaf, the world trembling with possibility.I clamped my hand across my stomach as a second wave of nausea washed over me. The pregnancy was still a secret that Alex and I shared, and I hated how it seemed to grow with every passing day. Fatigue engulfed me like a blanket that I couldn't shake; my body no longer belonged just to Sophia.I didn't say that fear to Alex yet. I wrapped my arms around myself as wind blew across my shoulders and stared at the mist.A stick snapped behind me. I tur
AlexAs the sun dipped below the ridge, the entire forest was holding its breath. The news was out. The world had seen it.We waited now.We didn't say much that evening. I watched Sophia sitting against the rig's weathered hull, legs outstretched, one hand resting low on her belly as if a secret. She wasn't conscious that she did this. As if her body already knew there was something, someone... growing inside her.God.I hadn't made up my mind what to do with that information.Every time I looked at her, I saw the woman who might bring down empires. And now, I also saw what weight she carried. Not of blood or of lineage. But of the life we might have lived.And I wasn't ready for it.Not because I didn't want it.Because I wasn't sure that I deserved it.Sophia looked up, noticing me staring at her. "You okay?" she asked, her voice cheerful, but there was tension brewing just below the surface, like a note sustained too long.I nodded. "Just thinking."She cocked an eyebrow. "Dangero
SophiaWe sat beside the fire hours after it went out.It was now mere embers, burning softly, as silently as the anger I'd yet to shed.Lina was tightly swaddled under Alex's jacket, breathing even but shallowly, as if she listened in her sleep. Alex remained beside her, a guarding hand on the small of her back. He did not talk. He had not said much since Chloe's smile lit the headlines like a spent sun.I could not tell if it was pressure or peace.Either likely.I rested my elbows on the earth, steadying myself as the pre-dawn chill crept across the clearing. Less than twenty-four hours. Less than twenty-four hours since I'd put my sister's destruction in front of every viewer in the country.And already, I could feel the shift.Not victory.Not yet.But momentum.Julian sent word last night—coded, in a phony headline about crop futures. "Shareholder momentum is shifting. Carter board breaks. Keep pressure."I didn't reply.I couldn't.Because while the world was finally seeing Nat
Sophia’s POVFor the first time in weeks, the morning was still.No court summons. No press statements. No chaos.Just the golden spill of sunlight across Alex’s bare chest as he slept beside me, one arm tucked under his head, the other curled protectively around my waist. I watched him for a moment, letting myself simply be—no masks, no fear. Just me. Just him.He stirred, eyes blinking open, a soft smile tugging at his lips. “Staring at me again?”“You talk in your sleep,” I teased, brushing a lock of hair off his forehead.He stretched lazily. “Let me guess. I professed my love and undying devotion again?”“You accused me of stealing the covers.”He chuckled, pulling me closer. “Well, did you?”“Absolutely,” I said with a grin, “and I’d do it again.”He rolled on top of me in one swift movement, bracing his weight on his forearms, eyes gleaming with mischief. “Thief.”“Guilty,” I whispered, breath catching as his lips found my collarbone. “But I’d like to plea for leniency.”“Denie
Sophia’s POVBy morning, the world had already taken sides.The news had spread like wildfire. My face was everywhere—headlines questioning my character, my daughter’s paternity, and my so-called lies. The media didn’t care about facts; they fed on scandal. Photos of Lina and Nathan were already being compared by strangers online. Hashtags trended. Conspiracy threads circulated like poison.It wasn’t just my name on the line anymore. It was Lina’s future. Her identity.I stood in front of the mirror in the penthouse bedroom, watching myself as Alex spoke quietly into the phone behind me. I was still wearing yesterday’s clothes, my hair a tangled mess, but none of that mattered. There was a fire in my chest now. An anger I hadn’t known I was capable of.“I don’t care what it costs,” Alex said, his voice low and sharp. “I want a full investigation into Victor’s finances and Chloe’s communications. Backdate it. Dig as far back as you need.”He ended the call and looked at me. “You okay?”
Sophia’s POVThe next morning arrived with a storm in its wake—figuratively and literally. Rain lashed against the windows of the penthouse, a dull gray mist casting a somber hue over the city. It mirrored my mood far too well.Alex had been up since dawn, pacing in his office, fielding calls from his legal team, PR experts, and Mark. I stood in the kitchen, staring into a cup of untouched coffee as Lina played quietly in the living room, her favorite sketchbook resting on her knees.But my mind was far from calm.Julian had promised to send over security footage—something he’d managed to obtain through one of his sources. Apparently, Nathan had been spotted meeting someone suspicious late last night. He hadn’t said who. Not yet.Just as I lifted the cup to my lips, Alex strode into the kitchen, his phone pressed to his ear. He gave me a tight nod before finishing the call and slipping the phone into his pocket.“Julian’s on his way over,” he said, brushing a hand over his jaw. “He sa
Sophia’s POVThe morning of the press conference arrived, and my nerves were a live wire beneath my skin. The media had been relentless since Nathan’s paternity claim went public, dissecting my past, my relationship with Alex, even my pregnancy. Every headline felt like a fresh wound. Alex stood beside me in front of the floor-length mirror in our bedroom, adjusting his tie. His reflection was all sharp angles and barely contained fury, but when his eyes met mine, they softened. “You ready?” he asked, voice low. I inhaled deeply, smoothing my hands over the sleek black dress I’d chosen—elegant, professional, unshakable. “As ready as I’ll ever be.” His fingers brushed my waist, grounding me. “Remember, we control this. Not him.” I nodded, but the weight of what we were about to do pressed down on me. This wasn’t just about refuting Nathan’s lies. It was about exposing him—and Chloe—for the manipulators they were. And Julian had given us the ammunition to do it. **********
Sophia’s POVThe dining room was suffocating. Crystal chandeliers cast a cold, glittering light over the long mahogany table, the same one where I’d endured countless silent meals as a child. The air smelled of roasted lamb and expensive wine, but beneath it all lingered something bitter—resentment, lies, and the unspoken war between us. Nathan sat directly across from me, his sharp jaw clenched, his fingers drumming impatiently against the tablecloth. His dark eyes flicked to mine, and for a second, I saw the same cold calculation that had haunted me since we divorced . Chloe, seated beside him, looked like the cat who got the cream, her lips curled in a smirk as she sipped her wine. My mother, ever the gracious host, gestured for the servers to begin plating the first course. “So,” she began, her voice too bright, “how have things been with the two of you?” I forced a smile, gripping my fork a little too tightly. “Busy, but good.” Alex’s hand found my knee under the tabl
Sophia’s povNathan’s words hung in the air like a blade poised to drop. My breath hitched, my fingers instinctively curling into fists at my sides. Beside me, Alex went rigid, his grip on my waist tightening protectively. "What the hell did you just say?" Alex’s voice was low, dangerous. Nathan didn’t flinch. His dark eyes remained locked on mine, cold and calculating. "You heard me." He took a step closer, his voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "Is it mine?" The accusation was like a slap. My pulse roared in my ears, my stomach twisting with fury. How dare he?I didn’t even think—my hand flew out, the sharp crack of my palm against his cheek echoing in the night air. Nathan barely staggered, but his head snapped to the side, a red mark blooming on his skin. "You disgusting bastard," I hissed. Nathan slowly turned back to face me, his lips curling into a mocking smile. "That’s not an answer." Alex moved before I could, shoving Nathan back hard enough that he stumbl
Sophia’s POVThe dining room was suffocating. Crystal chandeliers cast a cold, glittering light over the long mahogany table, the same one where I’d endured countless silent meals as a child. The air smelled of roasted lamb and expensive wine, but beneath it all lingered something bitter—resentment, lies, and the unspoken war between us. Nathan sat directly across from me, his sharp jaw clenched, his fingers drumming impatiently against the tablecloth. His dark eyes flicked to mine, and for a second, I saw the same cold calculation that had haunted me since we divorced . Chloe, seated beside him, looked like the cat who got the cream, her lips curled in a smirk as she sipped her wine. My mother, ever the gracious host, gestured for the servers to begin plating the first course. “So,” she began, her voice too bright, “how have things been with the two of you?” I forced a smile, gripping my fork a little too tightly. “Busy, but good.” Alex’s hand found my knee under the tabl
Sophia’s pov“That lying ass bastard!” I said with my voice coated with anger. “Hey, calm down.”I turned to see Alex with a glass of vodka and he stood near Julian as he worked.“Why not get this to the police? Nathan and Chleo would have been able to manipulate the board.” I told myself, as I tried to calm down.“And you think they don't have the resources to actually manipulate the police also?” Alex eyebrows went up.“Not with the letter and evidence we have.” Alex said and my phone rang.I picked it up from the table to see Chole’s name on the screen. My heart clenched, hard.“Who is it?” I lookeded to Alex waiting for a response, “Chole.”“Well, what are you waiting for? Pick it up before she suspects something.”I exhaled and then pressed on the green button, bringing the phone close to my ears.“Hello.” I said, my voice was filled with hate.“Ah, sister, that's one way to end the day.” I could hear the sarcasm in her voice.I rolled my eyes, not in the mood to play any stup
SophiaThe morning was too still.Like the air was holding its breath.I was perched on the clinic bed, IV line still leaking cool liquid into my arm. My head ached... not sharp, just dull and constant, like a warning hum before something bigger.I watched the door instead of the clock. I did not know what I was waiting for, maybe a sign that the world was ready to stop spinning. Maybe just for Alex to come in and not look like he was trying to carry everything on his shoulders.He was in the doorway a moment later.Hood pulled back, shirt untucked, eyes bloodshot.He didn't speak for a moment. Just leaned back against the frame like he wasn't sure he should come in or give me space. "Coffee?" he asked finally, raising a metal thermos."God, yes."He came over with it.I took it from him with both hands and had a sip. It was awful. Burnt. Too strong. But it was warm. It was real.Alex pulled the chair close, but didn't sit right away. His fingers drummed on the back. "You good to m