SophiaThe dock looms ahead, bathed in the glow of scattered floodlights. The scent of salt and gasoline hangs thick in the air, blending with the distant hum of cargo ships cutting through the dark waters. The entire place is crawling with Nathan’s men—armed, efficient, and ready.Nathan knew we were coming.I feel it in my bones, the undeniable certainty that we’ve walked into something more than just a weapons smuggling operation. He isn’t just moving product—he’s making a statement.And if we don’t act fast, it’s going to be in blood.Alex crouches beside me behind the stack of shipping containers, his eyes scanning the dock’s layout. “We count at least fifteen guards patrolling, plus whoever is inside.”Bellion’s voice is calm in our earpieces. “Your window is closing. If you’re making a move, it has to be now.”I exhale slowly, gripping my gun tighter. We’re outnumbered, but we’ve never let that stop us before.“We split up,” I say, my voice low but firm. “Alex, you take the eas
SophiaNathan’s smirk tightens as his finger presses down on the detonator.The blinking red lights surrounding the warehouse pulse in unison, their glow reflecting in his cold, calculating eyes.He’s baiting us.Nathan Carter doesn’t set off explosives without an audience.And we’re the ones playing right into his hands.Alex stiffens beside me, his gun steady in his grip. His muscles are taut, his stance predatory. He’s waiting for the right moment to strike. But I know Nathan better than that.Nathan isn’t reckless.He doesn’t bluff.And right now, the only thing keeping us alive is the fact that he still wants something.Nathan tilts his head slightly, amusement flickering across his face. “You seem awfully calm for someone about to watch everything they love burn.”I don’t rise to the bait.Because that’s exactly what he wants.I take a slow step forward. “If you were going to kill us, you would have done it already.”His fingers flex around the detonator, but his smirk doesn’t f
SophiaThe moment the countdown stopped, the air in the warehouse shifted. Silence stretched, thick and unyielding, as if the universe itself had paused, waiting to see what would happen next.Nathan stood motionless, his smirk still lingering, but something flickered in his eyes—something close to frustration. He hadn’t planned for this. He hadn’t expected me to win.For the first time in this game we'd played, I saw the cracks in his perfect control.Alex still had the gun pressed to Nathan's temple, his breath steady, his grip tight. I could see the math in his eyes—whether killing Nathan here, now, would subtract from or add to our problems.I already knew the answer.It wouldn't be enough.It had taken Nathan years to construct his empire, ringing the city with his power like an impenetrable fist. Assassinating him would only make him a martyr to the citizens who still remained faithful to him.We had to dismantle him piece by piece.Destroy him in a way he could never recover fr
SophiaCity lights streaked across the car window, neon smudges against the black ink of night. The hum of the engine filled the silence between us, thick with all we had not said and tension that refused to disperse.Nathan had lost.But why did it seem like we were still caught up in his game?I curled my fingers around the detonator, its smooth edges cold in my hand. Its power should have been satisfying. The way Nathan's smirk had faltered, the way his shoulders had stiffened when he'd realized I'd outmaneuvered him.But his parting words gave me hesitation."You think you've won?"Alex was beside me, his form coiled in repressed anger, his amber eyes fixed ahead. His knuckles were white on his knee, his fingers twitching as though he was struggling not to pull a gun on the air itself.I exhaled slowly. "Say it."His head moved slightly, his jaw tight. "Say what?""That you think I should have let you kill him."Alex's mouth opened, then closed again. He inhaled through his nostri
SophiaI barely slept.Chloe's voice lingered in my mind like a dirge. Not the threat, but the words. Not the implication—that it was going to happen. But the finality of it."Tyler's going to steal something from you. This time, it's personal."She'd smiled when she spoke. Not with menace—but at last.And that frightened me.I sat on the edge of the bed, my fingers tapping a restless rhythm against my knee. The city outside the hotel window was already awake, the skyline burning with streaks of early morning light.Alex remained sleeping on the couch, his shirt unlatched at the collar, his face serene in a way that did not usually happen when he was awake. He had remained sitting with me for the majority of the night, observing, waiting—aware I would never reveal to him what was really bothering me.Because I had no idea how to tell him.For the first time since this war began, I wasn't sure I was prepared for what lay ahead.Nathan's always played a game of power, a game of dominati
SophiaThe orphanage retained the scent of smoke. It clung to the walls, to the furniture, to the air that I inhaled, like a reminder of what had happened.I stood in the remains of what had been the children's library, my fists clenched at my hips. The bookshelves were burnt half-way, some scattered on the floor, their cracked and blackened spines gleaming. Ash swirled in the sun through the shattered windows, coating the desecrated remains of the world I'd built for them.For them.And Nathan had laid waste to it.I gasped hard through my nose, trying to suppress the anger raging hotter than the fire that had nearly consumed this structure.Behind me, Mrs. Peterson crossed her arms, her voice trembling with barely contained rage. "They could have died, Sophia. If we hadn't smelled the smoke in time..." Her voice broke. She took a shuddering breath, fighting to continue. "Whoever did this wanted to make a point. And we both know who that is."I already did.I turned around, my face c
SophiaI stood in the doorway of my office, looking out over the city I had fought so long to reclaim. The skyline burned gold in the early evening light, the glass towers creating the illusion of tranquility. But inside me, inside this war I was waging, it was anything but peaceful.Nathan had begun it, setting fire to the orphanage, and I had retaliated. A move for a move. A game of burn and destroy.But now we were past retaliating.This was no longer a battle.It was a reckoning.A gentle knock at the door snapped me out of my trance. Bellion entered, his face as serene as ever, but his eyes sharp. "It's done."I turned to face him, my fists curled around the edge of my desk. "And?"Bellion gave me a black leather folder. "The case is airtight. Offshore accounts. Illegal arms dealings. Bribes. This—" He tapped the folder. "—is what takes Nathan Carter down."I exhaled slowly, heart rate consistent. "Then we run it."Bellion hesitated, and that was so out of character that I notice
SophiaI leaned against the city skyline from the penthouse window, my hand clenched around the stem of a wine glass. The amber liquid inside didn't much ripple, but my mind was far from still. The battle between Nathan and me had grown more powerful than business, more powerful than revenge. It was personal now.Bellion's voice echoed in my head. "Chloe's been exposed. Nathan hasn't moved yet."That was the problem.Nathan never remained still.I looked over at Alex, who was sitting on the couch, watching me. His suit jacket draped over the arm of the couch, his white shirt sleeves rolled up as he sipped a drink. He was just as tired as I was."He's plotting something," I said finally.Alex sighed. "Of course, he is."I set my glass on the table and folded my arms. "Then why do I get the feeling that we're still one step behind?"Alex stared at me with all seriousness. "Because Nathan is most dangerous when he is quiet. He is letting the world destroy Chloe first before he moves."I
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 POV The next morning, sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a golden glow over the bedroom. But the warmth did nothing to ease the icy knot of dread in my stomach. I hadn’t slept. Every time I closed my eyes, Nathan’s words echoed in my mind—Is it mine?—followed by that chilling text. “See you in court, Sophia.” Alex stirred beside me, his arm tightening around my waist as he blinked awake. His dark eyes immediately found mine, concern flickering in them. “You’re still thinking about it,” he murmured, voice rough with sleep. I exhaled shakily. “How can I not?” He sat up, running a hand through his tousled hair before cupping my face. “Listen to me. He has nothing. No proof, no claim, no legal standing. This is just another one of his mind games.” I wanted to believe him but Nathan wasn’t the type to bluff. If he was threatening court, he had a plan. “He’s going to make this ugly,” I whispered. Alex’s jaw tightened. “Then we’ll be uglier.” Before
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
Sophia pov The road to the North District was nearly empty. A trickle of lights passed like distant memories—quiet, flickering, unsure if they still belonged in the world we were trying to fix. Alex drove. One hand on the wheel, the other resting loosely near the gear shift, tapping like a metronome. I sat beside him, staring out the window, watching shadows dance behind the blur of trees and steel. We didn’t speak much. There was too much between us that hadn’t yet settled. Words still raw and tender. But there was something solid between us too—something that hadn’t shattered despite everything. The vault sat buried beneath an old postal annex, long decommissioned, its roof rusted and warped by time. Alex parked a block away. We went the rest on foot, slipping past broken fences and overgrown hedges. No security. No lights. No signs of life. Alex hesitated before we stepped inside, his fingers brushing the concealed gun at his side. I caught his eye, and he gave a subtle nod