Chapter 3

Marcus's Beta insisted on moving me out immediately.

"Alpha said living here might mean constant harassment. You'd be safer at his place, and it would put his mind at ease."

I had no choice but to agree. I quickly packed my stuff and left the apartment Lucas had rented for me, leaving behind all our memories.

The day after I moved, Lucas called me.

His guys had grabbed my mom.

When I got there, she was on her knees, desperately bowing her head while Linda sat smugly in Lucas's lap, eyes full of malicious satisfaction.

"Please, Lucas, don't drag Sophia into this. I'll apologize to Miss Linda. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry I shouldn't have hit you. Miss Linda, I'm sorry!"

Linda pouted: "If apologies worked, what would we need cops for? You weren't so nice when you were hitting me and calling me a homewrecker."

"Lucas, I told you Sophia wouldn't leave me alone. First she leaked our intimate videos, then she sent her mom to school to beat me up. I'm really scared to be with you anymore."

"That's not happening."

Lucas held her tighter: "Stop talking like that. I'm handling this for you, aren't I?"

My mom looked at him with such pain in her eyes.

Over the years, since I wanted a future with Lucas, I'd never hidden our relationship from my family. My mom treated this potential son-in-law better than she treated me, her own daughter.

How could he be all over Linda right in front of my mom?

"Mom!"

I rushed over and pulled her up. When I grabbed her hands, I realized she was shaking - whether from anger or fear, I couldn't tell.

"There she is."

Lucas frowned at me: "Didn't expect you to look so sweet on the surface but be so dirty underneath. If you've got beef with me, come at me. Why pick on an innocent girl?"

"I thought you were just a cheater. Didn't know you were stupid too."

My chest was heaving, fists clenched with rage: "Anyone with half a brain would know she's behind all this drama herself!"

"She's just a young girl who doesn't know any better, not like you who's been around the block. You think I'd believe you over her?"

Lucas's harsh put-down made Linda beam with pride.

She deliberately wrapped her arms around Lucas's waist, snuggling into his chest while smirking at me.

"Now, get on your knees and apologize to Linda. Promise you won't bother her again and I'll let your mom go. But if you keep being stubborn, don't blame me for what happens next."

Lucas let go of Linda and leaned toward me.

"Be good and apologize. I'll still let you stay by my side. After all these years, what we had was real."

That's when I finally saw Lucas for who he really was.

Fake as hell and full of himself.

My answer was slapping him across the face: "Why don't you try me and see who's really gonna get nasty here."

That slap shattered all the arrogance on Lucas's face.

He shot up from his chair, fury blazing in his eyes: "Sophia! I've been way too good to you! How dare you hit me?"

"Who do you think you are? I'll hit you if I want to. And I'm warning you - if you've got problems with me, come at me. Touch my family again and I won't let it slide."

I grabbed my mom and we walked out.

Lucas stood there stunned.

Someone who'd always been obedient suddenly changing completely was hard for him to accept. Not being able to threaten or control me anymore made him feel out of control.

That feeling pissed him off, so late that night he sent his buddies to test me.