Chapter 24: Echoes Of That Night

Sophia stepped into the guest room, and for a moment, she just stood there, taking it all in. It was stunning—far beyond anything she had ever expected.

The space was massive, larger than her entire apartment, and it was filled with elegance. The walls were painted a soft ivory, complementing the golden accents on the furniture.

A chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a warm, inviting glow.

Her eyes traveled to the enormous bed at the center of the room. It was covered in crisp white sheets, with thick pillows stacked neatly against the tufted headboard.

A soft beige rug spread across the marble floor, adding a cozy touch, and near the window, a plush armchair sat beside a bookshelf filled with hardcovers. Everything about the room spoke of wealth, comfort, and luxury.

Sophia hesitated before stepping fully inside. She had spent her whole life in small, cramped spaces, barely affording the rent.

And now, she was standing in a place that felt like something out of a dream—only it wasn’t a dream. It was real. This was her reality now, even if only for a year.

The sound of footsteps broke her thoughts. She turned to see Emma walking in, carrying a fresh set of towels and a tray with a glass of juice and some light snacks.

Emma, dressed in her crisp uniform, moved with quiet efficiency, placing the towels on a nearby table before turning to Sophia with a warm smile.

"Mr. St. Clair mentioned that you're pregnant," Emma said, her tone gentle. "He asked me to make sure you have everything you need."

Sophia blinked, her breath catching slightly. Julian said that? She wasn’t sure why that simple statement affected her, but it did.

"He did?" she asked, her voice softer than she intended.

Emma nodded. "Yes. He was very clear about it—if there's anything you need, don’t hesitate to ask."

Sophia remained silent for a moment, processing those words. She had expected Julian to treat this like a transaction—a cold, calculated agreement where emotions didn’t factor in.

But now, hearing that he had taken the time to ensure she was comfortable, that she was taken care of, it caught her off guard.

Her fingers unconsciously rested on her stomach. The baby wasn’t real to her yet, not fully. But for Julian to acknowledge it, to make sure she was looked after, made it feel a little more real.

She cleared her throat, trying to push down the unfamiliar feeling rising in her chest. "I... I appreciate that," she said finally.

Emma smiled, her eyes kind. "It's no trouble at all. Just settle in, and if you need anything, ring the service bell."

Sophia watched as Emma left, leaving her alone in the beautiful, overwhelming room. She sat down on the edge of the bed, running her hands over the soft comforter.

Maybe Julian wasn’t as indifferent as she thought.

…..

In the night, Julian knocked lightly on the door before pushing it open. The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of the bedside lamp casting a warm hue over the space.

Sophia sat on the bed, her back resting against the headboard, lost in thought. She had been staring at the ceiling for the past few minutes, trying to make sense of everything that had happened.

She turned her head when she heard the door open. Julian stood there, his tall frame leaning slightly against the doorframe, his hands tucked into his pockets.

“Are you about to sleep?” His voice was calm, but there was something unreadable in his eyes as he watched her.

Sophia shook her head. “Not yet.”

Julian exhaled, then took a few steps into the room. He seemed hesitant for a moment, as if debating whether he should be there at all. Then, he finally spoke.

“Good,” he said, his gaze meeting hers. “I want us to talk.”

Sophia’s fingers instinctively tightened around the edge of the blanket draped over her lap. She wasn’t sure what he wanted to talk about, but the seriousness in his tone made her sit up straighter.

"About what?" she asked carefully.

Julian didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he walked over to the armchair near the window and lowered himself into it, his sharp eyes still locked on her.

“About this arrangement,” he said finally. “And what happens next.”

Julian leaned back in the chair, rubbing his temple with his fingers. A wry smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he exhaled sharply. The room was dimly lit, the soft glow from the bedside lamp casting shadows across his sharp features.

“I don’t even know you that much,” he muttered, shaking his head. “And yet, I proposed a contract marriage to you. I think I might be crazy.”

Sophia, sitting on the edge of the bed, crossed her arms and studied him. There was something almost amusing about how conflicted he looked. She tilted her head slightly, a faint smirk playing on her lips.

“Or…” she said slowly, watching his reaction, “you already have the feeling that I’m carrying your child.”

Julian’s eyes snapped to hers, his expression suddenly unreadable. The air between them grew heavier. The steady ticking of the wall clock was the only sound filling the silence. His fingers tapped idly against the armrest, his gaze locked onto hers as if searching for something.

“Is that what you think?” he finally asked, his voice quieter this time, lacking his usual sharpness.

Sophia shrugged, shifting slightly. “I don’t know. You tell me.”

Julian exhaled through his nose, his jaw tightening for a second. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

“I don’t like uncertainties, Sophia,” he said, his tone laced with controlled frustration. “That’s why I’m going to run a test. Not because I don’t believe you, but because I need to be sure.”

Sophia swallowed, trying to push the emotions threatening the surface. She knew the baby was his,, but hearing him say it like this stung a bit. She simply nodded, not trusting her voice to stay steady.

Julian leaned back against the chair, his gaze locked onto Sophia. A small smirk played on his lips, but his eyes held something deeper—something unreadable. The dim lighting of the room cast soft shadows over his sharp features, making him look even more intense.

“You know,” he started, his voice slow and deliberate, “after that night… I went back to Madam Rachel’s club.”

Sophia’s brows furrowed in confusion. “What?”

“I went looking for you,” Julian admitted, rubbing his jaw as if recalling a memory he didn’t quite understand. “I don’t even know why. Maybe I was curious. Maybe I just wanted answers.” His gaze darkened slightly. “But you were gone.”

Sophia’s heart skipped a beat. She clenched her fingers around the hem of her nightdress, keeping her expression neutral. “I don’t know what you expected,” she said, her voice carefully controlled. “I was never meant to stay there.”

Julian studied her for a long moment before exhaling softly. “That night…” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “I remember everything.”

Sophia’s breath hitched, but she quickly masked it. “And?”

His smirk deepened, but there was a flicker of something softer in his expression. “And it wasn’t something I could easily forget.”

She scoffed, rolling her eyes in an attempt to brush off his words. “I’m sure you’ve had countless nights like that, Julian.”

“Not quite,” he said, tilting his head slightly as if assessing her reaction. “That was different. You were different.”

Sophia looked away, her fingers curling into a fist. She didn’t want to admit it, but she had thought about that night too. More than once. The way his hands had explored her, the way his lips had traced every inch of her skin, the way he had made her forget, just for a little while, all the pain and struggles of her life.

But she wasn’t going to let him know that.

“Well, it meant nothing to me,” she lied, forcing herself to meet his gaze.

Julian raised a brow, as if he didn’t quite believe her. “Is that so?”

“Yes.”

A long silence stretched between them. The air in the room felt heavier, charged with unsaid words and lingering tension.

Julian stood up, rubbing his temple as if this entire conversation was exhausting him. “Get some rest,” he muttered, his tone quieter than before. “We’ll talk more tomorrow.”

As he turned to leave, Sophia hesitated. She watched his broad frame, the way his muscles tensed slightly under his shirt, the way he carried himself with that same air of confidence and control.

Without thinking, she whispered, “You’re not as heartless as I thought ,Julian.”

He paused at the door, his hand resting on the handle. For a moment, something flickered in his eyes—something unguarded. It was gone just as quickly, replaced with that same unreadable expression he always wore.

He glanced back at her, his voice softer than before. “Get some sleep, Sophia.”

Then, without another word, he walked out, closing the door behind him.

Sophia let out a shaky breath, sinking back into the plush pillows. She stared at the ceiling, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts.

Julian St. Clair wasn’t supposed to care.

And yet, for some reason… it felt like he did.