CHAPTER 2

Twenty Years Later.

The water never really left her, not completely not even after twenty years.

Sophia stood under the shower, eyes closed counting.

One...Two...Three...

The water hit her skin in controlled streams, neither too strong nor too much. The temperature was precise, lukewarm, and safe.

Four...Five...Six...

Her fingers curled slightly against the cold marble wall as her breathing stayed even and measured.

Seven...Eight...Nine...

The pressure shifted but it was enough to bear. Her eyes snapped open. The water hits harder now, her body reacting instantly.

Her chest tightened. Her lungs are refusing to open. The walls felt like it was closing in getting smaller. The sound of the water grew louder too loud like it was covering her ear, her head her throat.....

Sophia jerked back, slamming the shower shut. She stood there for a moment unmoving the quiet dripping of water her pulse loud in her ears.

Then slowly and very carefully she inhaled. It was twenty years past and she still counted seconds to survive underwater.

~~~

"Good morning, Miss Ashford."

She didn't look up as she stepped into her dressing room already wrapped in a will robe. Her movements were precise every step practiced to perfection.

Mr Thomas stood near the door tablet in hand his posture straight and his expression calm. He had aged, his hair now had more silver than black, lines etched deeper into his face but his eyes remained the same, loyal.

The only constant in a world Sophia no longer trusted.

"Schedule," she said her voice calm and controlled.

"Board meeting at nine. Acquisition call at elven. Lunch meeting cancelled as you requested. And..." he paused briefly watching her.

Sophia reached for a black dress, it had sharp lines and looked powerful.

"And?" She prompted.

"A call came from Detective Chen. He said it was urgent."

Sophia's hand stilled for half a second then she continued what she was doing.

"Put him through in ten minutes."

"Yes, Miss Ashford."

~~~

The penthouse overlooked the city like a throne above chaos. Glass walls with steel edges, everything looking clean and under control. No softness or cluttering, nothing to show signs of weakness.

Sophia stepped out in her heels clicking against marbles her reflection following her on every surface. It looked perfect exactly how she designed it.

"Detective." She didn't waste time on greetings.

Marcus Chen's voice came through the speaker low and steady but there was something beneath it.

"We need to talk."

Sophia's lips curved slightly. "Then talk."

"We confirmed it."

The words landed softly but they hit hard. Sophia didn't move or blink.

"What exactly did you confirm?" She said calmly.

The pause this time was quite long.

"The brake lines were cut, Sophia."

The silence was heavy and deadly.

"Your parents didn't die in an accident," he continued. "It was staged."

Something cold unfurled in her chest, something worse than shock and grief.

"I know," she said quietly.

Marcus exhaled on the other end.

"I knew you would know."

"Do you have an idea of who could be behind it?"

"Not yet. But we're close."

After twenty years, they were close to getting evidence on the accident.

Sophia turned slowly her gaze drifting from the floor to the ceiling glass windows. Rain tapped lightly against the surface looking innocent.

"Then don't call me again until you do," she said and ended the call.

"Miss Ashford?" Mr Thomas's voice broke the silence.

"Prepare the car", she said without turning.

" Yes ma'am." Just then he hesitated slightly. "There's something else."

Her eyes narrowed faintly. "Say it."

"Your grandfather called."

That made her turn slowly. "What does he want?"

Mr Thomas met her gaze. "There's a family gathering tonight."

Sophia's lips pressed into thin lines. "I don't attend family gatherings."

"He said it wasn't optional, he insisted."

Something dark flickered in her eyes. "On what grounds?"

Mr Thomas hesitated again.

"He said it concerns your inheritance."

There it was. It was always about money, power, and control.

Sophia walked towards the window watching the rain more closely now. Each drop sliding down the glass like tears just like the chandelier that night.

"They stink they can still control me," she murmured.

Mr Thomas said nothing because they both knew the family never stopped trying.

"Fine," she said finally. Her voice was soft but deadly.

"I'll go."

~~~

Hours later, the estate stood exactly as she remembered it. Looking unchanged and unchanged like time had frozen around it.

The gates opened slowly looking welcoming and yet threatening.

Sophia stepped out of the car, the air filled with memories.

~~~

Inside the laughter was already too loud, fake, and very familiar. Every step she took echoed through marble halls lined with ghosts until she entered the dining room.

Silence fell instantly, every eye turning towards her.

Uncle Richard, Aunt Melissa, and Sophie all looked older now but weren't different in any way.

At the head of the table sat her grandfather.

"Sophia," he said with authority. "Sit."

She didn't move immediately and didn't break eye contact.

Then slowly she walked forward and took her seat at the same place, at the same spot from that night.

"Let's not waste our time," she said coolly.

"You never do," her grandfather replied. There was a pause then, "We've made a decision."

Sophia leaned back slightly uninterested. "About what?"

Her grandfather's gaze now serious responded. "Your future."

The room went still.

" You've built your empire," he continued. "You've proven yourself capable but you are still an Ashford."

Sophia's lips curved faintly she looked dangerous. "And?"

His next words were like a blade cutting through ice. "You'll be meeting your future husband at the next family dinner."

There was total absolute silence then suddenly there was laughter, everyone turned to look at Sophia.

"You're joking," she said. No one else was laughing.

Her gaze moved slowly across the table.

Uncle Richard was watching her. Aunt Melissa seemed to be smiling. Sophie was... practically glowing.

'Oh,' she thought, ' this wasn't a suggestion, it was planned, it was atrap.'

Sophia leaned forward slightly her eyes dark her voice quieter now but far more dangerous.

"You think," she said slowly, "that after everything..." her fingers tapped once against the table. "You still get to decide my life?"

No one spoke because they didn't need to. Their silence said it all.

Sophia exhaled slowly and smiled.

"Fine," she said. The word dropped like a promise.

"I'll come to your dinner." Her smile widened.

Uncle Richard relaxed slightly. Aunt Melissa looked satisfied.

'They thought they had won. Nahhhhh' Sophia thought to herself.

She rose smoothly from her seat.

"But let me make one thing very clear to you," she added, her voice cutting through the silence.

"If I ever get married..." She paused eyes turning to Sophie then back to the table. "It will be on my terms."

She turned and walked out heels echoing. Behind her the silence was shattered into whispers, words about plans, assumption and mistakes to avoid.

~~~

Outside the rain had started again. Sophia stepped into it without flinching, her mind racing.

'A husband?? They wanted to give her one? ' she thought in rage.

'No if she was going to play their games then it would be on her terms, she would choose her husband herself, and when she did they wouldn't see it coming.'