Chapter 6

Savannah stared at Sophie. “What? Don’t tell me you know Sophia too.”

She tilted her head and smiled.

“Miss Young, I heard you used to be an interpreter. But someone ordinary like you wouldn’t have access to someone at the very top of the profession, would you?”

Sophie didn’t rise to the bait.

“Oh, I’m sure Sophia knows exactly who you are. I look forward to seeing you bring her.”

Savannah gave a smug little huff and turned to Adrian.

“Don’t worry. Sophia happens to be in the country right now. I’ll get her to interpret for you personally at tomorrow night’s closing session!”

Adrian smiled. “All right.”

The affection in his smile hurt more than Sophie could bear.

Unwilling to waste another moment with them, she hurried out.

Outside the dining club, night had fully fallen.

Clouds hid the moon, and a bitter wind swept through the streets. Even the bright neon lights looked cold and bleak.

A black Bentley pulled up behind her.

The window slid down, revealing Adrian’s dark eyes.

“Get in.”

Sophie glanced at Savannah, grinning in the passenger seat.

“No, thanks.”

Adrian frowned. “Sophie, it’s late. Do you really have to keep this up out here?”

Savannah clicked her tongue. “Just let her take a cab, Adrian. God, women like her are exhausting.”

She wrapped her hands around his arm and gave it a playful shake.

“Remember that bar we used to go to before I left? Take me there tonight. Please?”

Adrian looked at Sophie. “I’ll send the driver for you.”

The tinted window rose, hiding his face. The Bentley pulled away and disappeared into the night.

The wind left Sophie chilled to the bone.

She took out her phone to call a cab, only to find that the cracked screen wouldn’t turn on.

The phone had finally given out.

Then a drunken voice sounded behind her.

“Hey, isn’t that the woman from the hospital?”

Sophie tensed. Without looking back, she quickened her pace toward the brightly lit dining club.

But the two men caught up and blocked her path.

“It is you!”

The man in the suit was flushed with alcohol.

“Because you wouldn’t sign yesterday, I only got half my money. You bitch. You’re signing tonight.”

He reached for her.

Sophie stepped back. “This is illegal. There are cameras all around here. Even if you force me to sign, it won’t hold up.”

He was too drunk to listen.

“Like I give a fuck! I’ve got plenty of ways to make you sign!”

Sophie stomped on his foot. As he howled in pain, she spun around and ran.

She didn’t dare look back. She just kept running, her breathing growing ragged until she could taste blood in her throat.

She had no idea how long she’d been running when a car pulled up beside her.

She whipped her head around in alarm.

A dark gray Maybach.

Adrian’s car.

The window lowered. Walter, their driver, looked at her frightened face with concern.

“Mrs. Pierce, what happened? Should I call your husband?”

Sophie lowered her eyes.

“No. He’s busy.”

---

Pinecrest Estates was the largest gated community of luxury homes in Harbor City.

The house was dark and empty.

Sophie switched on every light. A warm glow filled the high-ceilinged living room, spreading across the marble floors and carefully chosen furnishings of the home she’d lived in for three years.

It was the first place she’d ever truly called home. She’d chosen every piece with care. Everywhere she looked, she could see the work she’d put into making it theirs.

She’d intended to pack her belongings, but now she didn’t know where to start.

Then the front door opened.

Adrian stepped inside. After taking in the brightly lit house, he found her in the kitchen.

He wrapped his arms around her from behind.

“Aren’t you a little old to be afraid of the dark?”

His clean, crisp scent mingled with that cloying perfume.

Sophie’s stomach turned. She pushed him away.

“Let go before I throw up on you.”

Adrian chuckled. “Morning sickness? But we haven’t slept together lately.”

His tone turned teasing.

“Or is that your way of telling me it’s been too long?”

His hand settled against her lower back, his fingertips stroking her skin. Then he slipped it beneath her shirt and moved higher.

“You pervert!”

Sophie kicked at him hard, but he caught her ankle with ease and gave it a slight tug.

She lost her balance and slammed into his broad chest.

Pain shot through her bruised body, and she gasped.

Adrian frowned and steadied her. “What’s wrong?”

Sophie pushed him away. “None of your business!”

His expression darkened. Without another word, he scooped her up and carried her into the living room, then gently lowered her onto the couch.

“Let go of me!” Sophie struggled against him. “Let go!”

He pinned both her wrists above her head with one hand and lifted her shirt with the other.

Ugly purple bruises covered her skin.

His usually impassive face turned thunderous. For a moment, the anger radiating from him made it hard to breathe.

“Who did this?”

His voice was tight with barely controlled fury.

“Walter said someone was chasing you. Was it them? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Sophie almost laughed. She stared at him, her lips twisting.

“You want to know? Ask your best buddy Savannah. Let her tell you.”

His face darkened further.

“Sophie! Why does everything you say have to be a jab at her? What has she done to make you hate her so much?

“I’ve already told you she’s just a friend. No one is going to take your place as Mrs. Pierce!”

Tears stung Sophie’s eyes. She shoved him away.

“Because I hate her, and I hate you even more! Get out!”

Adrian’s jaw tightened. Holding back his anger, he grabbed his jacket and stormed out.

He made a call as he left.

“Find out who approached my wife tonight.”

---

Sophie hadn’t eaten all day. Her stomach had been growling with hunger, but now she couldn’t bear the thought of food.

She showered and moved into the guest room.

She’d expected to lie awake all night. Instead, she slept deeply.

When she opened her eyes, it was already noon.

Then she froze.

She’d gone to sleep in the guest room. Why was she back in their bed?

She pushed herself up.A tube of ointment sat on the nightstand beside a brand-new, top-of-the-line phone.

For a moment, she didn’t know what to feel.

The new phone lit up.

The caller ID read “Hubby.”

She answered, and Adrian’s voice came through.

“The summit wraps up tonight. There’s a dinner afterward. You’re coming with me.”

She was about to refuse when something occurred to her.

“All right.”

She was curious to see just who Savannah would produce as Sophia Shaw tonight.

Her ready agreement seemed to put Adrian in a good mood.

“Good. I’ll have Walter pick you up this afternoon.”

Then a woman’s voice sounded in the background.

“Wait, Adrian, your wife’s coming too? But you were supposed to be my date!”

Sophie hung up.

She stared down at the screen, then quickly edited Adrian’s contact name.

“Bastard.”