Chapter 2

Sophia pushed the heavy oak door of the mansion open, her heels clacking against the polished marble floor. The grand chandelier above cast a faint, flickering light over the spacious, dimly lit hallway, and a cold draft made her shiver. The house was eerily quiet, far too quiet for such a large estate. No servants bustling around, no voices, just the oppressive silence that echoed through the mansion’s vast rooms and hallways. 

Sophia's eyes narrowed in frustration. She had come with a purpose tonight, and the stillness unnerved her. She knew Raymond was here—he always was when he drank himself into oblivion. The last few weeks had been chaotic, a whirlwind of manipulation and deceit, all orchestrated by her to drive a wedge between Raymond and his wife, Amelia. But this wasn’t how she had pictured things would turn out. She had hoped for drama, perhaps a spectacular argument that would lead to their divorce. Instead, it seemed like Raymond had simply given up. 

She strode further into the mansion, her steps purposeful but silent. As she neared the living room, the faint sound of glass clinking caught her attention. Her heart quickened with a mixture of excitement and irritation. Raymond was here, just as she had suspected.

When she entered the room, she found him slumped on the couch, a nearly empty bottle of whiskey resting on the table beside him. His shirt was unbuttoned, revealing his toned chest, though his usual air of authority and charm was missing. His eyes were half-closed, glazed over, and there was a slump to his shoulders that hinted at the weight of his troubles. The sight made Sophia pause for a moment.

Her irritation flared. This wasn’t what she had wanted. This wasn’t the powerful man she had been drawn to. Instead, he was reduced to this pathetic state. She folded her arms across her chest and let out a sharp breath, her patience wearing thin.

"Oh my goodness," she muttered under her breath, her voice barely above a whisper. "When I decided to tear their marriage apart, this wasn't what I prayed for."

She stood there for a moment, her hands on her hips, glaring at Raymond. The entire plan had been to get him to leave Amelia for her. She had spent months carefully planting seeds of doubt in his mind, fueling his insecurities, and playing the perfect temptress. Yet now that his marriage was on the verge of collapse, all she saw was a broken man, drowning in alcohol. She could barely stand to look at him like this.

Raymond shifted slightly, muttering something unintelligible under his breath. Sophia’s gaze sharpened, her irritation giving way to something darker. She took a step closer, her voice low but dangerous.

"You’re drunk," she hissed, eyeing him with contempt. "And you’d better not mention that wretched ex-wife of yours, or it will be over for both of us."

Her words were sharp, but Raymond didn’t seem to register them. He blinked lazily, his focus drifting in and out. Sophia clenched her jaw, her frustration mounting. She had hoped for more control, more leverage, and instead, she was left with a man who barely knew what day it was.

She stared at him for a moment longer, weighing her options. She had come here tonight expecting something else—maybe an argument, maybe a confrontation—but not this. And yet, as she stood there, she realized there was still a way to get what she wanted, even if it wasn’t the way she had originally planned.

Sophia moved closer, her movements slow and deliberate. Raymond barely reacted, his eyes glazed and unfocused. She reached out, her fingers gently grazing his chest, the warmth of his skin beneath her touch sending a small thrill through her. Her lips parted slightly as she let her hand trail lower, teasingly brushing the edge of his shirt.

"No one’s home," she whispered, her voice barely above a murmur. She bit her lower lip, her eyes flicking over his unbuttoned shirt. "If I ask Raymond for intimacy, he wouldn’t answer me in this state. But now that he’s drunk, I might as well do whatever I want with him tonight."

The thought sent a rush of power through her. Raymond had always been so controlled, so calculating. But now he was vulnerable, at her mercy. She could do whatever she wanted, and he wouldn’t be able to stop her. 

Sophia leaned closer, her breath warm against his neck