MasukSOPHIA
I was never the kind of person to rush decisions. I liked weighing every angle, mapping the pros and cons, and giving myself breathing room. But right now, time wasn’t a luxury.
Christopher wasn’t going to give me any. He leaned back against the desk, arms folded, watching me like he already knew the ending of the story.
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ADRIANI woke up before the sun, but for once, it wasn’t tension that dragged me out of sleep. It was the peace and quiet. For the next few seconds, I stayed still, staring at the ceiling and letting it all settle.Today.The word didn’t come with panic. No strategy followed it. No contingency plans lined up behind it like soldiers waiting for orders.Just… today.I turned my head slightly, and a smile curved my lips. Sophia was still asleep beside me, her face turned toward my shoulder, her breathing slow and even. One hand rested loosely over my chest, like she’d fallen asleep making sure I was still there.My hand moved before I could think, covering hers. My thumb brushed lightly over her knuckles, and something in my chest tightened, like that internal hole was finally full.A few months ago, I would’ve ruined this peace. I would’ve overthought it, tried to control it, and even questioned it until it lost whatever softness it had. Now, I just held it carefully because it mattered
SOPHIAThe house was quieter than I remembered it ever being. It wasn’t empty or lonely, just peaceful.Sunlight streamed in through the curtains in soft golden streaks, settling over the living room as if it belonged here now. Like it always should have.I stood by the doorway for a moment, one hand resting instinctively over my stomach, as I took it all in. It still surprised me sometimes. How calm things could feel after so much chaos. How something that once felt fragile could become steady.“Mom!”Ollie’s voice broke through my thoughts, followed by the rapid patter of his feet across the floor. He skidded to a stop in front of me, slightly out of breath, while holding up a piece of paper like i
SOPHIAThe office felt different lately. Lighter, somehow.Sunlight poured through the tall windows behind my desk, catching on fabric swatches pinned to the board and the fresh arrangement Floral had insisted on placing near the door. White lilies and pale pink roses.“For new beginnings,” she’d said with a wink.Floral herself was perched on the edge of the chair across from me now, legs crossed, her eyes sparkling in a way that told me she had been waiting to interrogate me properly.“You’re glowing,” she announced for the third time.“I am not.” I rolled my eyes, even though a smile tugged at my lips.
SOPHIAI woke up to the sound of whispering. It was softer than usual, low and deliberate, like someone was sharing secrets. I kept my eyes closed for a moment, listening.“…and you don’t chew on electrical cords,” Adrian was saying, his voice serious.A quiet giggle followed. I cracked one eye open and saw Adrian sitting cross-legged on the floor beside the bed. Ollie was tucked under his arm like a partner in crime.Both of them were facing my stomach with serious expressions. I almost laughed. Were they seriously talking to our baby?“Are you giving the baby rules already?” I mumbled.“Yes.” Adrian looked up, completely unapologetic.
ADRIANI woke before the sun. For a few seconds, I didn’t know why my chest felt so full until I felt Sophia. She was curled against my side, one hand tucked under her cheek, the other resting loosely over her stomach.My hand was already there, too. Like I’d fallen asleep guarding something. Maybe because I was.Pregnant.The word still didn’t feel real. It felt too big for the quiet settling into the room. I shifted carefully, propping myself up on one elbow so I could look at her.She looked peaceful in her sleep. No tension or my parents’ shadows hanging over us. My chest tightened.Yesterday, I walked away from the famil
SOPHIAThe drive to Adrian’s parents’ house felt longer than it should have. I sat in the passenger seat with my hands folded tightly in my lap, watching the city blur past the window while something restless twisted low in my stomach—and it had nothing to do with nausea.Adrian hadn’t said much since we left the apartment. His jaw was tight, his focus locked on the road in a way that told me he was already bracing for impact.“My mother called three days ago,” he muttered finally. He hadn’t told me why we were heading to his parents’ house, and I hadn’t asked. “Said we need to ‘handle this as a family.’”Handle this.As if Christopher’s arrest were an inc
ADRIANIt hadn’t been long since I last saw Mom. But standing there in the dim tunnel light, I refused to believe this was the same woman I’d sat across from at dinner a couple of weeks ago.
ADRIANI came home earlier than usual. The penthouse was quiet except for the low hum of the air conditioning. Ollie was already asleep. His door was cracked, galaxy stars spinning faintly across the ceiling.
ADRIANI didn’t wait for Alex; I drove home myself. Christopher was in my house? I still found that hard to believe, but Sophia’s words echoed in my head. The rest of the ride was a blur. I didn’t remember parking or
SOPHIA“Mommy?”My breath shattered. That voice. I spun around so fast I almost had whiplash. My hair caressed my cheeks, and I let out a shaky breath. Ollie stood before me, hi







