5. False Accusations

On the same night of their divorce, news spread like wildfire across the city of Evermore about the abrupt end of Sophia Smith and Alexander Carter’s one-year marriage.

And none of the rumors were in her favor. Not even one. Everyone was pointing fingers at her. The entire city whispered the same thing. Why would Sophia throw away her marriage to Alexander Carter? He was the heir to the Carter Group of Companies, wealthy, brilliant, and a CEO at such a young age, he was desirable. Exactly what every woman wanted. Not to mention, women lined up for the mere chance to catch his attention.

In all of it, It was easier to blame Sophia than to consider the truth… that a marriage only works when both parties are committed. Something Alexander had failed to do.

But no one saw that. No one even cared. No one wanted to consider her side to the story.

Sophia had nowhere to go. She didn't know how her parents would react, but she doubted they would believe her, just as Alex hadn't. Her phone had been switched off all day, avoiding calls and messages as her mind spiraled.

Still, she clung to a small ray of hope as she drove toward her father’s estate.

Walking through the entrance, her heart pounded at the sight of her parents sitting on the sofa in the brightly lit living room. Her father’s face was stone-cold, his fury barely concealed, while her mother sat beside him, clearly distressed as she rubbed her sweaty palms together, her eyes drifted towards the door at every interval.

As soon as they heard her footsteps, they turned toward her.

Before she could utter a word, Mr. Smith’s voice cut through the heavy air.

“You still dare to step into this house after the disgrace you’ve brought upon us?” His words lashed at her like a whip as he stood, his every movement seething with restrained anger.

Sophia swallowed hard, her pulse quickening. She took a step back, unable to meet her father's furious gaze.

"Please, let's hear her out first—" Her mother began, but Mr. Smith ignored her. He was fuming as he approached Sophia.

Everything happened too fast.

His hand shot out, striking Sophia hard across the face. A searing pain radiated down her body, knocking her off balance. She hit the cold floor with a sharp gasp, her breath coming in short, panicked bursts as she looked up at him with wide eyes.

Never... never in this life had her father raised his hands on her.

Tears burned behind her eyelids, but she refused to let them fall.

Her father was a man known for his clean ethics, a respected judge who had built his entire life on the principles of fairness and integrity, but despite all that he hadn't even given her a chance to explain.

“I was so sure I raised a daughter with dignity,” he said, his voice trembling with rage. “I thought you would never bring shame to this family. But what… infidelity?!”

Sophia’s fingers dug into the carpet as she steadied herself, but she dared not look up. She was ashamed to, but why was she when she hadn't done anything wrong? She couldn't tell.

Perhaps she felt so because fingers have been pointed at her so much that she had resigned into whatever everyone was saying.

But deep down, she knew it wasn't true. None of it was.

"Look what you’ve done," her father continued, striding toward the coffee table and picking up a file. He opened it, pulled out a collection of photographs, and without hesitation, tore them into shreds.

The pieces fluttered in the air before landing in front of her.

"These are everywhere, Sophia. Everywhere!" His voice shook as he tossed the last torn fragment at her. "How could you do this to us?"

Sophia had no idea what the pictures were, but she could already guess. It must be the pictures with her and Finn on the bed.

Who was sharing all these? Her heart felt heavy.

"Darling, please calm down," Her mother whispered, reaching for him.

Mr. Smith shot her a glare so sharp that she immediately recoiled.

"Calm down?" His voice was cold, almost venomous. "We spent years building an image, and now, because of her, everything is ruined."

Sophia remained frozen, sitting on the floor as her world crumbled around her.

The worst part wasn’t the accusations.

It was knowing that her father had believed them so easily.

More than his principles, more than the truth, more than his only child, he cared about his reputation.

Tears welled in her eyes as she forced herself to look at him. "Father…"

"Don't call me that!" He snapped.

A lump lodged in her throat, but she had no choice. If she told him about her pregnancy, maybe, just maybe, he would listen.

Taking a shaky breath, she reached for her bag, pulling out a folded document. Her hands trembled as she extended it toward him.

"I'm pregnant," she finally admitted. "And Alex is the father."

Silence fell over the room.

Complete. Utter. Silence.

For a moment, she thought she saw something shift in his eyes, but it was gone before she could be sure.

He took the document from her hands and unfolded it slowly. His gaze flickered over the words, but instead of softening, his expression hardened.

"What have you done?" His voice was eerily quiet, but the heaviness of his words and tone crushed her.

Sophia stood, desperate to prove this was all a lie, and have her father listen to her, “It’s Alex’s child…”

"How can you be sure?" He interrupted, his tone sharp and accusing.

"We—" She barely got a word out before his hand lifted again.

Her mother gasped and rushed forward. "Jesus! Please, not again!"

She shielded Sophia, and the slap meant for her landed instead on her mother’s face.

Sophia’s breath hitched.

The impact was loud. Too loud she felt it. It was sickening.

Her mother stumbled but held firm, standing between them. Not even budging at all.

The tears in her eyes weren't for the slap, but rather for her daughter who was being accused of something she was certain Sophia had no hand in.

Sophia’s heartbeat thundered in her ears. She stepped back, horrified.

What kind of father would do this?

"You expect us to believe this is Alex's child when you've already been unfaithful?" her father roared.

Sophia's stomach twisted painfully. "That's not true…”

He moved toward her again, but her mother clung to his arm, sinking to her knees, and wrapping her hands around his legs to stop him from moving.

“Get away from me, woman.”

"Please, spare her," She begged. Her shoulders shook as she sobbed into his sleeve.

Sophia's heart shattered into a million pieces.

This wasn’t the father she knew.

Or maybe she had never really known him at all.

He exhaled sharply, squeezing his eyes shut before opening them again. The anger had settled into something colder.

“I am done with you, Sophia,” He declared. “You are no longer my daughter. Get out of my house.”

Her breath caught in her throat.

"Father—"

"Don't call me that," He said again, his voice devoid of emotion. "Get out. Now."

The finality of it struck her harder than any slap ever could.

Her gaze dropped to her mother, who still knelt on the floor. Sophia could see the pain in her eyes, the helplessness the of a woman caught between her husband and her child.

"I'm sorry," Sophia whispered.

Tears slipped down her mother’s face as she mouthed, I believe you.

It wasn’t enough to make her stay.

Sophia reached for her suitcase, gripping the handle so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Without another word, she walked away from the only home she had ever known.

She drove aimlessly through the dark streets, her vision blurred with tears. The city lights blurred past her, but she saw none of them.

Eventually, she found herself in front of a small motel.

She parked and rested her forehead against the steering wheel, sobs wracking her body.

Her husband had abandoned her.

Her father had disowned her.

And now, she was completely alone.

Her phone buzzed in the passenger seat, the screen lighting up with a name she hadn't expected.

Finn.

He called again. And again.

On the fifth attempt, she finally picked up.

"Sophia… Thank God!” His voice was soft, urgent. "I don’t know what’s happening, but I swear I have no idea where those pictures came from. Please, tell me where you are."

She wiped her tears, exhaustion seeping into her bones. "A motel."

"Which one?" He asked immediately, the sound of keys jingling in the background.

She hesitated. "Do you want to make things worse, Finn? If you come here, the rumors will get worse. I just… I need to be alone."

He paused before speaking again. "Staying at a motel isn’t safe, Sophia. Everyone is out for you right now. How about this… maybe book a flight out of Evermore. Stay away until things calm down and you aren't the talk of the city."

Sophia swallowed tightly at his words. She didn't want to run away from the situation, especially when

she knew she wasn't at fault. But then… there was no other option left.

It was the only choice she had left.

Eventually, she had to agree. Finn helped her arrange everything she had to.

And by sunrise, Sophia was gone.

Leaving behind the city that had turned its back on her, carrying only a broken heart… and two lives growing silently within her.