CHAPTER THREE.. THE ATTACK

As Sophia stared at the photograph,her breath came in shallow gasps. So this simply means someone has been following her and Theo, right from the time she divorced Adrian and the person has been tracking every single move. But the question that gripped Sophia now was who?  

She pushed the file away as though it burned her fingers, but her mind was still in the images inside the file. She kept pacing round her small kitchen, the weight of the threat was hanging on like a yoke.

Sophia's phone buzzed on the counter. The screen showed a number she did not know. Sophia hesitated,she almost declined it but something in her told her that this call wasn't one she should ignore.

"Hello?" She answered,her voice trembling.

"Sophia Westwood",a deep voice said. "I believe you've received my package, right?". .

Her heart sank."Who is this?".

"That's not important",the man replied, very smoothly."The important thing is that you understand the situation. You thought you could hide the past,your past, didn't you? But you forgot that nothing is hidden under the sun".

Sophia's grip tightened on the phone. “Look if this is about Adrian, let me tell you, I'll fight him with everything I have, including my life".

The voice chuckled and it interrupted her. Adrian? Oh no, this is not about him Remove him from this . This is about you, Sophia. And the lies you've built your life on. You think you're protecting Theo, but how much will that protection matter when the truth comes out?".

Her heart jumped into her chest."What do you want?".

"Cooperation", the voice simply said.I'll keep in touch ".

The line went dead.

Sophia was still standing but frozen,the phone still on her ear.Immediately her instincts started talking to her. It told her to run,grab Theo and disappear again,but something in her refused because that was not the answer. Whoever involved in this  knows too much. Running would not solve anything.

_____

That evening, Sophia made a decision: she needed help. She did not know who to seek help from. She scrolled through her contacts until she found the number she'd avoiding.

"Hi,James," she said when the line connected.

"Is this Sophia?" Oh Sophia, James Hunter's voice was warm,filled with concern. "It's been a while. Longest time. What's going on?".

"James please I need your help" she said, her voice breaking slightly." I think Theo and I are in danger".

James didn't hesitate "Where are you? I'm coming to your house right now".

It was not up to an hour, James arrived at Sophia's apartment. He was a private investigator she'd worked with years ago, back when she was trying to escape Adrian's shadow. Sophia was so excited to see him after many years they've not set eyes on each other.

“Sophia, what's going on"?James asked as he used his eyes to scan her apartment.

She handed him the file without a word. As James flipped through its contents, his expression changed.

"This is not an amateur work," he finally said. "This is serious. Whoever's behind this has enough resources. Wait... Are you sure Adrian isn't involved?"..

"Seriously, I don't know," Sophia said. It doesn't look like what he can do, but he's the only one who has a reason to come after me".

James nodded.

"Then,if it's not Adrian, it could be someone connected to him. A rival,a villain, maybe. Or someone else "

Sophia's head spun. A rival? A villain? The truth is Adria had plenty of enemies in the business, but why would they target her and Theo?

“James," she said, her voice trembling.

"I'm confused right now. What do I do"?

“For now, we'll start by making sure your security is very strong, he said firmly." Cameras for your apartment,a tracker for Theo and I'll have to do a deep investigation into Adrian's recent activities to know if he's the one. If it's not him ,we need to find out who it is, very fast".

It's been days now and the shock that the file came with has not left Sophia. James had installed security measures but they did little to ease her anxiety. Every little noise in the house was like a threat to her.

And then it happened.

Sophia was walking Theo home from school, when she noticed a black Jeep parked across the street. It has been there for two days now and it increased Sophia's anxiety.

"Come on, darling," she said, increasing the pace.

As they approached their building,the Jeep's engine came to life. She immediately dragged Theo inside, slamming the door behind them.

"Mum, what's wrong"? Theo asked,his eyes filled with concern.

“Nothing, baby" she said, forcing a smile. "Go to your room and undress, okay? I'll be there in a minute".

Theo hesitated but obeyed.

As soon as Theo entered his room, Sophia grabbed her phone and called James

"James there's a car that has been parked outside for two days now and I think they're watching us".

"Please hold on, I'm on my way" James said.

But before he could arrive, a knock came. It was three sharp raps at the door which made her blood run cold.

"Who is at the door? " she called, her voice barely above a whisper.

"It's somebody" a man's voice said. Sophia frowned and looked confused.

Sophia's heart pounded as she opened the door. She had not yet opened the door completely when a hand that is gloved shot through the gap and violently pushed the door open. Sophia shouted,stumbled as the man stepped inside, with a woman. To his greatest surprise it was Adria and his mother.

She could not believe her eyes. How on earth did Adria trace her house? She was speechless for some seconds.

“Where's the boy?" Andria asked " Sophia panicked as she reached out for anything she could use as a weapon. She finally laid her hands on a lamp and threw it with all her might. Adria staggered but did not fall.

"Stay away from my son," she shouted.  

But before she could strike again, Victoria, Adrian’s mother landed a slap on her face, held her and pinned her against the wall.

“You think you can hide from us?" She hissed."The truth will always come out, Sophia".  

Just then, Theo came out of the room. He watched what was happening for a moment then did something crazy.