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Sophia's POV

I can’t stop the whirlwind of emotions spinning through my mind tonight. Yet, despite the turmoil, a small smile creeps onto my face at the thought of seeing Liam.

Hugging my jacket closer, I step out of the car and walk toward his apartment. As my heels click against the pavement, I wonder—does my mother oppose my relationship with Liam because he isn’t as wealthy as the man she’s arranged for me to marry? Or is it because Liam has betrayed me before?

Twice.

If Clara hadn’t caught Liam’s eye, maybe he wouldn’t have cheated on me again. But Clara is nothing more than a scheming vulture, and I’m determined to prove it.

Liam and I love each other. At least, I thought we did. He used to be so passionate, so tender. The love I’d been starved of at home, ever since my family’s status began to crumble, Liam managed to rekindle in me. He made me believe in something real.

When I thought he’d tire of me, he didn’t. He kept coming back. He kept fighting for us. So how could I give up now? Isn’t that what Clara wants? For me to walk away, so she can have him all to herself?

No. Liam is mine.

The night feels eerily quiet as I approach his door. The silence reminds me of how long I spent at the club, lost in thought, before deciding to come here. I’d hoped Liam would meet me there, but he didn’t. I didn’t even drink because I knew I’d want to drive straight to his place if he didn’t show up.

I need him. I need someone to talk to.

If he hadn’t cheated on me with Clara, maybe she would have been that person. But now, Clara is nothing but a traitor. I used to miss her friendship, but forgiveness isn’t on the table anymore.

I’ve been away from home since noon, ever since my mother dropped the bombshell of my engagement. She expected me to leap with joy at the prospect of marrying some billionaire stranger. Instead, I left the house, furious.

How could she think I’d celebrate such news? I’m not a child. I’m a grown woman, capable of making my own decisions.

I step onto the porch and knock on Liam’s door, pulling my hand from my jacket. The chill in the air creeps in as I wait.

No answer.

Maybe he’s still out. But it’s already 11 p.m., hours after he usually finishes work. I’d waited for him at the club until after 10. Where could he be?

I knock again, louder this time, but the silence persists. Frustration bubbles up. Grabbing my phone, I call him. The ringing goes unanswered.

Anger flares inside me. I pound on the door with renewed force, ready to demand answers. Suddenly, it swings open.

“Where the hell have you been?” I start to shout, but he cuts me off.

“Hey, babe,” Liam says, shirtless, pulling me into a quick hug.

Suspicion prickles at the back of my mind. He’d ignored my knocking for minutes, but after my call, here he is—shirtless and acting nonchalant. Something isn’t right.

“Liam?” I say, my voice steady but wary. He leans against the doorframe, blocking my way inside. His avoidance of my gaze sets off every alarm in my head.

“What are you doing here?” he asks with a forced smile. “I was just about to call you.”

My arms cross instinctively over my chest as dread pools in my stomach. I push past him into the apartment, ignoring his protests.

The sight of the scattered clothing on the floor stops me cold. Dresses, heels—items that aren’t mine—are strewn across the living room. My eyes dart to the staircase, the path leading to the bedroom we’d shared so many times before.

“Liam,” I whisper, disbelief choking my voice.

“Wait! Sophia, it’s not what you think!” He rushes to stand in front of me, his hands raised in defense.

Not what I think? The anger I’ve been holding back boils over.

“You call this a misunderstanding?” I shout, shoving him backward. He stumbles onto the sofa. “What the hell do you take me for?!”

I grab the foreign clothing from the floor, throwing each piece at him with every ounce of rage I can muster. This wasn’t supposed to be how tonight went. I was supposed to find comfort in his arms, to feel safe. Instead, I’ve uncovered yet another betrayal.

Liam dodges a pair of heels I hurl at him, but my fury won’t be stopped. I’m shaking with anger and heartbreak when a figure appears at the top of the stairs.

No.

Not her.

“Hello, Sophia,” a familiar voice says.

I turn, and there she is. Clara. Smiling, triumphant, like she’s won some kind of prize.

Tears blur my vision as I glance back at Liam. He doesn’t meet my eyes. The shame written all over his face tells me everything I need to know.

I chose the wrong man. I wasted my time fighting for someone who wasn’t willing to fight for me.

Without a word, I grab my phone from the table and storm out of the apartment. As I step into the cold night, one thought burns in my mind.

If they think they’ve broken me, they’re wrong. I’ll meet this so-called billionaire. And I’ll show Liam and Clara exactly what it means to mess with me.