Crossing lines

CROSSING LINES

I stood frozen in the hallway, watching the scene unfold.

Adrian’s face was a mask of shock. “Sophia, what are you talking about?” he demanded. “What appointment? What baby?”

Sophia placed a hand gently on her stomach. “The one I told you about. You promised you’d be there for me, Adrian. I came here because I need you right now.”

Adrian’s eyes flicked to me, then back to her. “Sophia, this is not the time. We need to talk privately.”

I crossed my arms. “Don’t stop on my account. I’d love to hear this too.”

Sophia gave me a sad smile. “Evelyn, I’m sorry you’re caught in the middle. I never wanted to hurt you. But Adrian has been so supportive. He’s been coming to my appointments. He’s been there for me when no one else was, and I and the baby can't do anything without him.

“That’s not true,” Adrian said sharply. “Sophia, what are you doing?”

She ignored him and turned to me. “The rumors at the office are getting stronger. People are saying the baby is his. I haven’t denied it. I thought it was better for everyone if the truth came out slowly.”

Adrian’s voice rose. “The truth, what trust. Sophia, stop this right now.”

I felt my chest tighten. “You’re the one spreading the rumors, aren’t you? You’re the one making sure everyone thinks Adrian is The father, I said. 

Sophia’s expression didn’t change. “I’m just not correcting them. There’s a difference.”

Adrian stepped between us. “Enough. Sophia, you need to leave. We will talk tomorrow at the office. Not here.”

Sophia looked at him with wide eyes. “But the appointment 

“I’ll deal with it,” he said firmly. “Go home.”

She gave me one last pitying look before turning and walking away. The door closed behind her with a soft click.

Adrian turned to me. “Evelyn, I swear to you, this is not what it looks like. I don’t know why she’s doing this.”

I laughed bitterly. “You never do, do you? You never see what’s happening right in front of you. The office wasn't enough for you and your mistress; now you brought it home too. Evelyn, honestly, I will explain everything to you. He reached for my arm. “Talk to me. Please. Why did you really resign? Why are you pulling away like this?”

I pulled back. “Because I’m tired of being the shadow in your life, Adrian. I’m tired of watching another woman get the tenderness you never gave me. I’m tired of the rumors; I don't want to be invisible again. " I can figure it out myself without your help or your company, please, Adrian," I replied.

Adrian’s jaw tightened. I will fix this. I'll talk to her tomorrow. I will make it right. I shook my head. It's too late for that.

The next morning at Silverline, Ethan looked exhausted.

“Another two investors backed out overnight,” he said. “They cited ‘personal drama involving Harrison Group.’ Evelyn, this is killing us. If we lose any more funding, we won’t make it next month.”

“I know,” I replied. “I’m working on new pitches. We’ll find other investors.”

Ethan sighed. “I hope so. You’re the best thing that’s happened to this company. Don’t let them break you.”

I worked late that day, drafting new strategies and reaching out to smaller funds. When I finally got home, Adrian was waiting in the living room.

“Evelyn,” he said as soon as I walked in, “I spoke to Sophia today. She denied spreading rumors. But I’m starting to see things differently. She’s only working and I don't see anything bad and that shouldn't be why you resigned right.Tell me the truth. What did you see that made you resign?”

I hesitated. “I saw enough.”

He stepped closer "I'm not losing you like this.”

Before I could respond, my phone rang. It was Ethan.

“Evelyn,” he said, his voice urgent. “We just got a call from a major potential investor. They want a meeting tomorrow. But they also asked about the Harrison rumors. Sophia called them this afternoon. She warned them about ‘unstable leadership’ at Silverline.”

My blood ran cold.

Adrian noticed my expression. “What is it?”

I hung up and looked at him. Nothing I can't handle besides Olivia is just ladies talking.

Adrian’s face hardened. “I’ll stop this. I swear.”

But as I stood there, I wondered if he could.

Because Sophia was playing a game I was only beginning to understand.

And the next move might break everything.