Chapter 4

The ballroom glittered like a palace of glass and gold. Chandeliers dripped light onto polished marble floors, and the air was thick with perfume, champagne, and whispers. Sophie felt none of its glamour. Every step beside Jace was heavy, his hand pressed firmly against her back. His touch was steady, commanding, but suffocating. Parang hawak niya ang buong mundo… at ako ang tropeyo na ayaw niyang pakawalan.

“Stay close,” Jace murmured, his voice low, dangerous. “Walang hahawak sa’yo. Not tonight.”

Sophie swallowed hard. His words were meant to protect, but they sounded more like a warning. Bakit parang hindi ko alam kung mas ligtas ako sa kanya… o mas delikado.

Her clutch buzzed again. She didn’t need to look—she already knew. LJV. The shadow who had been watching her for five years. The one who claimed to be her son’s guardian angel. The one who now whispered threats.

'The police didn’t come for the child. They came for the murder weapon in your apartment.'

Her knees weakened. Murder weapon? Closet? She wanted to scream, but the cameras were everywhere, flashing like lightning. She forced a smile, her lips trembling.

Zion rushed back, pale and sweating. “Sophie, anong ginawa mo? The police are asking questions. They said they have evidence.”

“Wala akong kasalanan, Kuya!” Sophie’s voice cracked, desperation spilling out. “Hindi ko alam kung paano napunta ‘yon sa apartment ko. Please, maniwala ka.”

Zion’s gaze flickered nervously between her and Jace. “This could ruin everything. Our family’s name… my business deals…”

Sophie’s chest tightened. Kahit ngayon, iniisip pa rin niya ang sarili niyang negosyo. Hindi man lang siya nag-alala kay Xavi.

Jace’s jaw clenched. “Zion, shut up. This isn’t about your deals. This is about Sophie—and my son.”

The word hung in the air. My son. Sophie’s breath caught. Did he just admit it?

Before she could respond, her clutch buzzed again. She slipped it open under the tablecloth, her heart hammering.

You shouldn’t trust Zion. He’s already selling your secret. Tonight, he told someone about Xavi. Don’t let Jace believe he’s the only one who can protect you. — LJV

Her blood ran cold. Zion? Kuya?

She looked at her brother, his face pale, his hands shaking. Was it true? Had he betrayed her?

“Kuya…” she whispered, her voice breaking. “Sinabi mo ba? Sinabi mo ba tungkol kay Xavi?”

Zion froze, his lips parting, but no words came out.

Jace’s eyes sharpened, suspicion flaring. “What secret?” he demanded, his voice low, dangerous.

Sophie’s heart pounded. Hindi ko puwedeng sabihin. Hindi pa. Kapag nalaman niya, baka mas lalo kaming madurog.

She forced a trembling smile, her voice thin. “It’s nothing. Just… family matters.”

But Jace wasn’t fooled. His hand tightened on her waist, his thumb grazing her ribs like a silent threat. “You’re lying again, Sophie. And I’m going to strip away every lie until there’s nothing left.”

The orchestra swelled, drowning out her racing thoughts. Around them, senators and tycoons laughed, glasses clinking, oblivious to the storm brewing in the shadows. Sophie’s mind screamed. Trap. Bitag. Ako ang daga. At sila ang mga pusa.

She tried to steady her breathing, but every flash of a camera felt like a spotlight on her sins. She caught snippets of conversations—businessmen whispering about Jace’s empire, women gossiping about his cold demeanor. And then, a senator’s wife leaned close, her eyes sharp.

“Ms. Rodriguez, ang ganda ng hikaw mo. Hindi ba’t hindi ‘yan ang Velez diamonds?”

Sophie froze, forcing a polite smile. “Gift po… from a family friend.”

The woman’s gaze lingered, curious, suspicious. Sophie’s stomach twisted. Even strangers can see the cracks. Paano pa si Jace?

Her phone buzzed again, relentless. She glanced down.

You look beautiful in defiance. But don’t forget—every secret has a price. Tonight, someone will pay. — LJV

Her chest tightened. Price? Sino? Ako? Si Xavi?

She wanted to run, but Jace’s grip was iron. He leaned down, his lips brushing her ear. “You’re trembling. Afraid of me… or of someone else?”

“Afraid of everything,” she whispered, her voice breaking.

Zion returned, frantic. “Sophie, the police are outside. They’re insisting. They said they have a warrant.”

Sophie’s knees buckled. “Warrant? For me?”

“Yes,” Zion hissed, his face pale. “They said… murder weapon. Sophie, what did you do?”

“Wala akong ginawa!” she cried, her voice trembling. “Kuya, please, maniwala ka. Hindi ako pumatay!”

Jace’s eyes burned. “Enough. No one touches her. Zion, get my security. If anyone tries to take her, they go through me.”

Her chest heaved, tears pricking her eyes. Paano kung totoo? Paano kung may makita sila sa apartment ko? Paano kung mawala si Xavi sa akin?

She clutched her clutch tighter, her nails digging into the leather. Hindi ako pwedeng bumigay. Hindi ako pwedeng maging mahina. Para kay Xavi… kailangan kong lumaban.

But as Jace’s arm tightened around her waist, Sophie realized the truth: she was no longer just a mother hiding a secret. She was a pawn in a war between shadows—and the Ice King had claimed her as his piece.

Her phone buzzed one last time, the words slicing through her soul:

If you don’t tell him soon, I will. And when I do, it won’t be in whispers. It will be in headlines. — LJV

Her knees weakened. Headlines. Paparazzi. Scandal. Kung lumabas ang lahat… mawawala si Xavi sa akin.

She looked at Jace, his grip possessive, his eyes burning with suspicion. She looked at Zion, pale and trembling. And then, another vibration—this time a photo.

Her breath caught. It was Xavi, awake now, sitting on his bed, holding the wooden horse. His eyes wide, frightened. Behind him, a shadow loomed—faceless, gloved, watching.

The message followed:

Choose quickly, Sophie. The Ice King… or the Shadow. One will claim you. The other will claim your son.

Her scream died in her throat as Jace’s hand tightened, his voice a whisper of steel. “Tell me the truth, Sophie. Or I swear, I’ll tear the world apart to find it.”