All Chapters of After Midnight With Him : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Sophia BennettI stepped out of the taxi into the late morning sun, pressing a few bills into the driver’s hand with a murmur of thanks. The estate stretched before me like something out of a glossy magazine—manicured lawns rolling toward a sprawling colonial mansion, white columns gleaming, gardens blooming in perfect symmetry. It was the kind of home people dreamed about, the kind that whispered old money and unshakeable security. A gift from Ethan to my parents, part of the grand transaction that was supposed to culminate in our wedding. The thought turned my stomach as I walked up the wide stone path, my heels clicking against the pavement like a countdown to confrontation.I had expected shouting the moment I crossed the threshold—my father’s booming voice demanding explanations, my mother fluttering around with her practiced concern that never quite reached her eyes. Instead, the house was eerily quiet. I pushed open the heavy front door and stepped into the familiar foyer, the

Sophia's POVFor several seconds, nobody moved. Nobody spoke. The entire boutique stood frozen after Ethan's shocking declaration."I'm not gay!"The words echoed through the room. Wyatt blinked. Then blinked again. His brows slowly furrowed as if he genuinely thought he had misheard."What did he just say?" Wyatt asked.I sighed heavily. "You heard him correctly."The moment the words left my mouth, chaos erupted."ELEANOR, DON'T—"Too late. Like a woman who had escaped from a psychiatric hospital, Eleanor launched herself across the boutique. One second she was standing beside Wyatt.The next, she was flying toward Ethan.SLAP!The sound echoed through the room.Gasps erupted everywhere. Before Ethan could even react—SLAP!Another one landed. Harder. His head snapped sideways."Eleanor!" I shouted.She ignored me completely."You lying piece of garbage!" she yelled.Another slap followed. Several customers immediately pulled out their phones. Others rushed backward to avoid getting

Sophia Bennett PovSophia stared at her phone. She blinked once. Then twice. The number on the screen refused to change.Ten million dollars. Not ten thousand. Not one hundred thousand. Ten million dollars.For several seconds, her brain simply stopped working. Her mouth fell open slightly as she continued staring at the banking notification."No way," she whispered.The transfer details remained exactly the same. Ten million dollars. The amount sitting in her account was more money than she had ever imagined having in her entire life. A loud scream suddenly echoed through the apartment. Sophia nearly dropped her phone.Eleanor came running from the kitchen while Wyatt appeared from the hallway a second later. Both looked alarmed."What happened?" Eleanor demanded."Are you okay?" Wyatt asked.Sophia simply raised her phone. Neither of them understood."What am I looking at?" Eleanor asked.Without speaking, Sophia handed her the device. The moment Eleanor saw the screen, her eyes wid

Sophia's POVThe drive to Blackwood Enterprises was quieter than I expected.Eleanor kept one hand on the steering wheel while humming softly to the music playing through the speakers. Every now and then, she glanced at me before returning her attention to the road."You've been chewing your lip for the last five minutes," she finally said.I immediately stopped. "I have not.""You have.""I haven't."She laughed. "You do it whenever you're nervous."I looked out of the window, pretending to admire the passing buildings. "I'm not nervous.""Liar."I sighed. "Fine. Maybe a little.""A little?"I nodded. "It's my first day.""And?""I don't want to make a bad impression."Eleanor smiled. "You're smart, hardworking, and too stubborn to quit. You'll be fine.""I hope so.""You will."The city gradually transformed as we drove farther into the financial district.Towering glass buildings stretched toward the morning sky. Luxury cars filled the roads.Men and women dressed in expensive suit

Sophia's POVThe elevator doors slid open with a soft chime. I stepped out, still unable to believe I had survived the first meeting with Damien Blackwood.My pulse had finally slowed, but every few seconds I caught myself replaying the moment our eyes met across his office.He had recognized me. I knew he had. Yet he had looked at me as though we had never met. Maybe that was for the best.Whatever had happened in Room 2808 belonged in the past. It had been one reckless night. One mistake. Nothing more. Nothing less.I tightened my grip around the employee folder Mrs. Reeves had given me."Miss Bennett?"I looked up. A woman in her early thirties approached with a warm smile."I'm Olivia Grant." She extended her hand. "Senior Communications Manager."I shook it. "Sophia.""I know." Her smile widened. "Come on. I'll introduce you to everyone properly."Relief washed through me. Finally, something normal.Olivia led me through the open office where dozens of employees sat behind sleek