Chapter 16
615 Words
Sofia sat in her study, the soft glow of the desk lamp highlighting the storm brewing in her eyes. Carmen’s confession echoed in her mind, Ethan’s sinister plan laid bare. It wasn’t just about her; it was about control, power, and bending her will to his.
She couldn’t let him win.
Alexander entered, his presence as steady as ever, but Sofia felt the weight of the secrets she carried.
“Long night?” he asked, setting a glass of wine on the table beside her.
“You could say that,” she murmured, her voice betraying none of the turmoil inside.
He studied her for a moment, his gaze probing. “You’ve been tense lately. If this is about the engagement, we can—”
“It’s not,” she interrupted quickly. “I mean, it is, but not in the way you think.”
Alexander leaned against the desk, arms crossed. “Talk to me, Sofia. Whatever it is, we’ll handle it.”
Her heart ached at the sincerity in his voice, but she wasn’t ready to share everything yet. Not until she had a plan.
“I’m just tired,” she said, forcing a small smile. “And there’s so much to do with the gala coming up.”
He didn’t look convinced but nodded. “Then let me take some of that off your plate. You don’t have to do this alone.”
The next morning, Sofia made her way to Ethan’s office. She wasn’t ready for a full confrontation, but she needed to show him that she wasn’t going to back down.
Ethan greeted her with his trademark smirk, leaning back in his chair as if he owned the world.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?” he drawled.
“I came to tell you that your games stop here,” Sofia said, her voice steady.
Ethan chuckled, the sound grating on her nerves. “Games? Sofia, this isn’t a game. It’s strategy. And you, my dear, are a very important piece.”
“You’re delusional if you think I’m going to play along,” she snapped.
Ethan stood, his towering frame casting a shadow over her. “You already are, Sofia. Every step you take, every move you make, is exactly where I want you to be.”
Her fists clenched, but she refused to back down. “Not for long. You underestimate me, Ethan. That’s your first mistake.”
Ethan’s eyes gleamed with amusement. “And yours is thinking you have a choice.”
Back at home, Sofia found solace in Alexander’s presence, though her mind churned with strategies. The longer she stayed quiet, the more Ethan tightened his grip.
“Alexander,” she began hesitantly, “if someone was trying to manipulate you, how would you handle it?”
His brow furrowed. “Depends on the situation. Who’s the manipulator?”
“Just… hypothetically,” she said quickly.
He leaned closer, his hand resting over hers. “Sofia, if there’s something you need to tell me, you can. I’ll protect you.”
Her resolve wavered, but she couldn’t risk dragging him into this—yet. “It’s nothing. Forget I asked.”
Alexander didn’t press, but his concern lingered, evident in the way he watched her for the rest of the evening.
Sofia knew she couldn’t fight this battle alone, but she also couldn’t afford to involve Alexander directly. For now, she needed to outmaneuver Ethan on her own terms.
As the night deepened, she stared out at the city lights, determination hardening her heart. Ethan had underestimated her, but he wouldn’t see her coming.
This was her move, and she intended to make it count.
- Writer
