"I'm just going to visit a friend," Sophia said to Vin as she headed toward the mansion's front door, trying to keep her voice casual. "I'll be back before dinner."
The bodyguard stepped smoothly into her path, his expression politely immovable. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Rossi, but Mr. Rossi didn't authorize any outings today. Perhaps you could call your friend instead?"
Sophia felt her carefully maintained composure crack. After three weeks of being escorted everywhere like a child, of having every movement monitored and controlled, she'd finally reached her breaking point.
"I don't need authorization to visit my best friend," she said, her voice rising despite her attempt to stay calm. "I'm not a prisoner."
Vincent's expression didn't change, but something shifted in his posture… a subtle ten
