Chapter Three
836 Words
Sophia
Two weeks had passed since she walked out of Marcus Blackwood’s office, but every morning the reality hit harder: she was truly alone in this, carrying the heir of one of the most ruthless men in the country.
She was applying to tens of job openings daily but no job offers had come through.
Her savings were draining faster than expected. Staying here meant risking everything.
She couldn’t let Marcus find her. Not when he could use his power, lawyers, and money to take control or force her hand.
Her child would never grow up feeling unwanted or like a mistake to be paid off.
She made her decision. She was leaving. She sent a text to Clara informing her of her impromptu decision and started packing.
She packed two suitcases in under an hour. She booked a one-way train ticket north, deleted her social media accounts, and sat at her kitchen table with a fresh document open on her laptop.
Her fingers hovered over the keyboard for a long moment before she typed the new name that would become her shield: Sophia Vale.
A soft knock sounded. Clara stepped inside, eyes widening at the half-packed apartment. “You’re really doing this? Today?”
Sophia zipped the larger suitcase and stood tall. “I have to, Clara. I changed my number this morning. If I stay in this city, Marcus will eventually come looking once his pride recovers and never in a million years will I give him the chance to hurt my baby.”
Clara crossed the room and gripped her shoulders. “Vale? You’re serious about the name change?”
“Completely.” Sophia pulled out the official paperwork she had printed earlier. “I filed for the name change this morning. It’ll be processed soon. Sophia Bennett is gone. From today, I’m Sophia Vale. I found a small apartment in Riverside, it's about three hours away. It has cheap rent and according to reviews, a quiet neighborhood. I can work freelance PR from there, once I found clients.”
Clara’s eyes filled with worry. “What about doctors? Prenatal care? You’ll be alone.”
“I’ll find a clinic there,” Sophia replied firmly, though her voice wavered slightly. She placed a hand on her stomach, feeling a surge of protectiveness. “This baby is mine. I felt it kick for the first time yesterday. It was just a flutter, but it was real. I won’t let Marcus turn our child into another business transaction. He made his choice when he wrote that check. Now I’m making mine.”
Clara pulled her into a tight hug, holding on as if she might not see her again. “You’re the strongest person I know. But promise you’ll call me every week. Send ultrasound pictures. If you need money or anything …. ”
“I’ll manage,” Sophia cut in gently, stepping back with a small smile. “I have enough for the first few months. Once I land some freelance clients, I’ll be fine. No one can know where I am, Clara. Not even you should tell anyone. Especially not anyone connected to Blackwood.”
Clara nodded, wiping away a tear. “I hate this. You shouldn’t have to run because of that bastard.”
“I’m not running,” Sophia corrected, her eyes fierce. “I’m choosing peace. I'm choosing to raise this child with love instead of the toxicity that Marcus might bring. Theo or Thea will never know what it feels like to be rejected before they’re even born.”
“Theo?” Clara raised an eyebrow, a soft smile breaking through.
“If it’s a boy,” Sophia said, the name slipping out naturally. “It feels right.”
They carried the suitcases down to the waiting cab together. The driver loaded them into the trunk while Sophia took one last look at her old apartment building.
Clara handed her a small envelope. “A little something from me. For the baby. Don’t argue.”
Sophia hugged her best friend one final time, holding tight. “Thank you. For everything. I’ll call when I’m settled.”
As the cab pulled away, Sophia watched the city skyline shrink in the rearview mirror. Her hand rested protectively over her belly the entire ride to the train station.
Hours later, on the moving train, Sophia stared out the window at the passing fields. She opened a new notebook and began to draft out her freelance pitches to send out. She also drew up a budget for prenatal vitamins and the baby's needs.
“No more Blackwood,” she whispered to herself and the tiny life inside her. “Just us, little one. Just you and me against the world.”
By the time the train arrived in Riverside, Sophia Vale stepped onto the platform as a new woman — stronger, determined, and ready to build a life w
here her child would always be wanted, always be loved, and never, ever rejected.
- Writer
