Chapter 16: Wives and Scandals
1206 Words
Sophia didn’t sleep.
The video replayed endlessly in her mind.
A younger version of herself.
Blood staining her hands.
Adrian’s father lying motionless on the ground.
And those six devastating words:
Tell Adrian what you did.
The worst part?
She remembered that day.
Every second of it.
The smell of smoke.
The sound of gunfire.
The terror.
And the guilt that had followed her for eleven years.
A knock sounded at her door.
“Sophia?”
Adrian.
She quickly locked her phone.
“I’m fine.”
Silence.
Then
“That’s becoming your favorite lie.”
Sophia closed her eyes.
She didn’t answer.
Eventually, Adrian walked away.
But the distance between them had never felt greater.
The next morning, Vale Manor exploded into chaos.
“Miss Sophia!” Clara rushed into the dining room, tablet in hand.
“You need to see this.”
Eleanor frowned.
“What now?”
Clara placed the tablet on the table.
Every major entertainment website carried the same headline.
VALE WIFE ATTACKS SOCIALITE EX-FIANCÉE
Beneath it were photographs from yesterday.
Sophia standing close to Isabella.
Isabella looking furious.
A spilled cup of tea.
Another headline appeared.
WHO IS SOPHIA VALE?
And another.
THE MYSTERY WOMAN WHO STOLE ADRIAN VALE’S HEART
Sophia sighed.
“They’re dramatic.”
Eleanor looked horrified.
“They’re journalists.”
Adrian took the tablet.
His expression darkened.
“They’re digging into your past.”
Sophia stiffened.
Of course they were.
And if reporters started asking the wrong questions—
Everything would unravel.
“We should release a statement,” Damian suggested.
“No,” Sophia said immediately.
Everyone looked at her.
“No interviews.”
“No public appearances.”
“No explanations.”
Adrian studied her carefully.
“Why?”
Because people looking too closely was dangerous.
Because secrets had a way of resurfacing.
Because someone wanted exactly this.
“I don’t like reporters,” she answered.
Adrian knew she was lying.
Again.
Three hours later…
Sophia stepped into the ballroom of the Royal Heritage Foundation.
Today’s event couldn’t be canceled.
Vale Holdings had sponsored it months ago.
The media frenzy had only increased public interest.
Camera flashes followed them immediately.
“Mrs. Vale!”
“What really happened with Isabella Sinclair?”
“How long have you known Mr. Vale?”
“Where are you originally from?”
Sophia tightened her grip on Adrian’s arm.
Smile.
Breathe.
Deflect.
Adrian placed a reassuring hand over hers.
“You okay?”
“No.”
“You look calm.”
“I’ve had practice.”
Adrian frowned.
At what?
Before he could ask—
“Sophia.”
Isabella.
Sophia resisted the urge to fake a medical emergency.
The ex-fiancée approached confidently.
Elegant.
Perfect.
Prepared.
The reporters practically vibrated with excitement.
“Miss Sinclair,” Sophia greeted.
“Mrs. Vale.”
The air between them crackled.
One reporter immediately stepped forward.
“Would either of you like to address yesterday’s incident?”
Isabella smiled sweetly.
“It was all a misunderstanding.”
Sophia blinked.
That wasn’t what she’d expected.
“But misunderstandings often reveal character,” Isabella continued.
Her gaze shifted toward Sophia.
“And I think we’re all curious about Mrs. Vale’s character.”
There it was.
The attack.
Sophia smiled politely.
“I’m curious too.”
Several reporters laughed.
Isabella’s smile tightened.
“People deserve transparency.”
Sophia tilted her head.
“Then perhaps you should explain why you leaked private photographs to the press.”
The room fell silent.
Isabella froze.
Adrian’s attention sharpened.
“What?”
Sophia reached into her purse.
Then handed Adrian several printed screenshots.
Emails.
Payment confirmations.
Media contacts.
All connected to Isabella.
Isabella’s face drained of color.
“You investigated me?”
Sophia shrugged.
“You were sloppy.”
The reporters surged forward.
“Miss Sinclair, do you deny these allegations?”
“Did you leak information about the Vales?”
“Do you have a response?”
Isabella glared at Sophia.
“You think you’ve won?”
Sophia’s expression softened.
“This was never a competition.”
The sincerity caught Isabella off guard.
Pain flickered across her features.
Then anger returned.
“You don’t deserve him.”
The words hit harder than Sophia expected.
Because part of her agreed.
Adrian stepped forward.
“That’s enough.”
The room fell silent instantly.
His gaze settled on Isabella.
“I cared about you once.”
Isabella’s composure cracked.
“But this ends now.”
Heartbreak flashed across her face.
Then she turned and walked away.
The cameras followed.
The scandal had found a new headline.
Hours later, Adrian and Sophia stood alone on the balcony overlooking the city.
“You had those screenshots prepared,” Adrian observed.
Sophia stared at the skyline.
“I don’t like being cornered.”
“You also don’t like losing.”
A faint smile touched Sophia’s lips.
“That too.”
Adrian studied her.
“You could’ve destroyed Isabella.”
Sophia glanced sideways at him.
“I didn’t want to.”
“Why?”
Sophia hesitated.
“Because she genuinely loves you.”
Adrian looked away.
“Past tense.”
Silence settled between them.
Then Adrian spoke quietly.
“You defended yourself today.”
Sophia frowned.
“Shouldn’t I?”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“I mean…”
His voice softened.
“You stopped fighting long enough to let people see you.”
Sophia’s chest tightened.
Because Adrian saw too much.
And not enough.
“You don’t know me,” she whispered.
Adrian met her gaze.
“Then let me.”
The vulnerability in his expression stole her breath.
Because he meant it.
He wanted to know her.
The real her.
Not the wife.
Not the mystery.
Not the stranger.
Her.
Sophia looked away first.
“You wouldn’t like what you find.”
Adrian’s response came immediately.
“That’s my decision.”
Before Sophia could answer—
Her phone vibrated.
Unknown Number.
Her blood ran cold.
The message contained only one sentence.
You’re becoming weak.
Another arrived.
Tell Adrian the truth before I do.
Then a photograph appeared.
Sophia.
Age fourteen.
Standing beside Adrian’s father.
Smiling.
Safe.
A life before everything shattered.
Adrian noticed her pale expression.
“What is it?”
Sophia locked her phone.
“Nothing.”
Adrian’s jaw tightened.
“Sophia—”
“I’m tired.”
She turned to leave.
Adrian caught her wrist gently.
She froze.
“You don’t have to carry everything alone.”
Sophia stared at his hand around hers.
Warm.
Steady.
Trusting.
Tears threatened to surface.
Because Adrian had no idea what he was offering.
And Sophia had no idea how to accept it.
Slowly, she pulled away.
“If you knew everything…”
Her voice cracked.
“You’d never say that again.”
Then she walked away.
Leaving Adrian standing beneath the city lights.
Wondering whether loving Sophia Vale would save them both—
Or destroy them.
Later that night, Adrian returned to his study.
An envelope rested on his desk.
No sender.
No security footage showing who delivered it.
Inside was a single photograph.
Sophia.
No older than fourteen.
Standing beside Adrian’s father.
Both smiling at the camera.
Written across the back in red ink were seven chilling words:
She was there when he died.
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