Chapter 9
1264 Words
The Price of Secrets
The morning sun over Los Angeles burned bright, yet inside the Dickson mansion Sofia felt nothing but cold. She stood in front of the mirror, her hair perfectly styled, her pale-pink blouse tucked neatly into a skirt Donald’s unspoken rules of appearance lingering over her like an iron cage.
Behind her, the door creaked open. Donald entered, already dressed in his charcoal-gray suit, his expression unreadable as always. He adjusted his cufflinks while watching her reflection.
“You’ll accompany me to the office today,” he said flatly.
Sofia turned slowly. “The office? But… I have class.”
“Not anymore,” he said without hesitation. “From now on, your schedule bends to mine.”
Her chest tightened. “Donald, I need school. I need normalcy.”
He approached, resting his hands on her shoulders, a mockery of tenderness. “You need me, Sofia. You need stability. College boys and silly degrees won’t protect you. I will.” His grip tightened just enough to make her wince. “And you’ll thank me one day for keeping you out of trouble.”
She stared at him through the mirror, her lips pressed thin. She wanted to scream, to tear away from him. Instead, she nodded faintly, fear winning over defiance.
At college, Scott paced the quad, his backpack slung over one shoulder. He’d been waiting for Sofia since morning, but she never showed. Anxiety gnawed at him.
“Hey,” Adrian called, jogging over, his curly hair bouncing in the sunlight. “She’s not here, is she?”
Scott shook his head, frustration etched on his face. “Something’s wrong. She’s always here for the first lecture. Always. But now…” He trailed off, kicking at the pavement.
Adrian exhaled. “I don’t like this, man. You’ve been looking like you’re carrying a coffin on your back.”
Scott rubbed his temples. “It’s Donald. I know it.”
Before Adrian could respond, Jasmine appeared, strutting toward them in her designer boots. Her smile was wide, but her eyes glittered with suspicion.
“There you are,” she said, looping her arm through Scott’s. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
Scott pulled his arm back gently. “I’ve been waiting for someone.”
Jasmine’s smile stiffened. “Oh? Waiting for who?”
Adrian raised his eyebrows, sensing the tension. “I’ll grab us coffee,” he muttered, walking away.
Jasmine stepped closer, lowering her voice. “You’ve been acting strange. Distant. Don’t think I haven’t noticed.”
Scott avoided her gaze. “I’ve just been stressed. Classes, family”
“Don’t lie to me,” Jasmine hissed. “Is it hers? Donald’s wife?”
Scott froze.
Jasmine’s smirk returned, sharp and knowing. “I knew it. The way you look at her, the way she looks at you… it’s disgusting.”
Scott finally met her gaze, anger flashing in his eyes. “Stay out of this, Jasmine.”
“Oh, I will,” she said with a chilling sweetness. “But not before I find out exactly how deep this… obsession of yours runs.”
She walked off, her heels clicking against the pavement like a ticking clock. Scott clenched his fists, dread churning in his gut.
That evening, Sofia sat curled on her bed, clutching her phone as Linda’s voice soothed her from the other end.
“Sof, this is insane. He’s isolating you, cutting you off from everything that’s yours. That’s abuse.”
“I know,” Sofia whispered, tears brimming in her eyes. But if I resist, he’ll destroy Scott. He has pictures, Linda. He’ll ruin everything.”
At the other end, Linda fell silent. Finally, she said, “Then you need help. Real help. Someone who isn’t afraid of Donald.”
“Who?”
“Maybe Adrian. He’s Scott’s best friend. He’s smart, resourceful. He could cover for you.”
Sofia’s heart pounded. The thought of pulling someone else into this nightmare terrified her, but maybe Linda was right. She couldn’t keep carrying this weight alone.
Later that night, Scott stormed into Adrian’s apartment.
“She didn’t show up to class. She didn’t answer my calls. Adrian, I can’t do this anymore. I need to see her.”
Adrian set down his laptop and looked at him carefully. “Scott, think. Donald’s probably got her on a leash. If you push too hard, you’ll make it worse.”
“I don’t care!” Scott shouted, running his hand through his hair. “She’s suffering, I can feel it.”
Adrian sighed, leaning back. “Alright. But if you’re going to do this, we need to be smart. Careful. We’ll figure out a way for you two to meet without raising suspicion.”
Scott’s eyes softened. “You’d really help me with this?”
“Of course,” Adrian said. “You’re my brother." But Scott… you’re playing with fire. One wrong move, and we’re all ash.”
Back at the mansion, Donald sat in his study, swirling a glass of scotch. He flipped through the photographs again, a faint smile on his lips. Control was intoxicating.
His phone buzzed. A message.
From: Jasmine
We need to talk. I think your wife and your nephew are keeping something from you.
Donald’s smile widened. He typed back a single word.
When?
The following afternoon, Sofia finally managed to sneak away to meet Linda at a quiet café on the outskirts of town.
“You look pale,” Linda said, hugging her tightly. “He’s sucking the life out of you.”
Sofia sank into her seat, her hands trembling. “I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up. He’s watching me all the time.”
Linda reached across the table, gripping her hand. “Then stop letting him. Fight back. You have people who care about you, Sof. Me. Scott. Even Adrian. You’re not alone.”
Before Sofia could reply, her phone buzzed. A message from Donald:
Home. Now.
Her stomach twisted. He knew where she was.
“I have to go,” she whispered, her voice shaking. “He’s tracking me.”
Linda’s face went pale. “Sofia”
But she was already gone, racing into the streets, her chest burning with fear.
That night, Jasmine sat across from Donald in a dimly lit lounge. Her red nails tapped against her martini glass.
“I don’t have proof,” she said smoothly, “but I know there’s something between them." The way Scott avoids me, the way she looks at him… You’re too smart not to have noticed.”
Donald’s expression remained calm, but his eyes gleamed with calculation. “Go on.”
“I can help you,” Jasmine said, leaning forward. I know Scott better than anyone. If they’re sneaking around, I’ll find out. And when I do… we can make them pay.”
Donald swirled his drink, considering her carefully. Then he smiled a slow, predatory smile.
“You may be more useful than I thought.”
Meanwhile, Sofia lay awake in her bed, her phone clutched against her chest. A message from Scott blinked across the screen:
I’ll find a way to see you. Hold on.
She closed her eyes, tears slipping down her cheeks. For the first time in days, her heart felt a spark of hope though she knew the trap was already closing around them.
Jasmine officially teams up with Donald to expose Sofia and Scott, while Sofia grows more desperate under Donald’s
Control, and Scott, with Adrian’s help, starts planning a secret meeting.
- Writer
