Chapter 8
1290 Words
The Trap Tightens
The silence in Donald’s office was suffocating. Sofia sat frozen across from him, her pulse racing, her palms clammy against her lap. The photographs lay scattered like shards of glass on the desk, each one a damning piece of evidence.
Donald leaned back in his leather chair, fingers steepled beneath his chin. His eyes, sharp as a hawk’s, didn’t waver from her face.
“You’ve been busy,” he said softly. Too softly.
Sofia’s throat constricted. She opened her mouth, but words failed her.
“Do you take me for a fool?” Donald’s tone remained calm, but his restraint was more terrifying than fury. “My wife, sneaking around like a desperate teenager… with my nephew.”
Her stomach dropped.
“Donald, it’s not what it looks like”
“Don’t insult my intelligence, Sofia.” He slammed his hand down, the sound cracking like a gunshot. Sofia flinched. “Do you know what betrayal looks like to me? It looks exactly like this.” He tapped one of the photographs with a single finger.
Tears stung her eyes, but she forced herself to breathe. “It wasn’t”
He cut her off with a wave of his hand. “Save it. Whatever pathetic excuse you’re about to offer won’t change what I see.”
Her chest ached. “Please… don’t hurt him. Don’t hurt Scott. He’s innocent in this.”
Donald’s expression flickered, a cruel smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Ah. So you admit there’s something to protect.”
Sofia’s breath caught. She realized too late that she had given herself away.
Donald rose from his chair and circled the desk, coming to stand behind her. His shadow fell over her, heavy and suffocating. He leaned close enough that she could feel his breath against her ear.
“Here’s how this is going to work,” he murmured. “You are my wife. You will behave like it. You will not see Scott again outside of family gatherings. You will not so much as glance in his direction. If you disobey…” He picked up one of the photographs and held it in front of her face. “This becomes public. Do you know what that would do to your reputation? To your father’s already fragile life? To Scott?”
Sofia’s heart pounded so violently she thought it might burst.
“You wouldn’t,” she whispered.
Donald chuckled slowly. “Oh, darling, don’t test me. I’ll burn everything if it means keeping control.”
He dropped the photograph on her lap and straightened, smoothing his tie. “Now, dry your tears. Tonight we’re attending a gala. And you, my dear, will smile for the cameras.”
The gala glittered with wealth and vanity. Crystal chandeliers rained golden light over the grand hall, while the city’s elite mingled in gowns and tuxedos. Sofia’s arm rested stiffly in Donald’s as they entered, her emerald silk dress chosen by him, her lipstick the shade he preferred.
Every step felt like walking through a nightmare.
Across the room, she spotted Scott standing with Adrian, both in sharp suits. Adrian’s easy grin contrasted Scott’s stiff posture, his eyes dark as they flicked to her and Donald. The unspoken tension coiled tighter.
Linda, bless her, appeared at Sofia’s side as soon as she could break free from Donald’s grip. “You look stunning,” Linda whispered, then caught the strain in Sofia’s expression. “But your eyes… God, Sof, what happened?”
Sofia forced a smile, her lips trembling. “Later,” she mouthed.
Donald clinked glasses with other business people, laughing as though he hadn’t just threatened to destroy her life hours ago. Sofia stood by him, smiling mechanically, her mind elsewhere.
Then Jasmine appeared, draped in red satin, her arm snaking possessively around Scott’s. She pressed her lips to his cheek in a deliberate show, her eyes cutting toward Sofia with poisonous satisfaction.
“Mrs. Dickson,” Jasmine said sweetly, venom laced beneath her tone. “That dress is… lovely. Almost as lovely as the way you were staring at my boyfriend across the room.”
Sofia’s breath caught.
Scott stiffened. “Jasmine”
“Oh, don’t ‘Jasmine’ me,” she snapped, tightening her hold on him. I’m not blind. I see the way she looks at you. And frankly, it’s pathetic.”
The words cut deep. Linda stepped forward, fire flashing in her eyes. “Watch your mouth. Sofia hasn’t done anything to you.”
Jasmine smirked. “Maybe not for me. "But to her husband? She flicked her gaze toward Donald, who had turned to watch the exchange, his smile cold. “I wonder what he’d think if he knew how she spends her free time.”
Sofia felt her legs go weak. Jasmine knew or at least suspected enough to be dangerous.
Adrian stepped in quickly, placing himself between Scott and Jasmine. “Alright, Jas, enough. You’re making a scene.”
Jasmine glared, but finally relented, muttering under her breath as she dragged Scott away. He threw one last glance back at Sofia, his eyes burning with a mixture of frustration and longing.
Donald’s hand closed tightly around Sofia’s wrist. He leaned in, whispering against her ear, “See what happens when you play with fire?”
She forced her lips into a brittle smile for the crowd, even as her world collapsed inside.
Later that night, in the mansion, Sofia locked herself in her room, her hands shaking as she dialed Linda.
“Linda, I can’t do this,” she whispered through her tears. “He knows. He has pictures. He’s using them against me.”
“Oh my God,” Linda gasped. “Sof… you can’t stay silent. You have to tell someone. Maybe Scott”
“No!” Sofia said quickly. If Scott knows, he’ll confront Donald. And Donald will destroy him. I can’t let that happen.”
“But what about you? You can’t live like this.”
Sofia pressed her forehead against the cool glass of the window, staring out at the city lights. “I don’t have a choice.”
A knock sounded at her door. Her heart stopped.
“Sofia?” Donald’s voice. Calm. Controlled. Terrifying. “Time for bed.”
She hung up quickly, wiping her tears. Her reflection in the glass showed a woman trapped between two cages, duty and desire, and both were closing in.
Meanwhile, across the city, Scott sat in Adrian’s apartment, running a hand through his hair in frustration.
“Something’s wrong,” Scott muttered. “She’s different. Scared.”
Adrian leaned back on the couch, arms folded. “Of course she’s scared. She’s married to Donald freakin’ Dickson. The guy eats people alive for breakfast.”
Scott glared. “Don’t joke.”
“I’m not,” Adrian said seriously. “Listen, man." I know you’re in deep with her, but this isn’t some college romance. This is life-or-death with Donald. You’ve got to be careful.”
“I can’t just walk away,” Scott said, his voice breaking. “I can’t.”
Adrian studied him, then sighed. “Fine. But if you’re going down this road, you’re not doing it alone. I’ve got your back. Always.”
Scott’s chest tightened with gratitude. “Thanks, man.”
Neither of them noticed Jasmine outside the building, her eyes narrowing as she spotted Scott’s silhouette through the window. Her lips curved into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
“Secrets,” she murmured. “Everyone has them." And I’ll find yours.”
Donald has the photographs and begins blackmailing Sofia, Jasmine sharpens her claws, and Scott realizes Sofia is
in danger while Jasmine secretly plots to uncover the truth.
- Writer
