Scandal&Redemption

Chapter 3 — The Video

Sophia got home with her head still pounding.

She barely stepped into the living room before Lily's voice snapped, “Stop right there."

Sophia froze.

A tired dread rolled through her stomach. Not surprise. Just exhaustion—because she knew what was coming.

Whenever something went wrong, especially whenever it had anything to do with Alice, Lily never asked questions first. She didn't stop to find out who started it or who lied. From the time Sophia was little, the verdict had always come fast, and it had always landed on her.

Today had already crushed her at work. Johnson had shut her down. Alice had played innocent. The whole office had watched. Sophia had made it home thinking she could finally breathe.

But Lily's voice told her she hadn't escaped anything.

Her mother stood by the sofa, arms crossed, eyes cold.

Lily pointed at Sophia like she was pointing at a problem. “I heard what happened at the company."

Sophia's throat tightened. “From who?"

“Does it matter?" Lily snapped. “People are talking. And you still came home with that attitude."

Sophia let out a slow breath. “Mom, I saw Alice in Johnson's office. On his desk. Her arms were around his neck—and Johnson was holding her close. I saw them—"

Lily's eyes narrowed. “Enough. You came home to fight again?"

“I didn't come home to fight," Sophia said, voice tight. “I came home because I'm exhausted."

“And you still found energy to humiliate Alice at work," Lily said.

Lily's mouth twisted. “Because you can't stand seeing Johnson and Alice close. So you target Alice on purpose—always finding excuses, always picking fights."

Sophia's chest rose and fell. “That proposal was mine. She took my work and claimed it."

Lily scoffed. “Alice said she only fixed a few parts."

Sophia's eyes narrowed. “Fixed a few parts? She delivered my proposal and took the credit."

Lily stepped closer, her tone turning familiar—sharp, cutting. “Do you hear yourself? Always accusing your sister. Always thinking everyone owes you."

Sophia's jaw clenched. “I'm not asking for favors. I'm asking for fairness."

Lily's voice turned colder. “Fairness? If it weren't for Alice's father paying your tuition and living expenses, you would have had nothing. You should be grateful instead of tearing her down."

The words landed like a slap.

Sophia's voice went quiet. “So because her father helped me, I have to let Alice do whatever she wants?"

Lily's face hardened. “You owe this family. And you owe Alice respect."

Sophia looked at her mother, feeling something inside go cold. “You don't want respect," she said softly. “You want me to stay silent."

Lily's eyes hardened. “Don't play the victim. You've always been difficult."

“Difficult because I won't pretend," Sophia said. “Because I won't watch her take what's mine."

Sophia pointed toward the door, like she could point at the whole mess. “Then tell her to stop acting like my fiancé belongs to her."

Lily stepped closer, voice icy. “Enough. You live under this roof because this family allowed it. Because Alice's father paid for you. Don't forget that."

Sophia's jaw clenched. “So I owe her my silence forever?"

Lily lifted her hand, warning. “Go to your room. Now."

Sophia didn't argue. She didn't have the strength.

She walked down the hallway, shut her door, and leaned against it, breathing hard.

Two pictures kept flashing in her mind: the hotel bed, and Alice on Johnson's desk.

Sophia pressed her fingers to her temple. “What did you do last night?" she whispered to herself.

She tried to remember the party. The suite. The drinks.

She remembered Jessica shouting, “Just one more!"

She remembered laughing, then stumbling.

Then nothing.

Sophia sank onto the edge of her bed. “It was an accident," she told herself. “No one will know."

But her stomach twisted as soon as she said it, like her body didn't believe her.

Sophia stood there for a long second, listening to her own heartbeat.

She kept repeating the same sentence in her head: It was an accident. No one will know.

But the missing hours from last night felt like a hole in her life, and the stranger's face was still a blur she couldn't name.

Her phone rang.

Jessica.

Jessica's voice was rushed. “Sophia, you need to check online. Now."

Sophia's pulse spiked. “What is it?"

“A video," Jessica said. “From last night. It's already spreading."

Sophia's throat tightened. “Who posted it?"

“I don't know," Jessica said quickly. “Just search your name. Please."

Sophia's fingers went numb. She opened her browser, typed, and hit search.

Posts filled the screen. Comments. Shares. A short clip pinned to the top.

Her breath caught.

Sophia tapped it.

The video played.

A hotel hallway. Yellow lighting. Grainy footage.

Then—her.

Sophia in her party dress, unsteady, smiling in a way that made her stomach turn. A man stood close to her. His face was blurred, but his body blocked the hallway light.

He leaned down.

She kissed him.

Sophia's hand flew to her mouth. “No…"

In the clip, his hands slid to her waist. She clung to his neck. Someone behind the camera laughed.

The laugh sounded young, careless—like it was entertainment.

Then the man guided her toward a door. They stumbled inside together.

The door closed.

The video ended.

Sophia stared at the last frame until her eyes burned. “Why is his face blurry?" she whispered.

Jessica's voice was tight. “I don't know. But everyone can tell it's not Johnson."

Sophia's voice came out thin. “There was someone filming. Did you hear the laugh?"

“Yes," Jessica said. “I hate it. It sounds like someone was waiting for you."

Sophia's hands shook. “Why would anyone do this to me?"

Jessica hesitated. “Sophia… are you sure none of your coworkers saw you leave? Or—"

“I don't remember leaving," Sophia said, panic rising. “I don't remember anything after the suite. Jessica, I woke up and the room was—was too real."

Jessica whispered, “Maybe someone put something in your drink."

Sophia's stomach clenched. “Then it wasn't a mistake. It was a trap."

Jessica breathed out. “Whatever it is, Johnson will see it. He'll think the worst."

Sophia swallowed hard. “He already will."

Sophia's whole body went cold. “How many people have seen it?"

“Too many," Jessica said. “It's spreading fast. Sophia, someone wanted this to happen."

Sophia's mind raced. The drinks. The blackout. The room.

Her phone vibrated in her hand.

Incoming call: Johnson.

Sophia stared at his name like it was a verdict.

Jessica whispered, “Sophia—"

“I have to answer," Sophia said, voice shaking.

She tapped accept. “Johnson…"

His voice was furious. “Explain the video."

Sophia's throat tightened. “I… I don't remember."

“You don't remember?" Johnson snapped. “You're kissing another man in a hotel!"

“I was drunk," Sophia said quickly. “I blacked out. I woke up and—"

Johnson cut in, dangerous and sharp. “You woke up where?"

Sophia's lips trembled. She forced the truth out. “In a hotel room. With him."

Silence on the line.

Then Johnson spoke, low and cold. “Stay at home. Don't go anywhere."

Sophia's hands shook. “Johnson, please, listen—"

“I said stay," he repeated. “I'm coming."

The call ended.

Sophia lowered her phone slowly, staring at the dark screen.

Outside her door, the house was quiet.

But she could already feel the storm getting closer.