Scandal&Redemption

Chapter 4 — Thrown Out

Johnson drove like the city was in his way.

The video had hit his phone like a slap—Sophia in a hotel hallway, laughing, kissing a man who wasn't him. Thousands of strangers had already judged her. And him.

He couldn't understand how it had come to this. They were days from getting engaged, a ring already waiting—yet a single video was tearing her life apart.

Now all he could see was that blurred hallway and the door shutting behind her.

Anger burned so hot it made his chest ache. He wasn't coming to comfort her. He was coming to demand an explanation—one that didn't treat him like a fool.

When he reached the Hayes house, Lily opened the door as if she'd been waiting.

“Johnson, come in," she said, voice sharp with disgust. “Look at what she did."

Johnson stepped inside—and stopped.

Sophia was on her knees in the living room. Lily stood over her with a feather duster raised, and Alice hovered nearby with red eyes and clasped hands.

The duster came down. Sophia flinched.

For one unwanted second, pity flickered in Johnson's chest. She looked so small like that.

Then the video flashed behind his eyes again.

Whatever softness had risen inside him turned to stone.

Johnson's face was hard. Not confused. Not worried. Just furious.

Sophia took a step forward. “Johnson, please—"

A desperate hope sparked—if he listened for one minute, maybe it could be fixed.

She reached for him. “No matter what you saw, just listen to me first."

Johnson's hand shot out and pushed her back by the shoulder. Not hard enough to knock her down, but hard enough to make the message clear.

“Don't," he cut in.

“Don't start."

Lily stood beside him, lips tight with disgust. “I'm so sorry. I never thought she could be this shameless."

Alice hovered near the sofa, eyes red, hands clasped. “Johnson… please calm down. Sophia didn't mean to…"

Sophia shot Alice a look. “Stop acting like you care."

Lily snapped, “After that video, you still have the nerve to talk?"

Sophia's throat tightened. “Mom, I didn't—"

“Get down," Lily said suddenly.

Sophia blinked. “What?"

“Kneel," Lily repeated. “Right now."

Sophia's body went cold. “Mom, I'm not a child."

Lily grabbed her arm and yanked. Sophia stumbled and her knees hit the carpet.

Johnson watched without moving.

Sophia looked up at him, desperate. “Johnson… tell her to stop."

Lily stormed to the corner, snatched the feather duster, and swung it down.

“You shameless girl!" Lily shouted. “Cheating right before your engagement!"

Sophia flinched, pain stinging through her back and arms. “Stop! Mom, please!"

Alice rushed forward, voice trembling. “Mom, don't hit her!"

Lily shoved her away. “Move, Alice. Don't get involved."

Sophia swallowed the pain and crawled forward on her knees. She grabbed Johnson's sleeve.

“Johnson," she begged. “Believe me. I was drunk. I blacked out. I don't remember anything after the party. I woke up terrified and I left."

Johnson jerked his arm away. “Don't touch me."

Sophia's hands froze.

Johnson's eyes were cold. “The whole world saw you kissing another man."

Sophia's voice turned frantic. “His face is blurred. Someone filmed it on purpose."

Johnson's lips curled. “So? Your mouth was still on him."

Sophia's eyes filled. “I blacked out. I woke up terrified and ran."

Johnson's voice stayed flat. “I want you to admit you betrayed me."

Sophia's lips trembled. “I didn't choose it."

Johnson's gaze didn't soften. “And yet you did."

Sophia shook her head fast.

“I wasn't myself. Someone filmed it. Someone might have put something in my drink—"

Johnson laughed once, sharp. “So now it's a trap? That's your story?"

“It's the truth," Sophia said, voice cracking. “I didn't choose this. I don't even know him."

Lily hit Sophia again. “You hear her? Always excuses!"

Sophia clenched her fists, forcing herself not to cry. “Johnson, please. Give me one chance. Let me explain calmly."

Johnson stepped closer, towering over her. “There is nothing to explain."

Sophia whispered, “We were about to get engaged."

“Not anymore," Johnson said.

The words hit like a punch.

Johnson didn't soften. He looked at Sophia like she was a stranger. “The engagement is off."

Sophia's lips trembled. “Johnson, I love you."

Johnson's jaw tightened. “Then you should have acted like it."

Sophia's voice broke. “I didn't plan it. I don't remember it."

Johnson's eyes narrowed. “And I don't care."

Johnson continued, cold and clear. “And don't come to the company tomorrow."

Sophia froze. “What?"

“You're fired," he said.

Sophia's mouth opened, but no sound came out.

“Johnson," she managed. “At least let me resign quietly."

Johnson's stare was stubborn. “You humiliated yourself. I'm done protecting you."

Lily nodded, satisfied. “Good. Let everyone know what she is."

Alice's voice cracked. “Mom… please, stop."

Lily didn't look at her daughter on the floor. “She chose this."

Sophia swallowed hard.

Alice rushed forward again, tears falling. “Johnson, please, don't fire her. She needs that job."

Johnson's tone softened for Alice only. “Alice, stay out of it."

Sophia's stomach turned.

She forced words out. “Johnson… I worked there for years. You can't just—"

“You embarrassed me," Johnson snapped. “I won't keep you in my company so people can laugh at me."

Sophia whispered, “No one even knows we're together."

“They will," Johnson said. “Because everyone will connect the dots."

Sophia's hands shook. “Please…"

Johnson's face twisted with disgust. “You're a b***h," he spat. “A shameless bitch."

Sophia flinched as if he had slapped her.

Lily lifted the feather duster again and pointed toward the door. “Get out of my house."

Sophia blinked. “Mom…"

Lily's eyes were furious. “Don't call me that. You disgraced this family."

Sophia's voice was small. “You're kicking me out?"

“Yes," Lily said, without hesitation. “Pack your things and leave."

Alice cried, “Mom, it's raining outside!"

Lily snapped, “Then she can sleep in the rain."

Sophia looked at all of them—Lily's anger, Alice's tears, Johnson's cold stare.

Then she forced herself to stand, legs unsteady.

“Fine," she whispered. “I'll go."

She went to her room, grabbed a small suitcase, and shoved in the bare essentials—two shirts, jeans, underwear, her old hoodie—then her wallet, phone, charger, and ID.

From the living room, Lily shouted, “Hurry up!"

Sophia dragged the suitcase out.

Alice stood by the door, eyes wet. “Sophia… I'm sorry."

Sophia met her gaze. “Are you?"

Alice swallowed. “I never wanted this."

Sophia's voice went flat. “Then stop helping it happen."

Sophia opened the front door.

Cold wind and heavy rain hit her face immediately. Water soaked her hair and clothes in seconds.

She stepped onto the porch, dragging her small suitcase behind her.

Behind her, Lily's voice cut through the roar of the rain. “Don't come back!"

The door slammed.

Sophia staggered down the steps and forced herself to keep walking, suitcase wheels catching on the wet cracks in the sidewalk.

The rain swallowed her sobs. Tears and water ran together until she couldn't tell which was which.

Lily's words echoed—Disgrace. Shame.

Johnson's words echoed—Engagement off. Fired.

Sophia lifted her chin, rain dripping from her lashes.

“Fine," she whispered. “Say whatever you want."

And she walked into the storm, refusing to fall again.