Chapter Ten.
653 Words
Lila
Lila sat behind the wheel of her sleek black sedan, the city lights reflecting against the windshield as she ended the call with Sophie. A slow smile formed on her lips.
Sophie had gotten the job. Step one of her plan was officially in motion.
It had taken weeks of subtle manipulation, countless reassurances, and careful words, but Sophie had finally stepped into the lion’s den—Alexander Hayes’ company. Exactly where Lila needed her to be. She replayed their conversation in her mind.
"I got the job," Sophie had said, her voice lacking enthusiasm.
"That’s amazing, Soph! I knew you could do it!" Lila had responded, injecting just the right amount of excitement into her tone.
"I don’t know, Lila... This feels like a mistake. Working for him? After everything?" Sophie had hesitated.
"It’s just temporary, babe. You need a job, and this one pays well. Besides, just pretend Alexander doesn’t exist. It’s not like you’re working with him—just for the company."
There had been silence on Sophie’s end before she finally sighed.
"I guess you’re right."
"Of course, I’m right," Lila had said, her voice warm and confident. "This is just a stepping stone, Soph. Once you get back on your feet, you can leave. Simple."
Sophie had believed her, just like Lila knew she would. And now, everything was falling into place.
Lila exhaled slowly, her fingers drumming against the leather steering wheel. She reached for her phone again, scrolling through her contacts until she found the name she was looking for—James Foulter.
Her heartbeat quickened as she pressed the dial button.
He picked up on the second ring. "Lila. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"It’s done. She got the job."
A brief silence, then a dark chuckle. "Well, well. That was faster than I expected."
"She didn’t have a choice," Lila replied smoothly. "She’s desperate. And desperate people are easy to control."
"Perfect," James mused. "Now we move to step two."
Lila’s grip tightened on the phone. Step two. The real game was about to begin.
She glanced out the window at the busy street, watching people pass by in a rush to get to wherever they needed to be. Normal people, living their normal lives. Sophie had once had that—peace, happiness, a world filled with kindness. But Lila knew all too well that life wasn’t fair.
For years, she had lived with unbearable pain, with the weight of what Sophie had taken from her pressing down on her every single day. The loss, the grief, the bitterness—it had all simmered beneath the surface, waiting for the perfect moment to be unleashed.
And now, it was finally happening.
"Sophie will pay," Lila said, her voice cold and unyielding. "For everything."
James chuckled again. "That’s what I like to hear."
Lila ended the call and leaned back in her seat, gripping the steering wheel tightly. A shiver of anticipation ran down her spine. She thought back to the past, to the moment her world had shattered. To the face of the person she loved most in the world, a face she would never see again.
All because of Sophie Albright.
The anger inside her simmered, but she forced herself to stay composed. Revenge wasn’t about acting recklessly—it was about precision, patience, and the perfect execution.
Getting Sophie to work at Hayes Corporation was the first move in a much bigger game. Now that she was there, it would only be a matter of time before everything crumbled around her. And when it did, Lila would be there to watch it happen.
She checked her reflection in the rearview mirror, smoothing down a stray strand of her perfect auburn hair. She couldn’t afford to look anything less than poised.
Revenge required elegance.
She started the car and pulled away from the curb.
Sophie wouldn't know what hit her.
- Writer
