2
998 Words
Sophia ’s POV
The cool night air bites at my cheeks as I step out of the car, pulling my jacket tighter around me. My heart feels like a live wire—frayed, sparking, ready to burn. I shouldn’t be here. I know that. But I’m also too stubborn to leave.
Liam .
Even his name makes my pulse quicken with an unbearable mix of love, anger, and betrayal. I want to see him. I want to scream at him. I want him to wrap me in his arms and make me believe—against all reason—that he’s still the man I fell in love with.
Mother’s words from earlier slice through my thoughts. “You’re betrothed to a billionaire, Sophia . You should be grateful.”Grateful? For being sold off like a piece of jewelry to someone I don’t even know?
I clutch my jacket tighter as I walk up the porch steps to Liam ’s apartment. My chest is a riot of emotions: dread, anger, and the tiniest flicker of hope. Hope that tonight will be different. That Liam will remind me why I chose him over everything else, despite his flaws.
Knocking on the door, I wait.
Nothing.
I knock again, harder this time. Still nothing. My phone is in my hand before I realize it, the screen glowing with his name. It rings. No answer.
I bang on the door, a fistful of frustration behind every knock. Just as I’m about to give up, the door swings open.
“Liam !” I start, my words tumbling over themselves, ready to demand answers. But the sight of him stops me cold.
He’s shirtless. His hair is messy, as though someone’s fingers had been running through it. And then there’s that look—guilt.
“Hey, babe.” He greets me with a sheepish smile, stepping forward to pull me into a quick hug. Too quick.
I stiffen in his arms, my eyes narrowing as I take him in. He’s nervous. Fidgety. And he’s blocking the doorway.
“What’s going on, Liam ?” My voice is calm, but my chest feels like it’s caving in.
“Nothing, babe. Why are you here so late?” He leans casually against the doorframe, trying to sound nonchalant, but his tone is too forced.
“I needed to see you.” I fold my arms, raising an eyebrow. “Are you going to let me in?”
His hesitation is answer enough. My heart drops.
“Liam ,” I say slowly, my voice dangerously low. “Move.”
He opens his mouth as if to argue but steps aside reluctantly. My stomach churns as I step into the apartment. The air feels different—charged with something dark and unspoken. My gaze falls to the floor, where clothes are scattered carelessly. Women’s clothes. A pair of high heels glint under the dim light.
“Liam …” My voice cracks as I pick up a red dress that isn’t mine.
“Val, wait, it’s not what you think—”
“Not what I think?” I laugh bitterly, throwing the dress at him. “Then what is it, Liam ? What excuse do you have this time?”
He stumbles over his words, reaching for me, but I shove him away.
And that’s when I see her.
At the top of the stairs, leaning casually against the banister, is Clara. My ex-best friend. Her smile is smug, triumphant, and it cuts through me like a blade.
“Hello, Sophia ,” she says, her voice dripping with mock sweetness.
It’s like the air has been sucked out of the room. My mind races, trying to piece together how this happened—again. The first time Liam cheated, I’d been devastated but forgiving. Clara had cried and begged me to take her back as a friend. I’d said no, and Liam had promised he’d changed.
I was a fool.
“How long?” My voice is cold, distant.
Liam doesn’t answer. Clara descends the stairs slowly, each step deliberate, like a queen descending to claim her throne.
“Does it matter?” she purrs, her gaze flicking to Liam . “You’re leaving him anyway, right? Off to marry your billionaire fiancé.”
My chest tightens, rage bubbling up so fiercely I can barely breathe.
“You knew?” My voice shakes. “You knew about the betrothal?”
Clara shrugs. “Of course. Your mother told mine. And I figured, why not give Liam some company while you’re off chasing dollar signs?”
The audacity of her words snaps something inside me. I lunge for her, but Liam grabs me, pulling me back.
“Val, stop!”
“Stop?” I scream, breaking free from his grasp. “You want me to stop, Liam ? After this?” I gesture wildly at Clara, her smug expression making my blood boil.
I grab my phone and bag from the table, my vision blurred by tears. I need to get out. I need to breathe.
“Sophia , wait,” Liam pleads, stepping in front of the door.
“Move,” I hiss.
He hesitates, then steps aside. For once, he doesn’t fight. He doesn’t chase after me. He doesn’t choose me.
As I step outside, the cold air slaps me in the face, grounding me. My mind is already spinning with a plan—a way to make them both pay. Clara thinks she’s won. Liam thinks I’ll come crawling back.
But they’re wrong.
If my mother wants me to marry this billionaire so badly, maybe I will. And maybe I’ll use every ounce of his wealth and power to destroy the two people who betrayed me.
I’ll make them regret ever crossing me.
As I walk away from Liam ’s apartment, my tears dry, replaced by a chilling resolve. They thought they broke me.
They have no idea who they’re dealing with.
- Writer
