Hidden Blade

Chapter 16：An Unexpected Turn

From the passenger seat, Sophia Bennett found her gaze drifting toward Rex. There was a strange solace in his presence, a steady, unspoken assurance that seemed to untangle the knots in her mind. For the first time in days, the tension that had gripped her eased, her tightly clenched fists relaxing as the weight on her shoulders momentarily lifted.

Her thoughts whirled with excitement, a rare flicker of joy sparking to life. Unable to contain herself, she picked up her phone and dialed Olivia Harper, her closest confidante.

“Olivia!”

She exclaimed, her voice bright and brimming with energy.

“You’ll never believe it—the project owner sent someone to partner with us! And guess what? They’ve entrusted the entire project to me!”

At the other end, Olivia’s delighted squeal echoed throughout the line.

“Oh my God, Sophia, that’s amazing! You’re killing it! We have to thank that big boss.”

Sophia laughed, her happiness bubbling over.

“Yes, absolutely. " But, Olivia… She hesitated for a moment, her voice softening. “Didn’t your grandfather mention he could help us contact him? I really want to express my gratitude properly.”

There was a brief pause before Olivia’s playful tone shifted to a pout.

“Ugh, Grandpa won’t let me anywhere near him anymore. He confiscated my phone and deleted the number, said I was being too forward and might annoy him.”

Sophia’s brow furrowed, curiosity flickering in her expression. “What kind of man commands that level of deference from your grandfather? Just how powerful is he?”

“I have no idea,” Olivia admitted with a sigh. Whenever I ask, Grandpa gets all mysterious and dodges the question. But don’t worry—I’ll figure something out. I’ll find a way to meet him. Leave it to me!”

Relief washed over Sophia, and she let out a light laugh. “You’re the best, Olivia. Thank you.”

Before she could say more, Olivia’s tone shifted again, this time carrying a teasing edge. “So, Sophia, are you still planning to go through with the wedding? You and Rex?”

Sophia’s smile faltered slightly, and her gaze flicked to the man beside her. Rex was reclining in the passenger seat, idly spinning a lighter between his fingers, his expression as nonchalant as ever.

“I suppose so,” she said at last, her tone measured.It’s not like I have high expectations for marriage. " I just don’t want the baby to grow up without a father.”

On the other end, Olivia’s voice softened, her teasing giving way to earnestness. “You know, Sophia, Rex isn’t as bad as I thought he’d be.”

Sophia blinked, startled by the sudden shift. “Wait—what? You were completely against him before. What changed?”

Olivia let out a low chuckle. “I don’t know… maybe I was wrong to judge him so harshly. Sure, he’s a cab driver, but there’s something about him, don’t you think? Maybe he’s got layers.”

Sophia opened her mouth to reply, then stopped. As much as she hated to admit it, Olivia’s words struck a chord. Rex had moments—fleeting but undeniable—when he revealed glimpses of something deeper, something solid and unshakable beneath his irreverent facade.

“I guess time will tell,” Sophia murmured, more to herself than to Olivia.

“Anyway,” Olivia said suddenly, her voice bright again, “Grandpa’s calling. I’ve got to run. Talk soon?”

“Sure. " Thanks, Olivia.” Sophia ended the call, her mind still lingering on her friend’s parting words.

As silence settled in the car, she glanced at Rex once more. His focus had shifted to the road ahead, the lighter now resting forgotten in his lap. She didn’t know what the future held, but for this brief moment, she allowed herself to appreciate the quiet companionship they shared, however fleeting it might be.

An Unexpected Turn

The call ended with a click, and Sophia’s fingers curled tightly around the steering wheel, her knuckles whitening under the pressure. Her thoughts churned like a storm-tossed sea, the weight of her decision pressing heavily on her chest. Initially, she’d planned to head back to the Bennetts’ opulent villa, but her subconscious had taken the wheel. Before she even realized it, the car was gliding through the quieter streets toward Rex’s modest apartment.

The silence in the car was taut, broken only by the hum of the engine. Sophia finally spoke, her voice clipped and deliberate.

“I’ve arranged everything. Tomorrow morning, we’ll go to the registry and get the marriage certificate.”

Rex leaned back in his seat, utterly unbothered.

“Alright,” he said casually, his tone so indifferent it bordered on flippant.

The nonchalance grated on her already frayed nerves. Sophia’s jaw tightened as she inhaled deeply, trying to maintain her composure.

“Let’s get one thing straight,”

She said, her voice like tempered steel. “This marriage isn’t about us.

" It’s for the child. Don’t expect anything beyond that. All I ask is that you be a decent father. Other than that, our lives will remain separate.”

Rex tilted his head, his eyes glinting with mischief. “So that’s it? No chance we might… develop something more?”

Sophia let out a derisive snort, her disdain cutting through the air like a blade.

“You honestly think there’s a future here?”

He shrugged, unfazed, as he flipped a lighter idly between his fingers.

“Stranger things have happened.”

A bitter smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “Once the child is born, I’ll transfer three thousand dollars to you every month.”

Rex raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise.

“Three grand? Is that my allowance?”

“Call it whatever you like,”

She retorted, her tone sharp enough to draw blood.

He smirked, his movements lazy but precise as the lighter twirled effortlessly in his hand.

“If you’re planning to sponsor me, three grand feels a little stingy.”

Sophia turned her head sharply, her glare icy enough to freeze the air.

“You’re a cab driver. How much do you even make in a month? You should consider it a blessing.”

Before Rex could craft a comeback, his phone erupted in a cacophony of an absurdly loud and outdated ringtone, shattering the tension. Sophia stared at him, her expression equal parts disbelief and disdain.

“What is that? Who even uses ringtones like that anymore? You’re a walking relic.”

Ignoring her barbed remark, Rex fished the phone out of his pocket and answered with his trademark nonchalance.

“Yeah, what’s up, old man?”

A stern, gravelly voice rumbled at the other end.

“We’ve got a situation. You need to take a trip to Chicago. Viktor Moretti from the Obsidian Syndicate intercepted the shipment. The black card’s waiting at your apartment. You know what to do.”

Rex’s face remained unreadable, his tone calm as if discussing the weather.

“It’ll be handled. By the evening after tomorrow, it’s done.”

The voice paused before adding,

“I hear you’re getting married.”

Rex’s fingers tightened around the phone, his expression darkening just a fraction.

“Who let that slip?”

A dry chuckle echoed along the line. Olivia Harper’s grandfather mentioned it. What’s this, Rex? A wedding without my blessing? You think you can marry the Bennetts without notifying me?”

Rex groaned internally, his frustration leaking into his voice.

“Listen, old man—”

“No need for excuses,” the voice cut off sharply, “Your sister’s flying in tomorrow." She’ll want a word. Be prepared.”

The line went dead before Rex could protest. He stared at the phone in disbelief, then shoved it back into his pocket with a muttered curse.

“You sent her? Seriously? Are you trying to kill me, old man? This is treason. Treason!”

Sophia, who had been silently watching the entire exchange, raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in her eyes.

“What a dutiful son you are,”

She quipped, her tone carrying a rare edge of humor.

Rex glanced at her, the corners of his lips quirking upward in a rueful grin.

“Just wait until you meet him." You’ll see where I get it from.”

For the first time in what felt like forever, Sophia allowed herself to laugh—light and fleeting, like a sliver of dawn breaking through the darkness.