Chapter 2: Dare to Come In
1173 Words
Rex Carlson was starting to feel the edges of a headache creeping in.
“Driving a cab, huh? What’s wrong with that? I earn an honest living. Supporting a kid? Piece of cake.” He shrugged, his tone as casual as if he were discussing the weather.
Sophia Bennett wasn’t impressed. She crossed her arms, her gaze cool and calculating, like a queen surveying an unruly subject.
“Do you have any idea who I am? I’m Sophia Bennett. Of the Bennett family. We practically run this city.”
Rex leaned against the car door, completely unfazed. “Bennett family, huh? Yeah, I’ve heard of you. So what?”
Sophia’s perfectly manicured fingers tightened into a fist. “I’m also engaged to Ethan Hansen, the heir to the Hansen empire.”
“And?” Rex fired back, his tone flat. “What’s so special about him? He’s just another guy with two legs and a head.”
Her nostrils flared as her frustration boiled over. This man—this insufferable, cocky cab driver—was the last person she should’ve gotten involved with. Yet here she was.
The car pulled up to the hospital, its engine purring softly.
At the Hospital
Sophia didn’t move immediately, her gaze fixed on the window.
“Well? Let’s go,” Rex said, unbuckling his seatbelt. “What’re you waiting for?”
Sophia turned her head slowly, her voice steady but low. “Are you really willing to take responsibility?”
Rex opened the door and stepped out, radiating confidence despite having no idea what she meant. “If the kid’s mine, I’ll handle it. If it’s not, I’m not playing the fool.”
Sophia’s lips curved into a faint, bitter smile. “The child is yours.”
The words hit Rex like a sucker punch. Could it really be his? One night of chaos leading to this?
The odds felt impossibly slim, but his luck—or lack thereof—had always been unpredictable.
Inside the hospital, Rex trailed behind Sophia as she led the way down the sterile white corridors. Something about the direction they were heading set him on edge.
“What’s this?” he asked, suspicion creeping into his tone.
Sophia didn’t look back. “Getting rid of it.”
Rex froze. His jaw tightened. “If the kid’s mine, you’re not doing this.”
She stopped and turned, her sharp gaze locking onto his. “And if I do?”
“You won’t,” Rex said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Sophia’s eyes softened briefly before she spun on her heel and entered the procedure room without another word.
A Moment of Hesitation
Sophia lay on the operating table, the harsh fluorescent lights casting her conflicted expression into sharp relief.
The doctor prepared the instruments, but before anything could happen, Sophia’s voice cut through the silence. “Wait. I’m not doing this.”
The doctor paused, her hands hovering mid-air. “Are you sure?”
Sophia nodded, her voice trembling slightly. “Just… let me lie here for a moment.”
The doctor set the tools aside, respecting her decision.
Meanwhile, Rex sat in the hallway, his elbows resting on his knees, his foot tapping impatiently against the linoleum floor.
Hospitals made him uneasy. He got up, heading outside for a cigarette.
Halfway through, he spotted Sophia limping toward the exit, her steps unsteady.
Sophia scanned the lobby, her eyes searching for something—someone.
When she didn’t see Rex, a bitter laugh escaped her lips. Typical. Why had she thought he’d stay?
But just as the thought formed, Rex strolled back in, swishing mouthwash like it was his personal power move.
“You’re late,” Sophia said flatly.
“Relax,” Rex replied, tossing the empty bottle into the trash. “Had to freshen up.”
He grabbed her bag without asking and offered his arm. “Let’s get you home.”
Sophia hesitated, but exhaustion won out. She leaned on him, allowing herself a moment of relief.
The Ride to Greenwood Estates
“Can you even drive this car?” Sophia asked skeptically as she handed him the keys.
Rex smirked, kicking the tire. “This? Please. I could drive this thing in my sleep. Fighter jets are more my speed, though.”
Sophia rolled her eyes but said nothing as she sank into the passenger seat. Rex started the car with ease, the luxury vehicle purring under his control.
Sophia watched him out of the corner of her eye. How could a cab driver handle a car like this so effortlessly?
Her thoughts were interrupted by Rex’s phone buzzing.
He answered with a curt, “What?”
The gruff voice on the other end barked instructions. “Rex, there’s a bidding conference at Summit Tower tonight. I’ve allocated a billion dollars. Get it done.”
“Got it,” Rex replied, his tone casual.
Sophia barely noticed the conversation. Her mind was elsewhere as she stared out the window, lost in her own worries.
The car pulled into the gated community of Greenwood Estates, a place reserved for Washington’s elite.
“We’re here,” Rex announced, cutting the engine.
Sophia hesitated, glancing at him. “Would you like to come in?”
Rex chuckled, leaning back in his seat. “You’re not worried I might try something?”
Sophia smirked faintly. “You’ve already gotten me pregnant. What else is there to be afraid of?”
Rex shook his head with a laugh, stepping out of the car. “You’ve got jokes.”
But before he could walk away, Sophia tripped on the curb, twisting her ankle.
Rex sighed, stubbing out his cigarette as he walked back to help her. “You’re hopeless.”
Sophia glared at him. “Say that again.”
“Hopeless,” Rex said with a smirk—only to yelp when she bit down on his shoulder in frustration.
“You’re insane!” Rex exclaimed, rubbing the sore spot. “What are you, part wolf?”
Sophia hobbled toward the door, tossing over her shoulder, “I’ve got medicine inside. Dare to come in?”
Rex grinned, following her without hesitation.
At the Bennett Mansion
Inside, Rex knelt beside Sophia to treat her ankle. His hands were firm but surprisingly gentle.
“You’ve got nice feet,” he remarked casually.
Sophia’s cheeks turned pink. “Shut up.”
Before the moment could stretch into something else, the front door swung open.
Helen Bennett’s sharp voice cut through the air. “Sophia, what’s going on here?”
Sophia jumped up, her face flushing with embarrassment.
Rex raised the ointment bottle like a peace offering. “She twisted her ankle. I was helping.”
But Sophia, without missing a beat, blurted out, “He’s my boyfriend.”
The room went silent as Helen’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“Boyfriend?” Helen repeated, her tone somewhere between outrage and horror.
Sophia forced a smile, fully aware she had just stepped into a much bigger mess.
- Writer
