The days passed quietly at the Grey estate, but beneath the surface, the tension was growing. Alex could feel it in the air—Sophie was playing a game, and her next move would come soon. He spent long hours in his office, reviewing business deals, keeping a close eye on the security team, and mentally preparing for whatever Sophie might have planned. Yet, despite his vigilance, the undercurrent of unease remained.
Isabella, on the other hand, was determined to stay focused on the positive. She spent her days preparing for the arrival of the twins, sorting through baby clothes, setting up the nursery, and attending prenatal check-ups. But no matter how busy she kept herself, Sophie's shadow lingered.
One afternoon, while Isabella was out for a walk in the estate gardens, a car pulled up to the gates. Victor, ever watchful, approached the vehicle cautiously. The window rolled down, revealing Sophie behind the wheel, her face framed by large sunglasses.
"Good afternoon, Victor," Sophie said smoothly, flashing a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
Victor stood rigid. "Ms. Sophie, what brings you here?"
Sophie tilted her head, her smile widening. "Oh, I'm just here to drop off a little something for Alex. I won't be long."
Victor didn't move. "I'm afraid Mr. Grey isn't available at the moment."
Sophie's eyes darkened for a brief second before she quickly composed herself. "Well, if you could just pass this along to him," she said, reaching into the passenger seat and producing a small, elegant box wrapped in gold paper. "It's a peace offering."
Victor didn't reach for it. "I'll have to check with Mr. Grey first."
Sophie's smile faltered. "Of course," she said with a wave of her hand. "I wouldn't expect anything less. Just tell him it's from me. I'm sure he'll understand."
Victor nodded curtly, and Sophie, after a final glance toward the estate, drove off. The moment she was out of sight, Victor radioed Alex.
Alex had been reviewing contracts when Victor's voice crackled through the intercom.
"Mr. Grey, Sophie just showed up at the gate."
Alex's jaw clenched. "What did she want?"
"She left something for you—a small box. Said it was a peace offering."
Alex's eyes narrowed, suspicion immediately taking hold. "Don't open it. Bring it to me directly, and I'll handle it."
A few minutes later, Victor entered Alex's study, placing the elegantly wrapped box on the desk. Alex eyed it carefully, his mind racing through the possibilities of what Sophie might be trying to do. Was it another attempt to manipulate him? A bribe? Or something more sinister?
He picked up the box, weighing it in his hands. It felt light, almost too light for anything significant. But Alex knew better than to trust appearances, especially when it came to Sophie.
Isabella entered the room just as Alex was about to unwrap the package. "What's that?" she asked, noticing the gold wrapping paper.
"Something from Sophie," Alex replied, his voice hard. "I'm about to find out what she's playing at."
Isabella's face paled slightly. "Should we be worried?"
"I'm not sure yet," Alex said, carefully pulling at the ribbon. Inside the box was a small glass vial, filled with a shimmering liquid. Attached to it was a note in Sophie's unmistakable handwriting:
"To Alex,
For the memories we shared.
—Sophie"
Alex's eyes darkened as he stared at the vial. "What the hell is this supposed to mean?"
Isabella took a step closer, peering over his shoulder. "Do you think it's dangerous?"
"I wouldn't put it past her," Alex muttered. He picked up his phone and dialed Victor again. "Have someone run a test on this. I want to know what it is."
Victor responded immediately. "I'll take care of it, Mr. Grey.
As Alex and Isabella prepared for the twins, Sophie continued her attempts to reenter Alex's life. She wasn't content with just planting seeds of doubt—she wanted to tear Isabella down, to expose what she believed was the "truth" about their relationship.
Sophie had always believed that Alex was meant to be hers, that no one else could understand him the way she did. To her, Isabella was just a temporary distraction, a woman who could never truly know Alex's depths. And so, Sophie's obsession grew, driving her to darker, more desperate measures.
She began attending events that she knew Alex would be at, appearing at business functions and charity galas, always keeping a respectful distance but ensuring that her presence was noted. Every glance, every smile, every whispered conversation was calculated to make Alex—and those around him—remember her.
At one particular event, a charity auction for a local hospital, Sophie made sure to catch Alex's eye. She wore a sleek, black gown that hugged her figure, her hair falling in perfect waves around her shoulders. As she moved through the crowd, she made sure to pass near Alex, offering him a brief, knowing smile before continuing on her way.
Alex stiffened, his eyes narrowing as he watched her walk away. Isabella, standing beside him, noticed the exchange and followed his gaze.
"She's not going to stop, is she?" Isabella asked quietly.
"No," Alex said, his voice low with frustration. "But that doesn't mean she'll win."
Isabella placed a hand on his arm, grounding him. "She can try all she wants, Alex, but she's already lost. We're stronger than this."
Alex nodded, but the tension in his shoulders remained. He knew Sophie too well to believe that this was the end of it. She was patient, and she knew how to play the long game. But this time, he wasn't going to let her win.
A few days later, the results from the lab came back. The vial that Sophie had delivered contained nothing more than a harmless mixture of essential oils and perfume—an old scent that Sophie used to wear during their relationship. It wasn't dangerous, but the message was clear: Sophie was trying to remind Alex of their past, to rekindle emotions long buried.
"She's playing mind games," Alex muttered, tossing the report onto his desk. "She thinks this will bring me back to her."
Isabella leaned against the doorframe, watching him. "She doesn't understand, Alex. You've moved on. We've moved on."
"I know," Alex said, running a hand through his hair. "But it's not just about her. Ethan's still out there, and I can't shake the feeling that they're connected somehow."
Isabella's face hardened. "You think she's working with him?"
"I don't know," Alex admitted. "But I'm not taking any chances."
As they stood in the dim light of the study, the shadows of their past loomed large, and the threat of Sophie's next move weighed heavily on their minds.