After the wedding, I thought things would finally calm down, but I was wrong. The tension in the mansion only grew thicker with each passing day. **Sophia**'s perfect smile remained, but behind her eyes, I could see the jealousy and resentment boiling over. The air was heavy with secrets, and I knew the storm was far from over.
That evening, I wandered alone in the garden, trying to make sense of everything. I had trusted no one since the wedding. **Logan** had shown signs of protecting me, but his actions were still shrouded in mystery. And then there was **Derek**—the man who always appeared when I felt most uncertain, offering cryptic words that only left me more confused.
"What are you thinking about, **Emma**?" The familiar low voice broke through my thoughts. I turned to see **Derek** standing a few feet away, wearing his usual enigmatic smile.
"I'm wondering," I replied coldly, "why you always show up when I'm feeling lost. What do you want from me?"
He walked toward me, the smile never leaving his face. "Trust, **Emma**. I want your trust."
I scoffed. "Trust? In this family? Is there anyone left who's trustworthy?"
His smile widened, though his eyes darkened. "In this family, trust is a luxury. But I can tell you something you need to know—something about your cousin **Sophia**."
"Sophia?" My heart skipped a beat. **Sophia** had always unsettled me. She seemed polite on the surface, but I could sense her growing bitterness.
"You think she's just jealous?" Derek's voice was low, almost seductive. "She's not just planning petty schemes behind your back. She's aligning herself with others to take you down, and you don't even see it."
"Who?" I stepped closer to him, my heart pounding. "Who is she working with?"
He chuckled softly, as if amused by my naivety. "Wouldn't it be more interesting to find out for yourself? But here's a hint: these people aren't just your enemies. They could also become your allies. If you want to survive this game, you'll need to play smarter than you are now."
I stared at him, torn between suspicion and the undeniable truth in his words. I couldn't ignore **Sophia**'s actions any longer. If she was plotting against me, I needed to know.
"What do you want out of this?" I asked, trying to gauge his intentions.
He stepped even closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "I'm offering you a choice, **Emma**. You need more allies, and I can be one of them. But it's up to you whether you want to dive deeper into this abyss."
A chill ran down my spine. He was right—this family battle was far more complex than I had imagined. I couldn't do this alone. I needed to know more, and maybe I needed **Derek**.
"I'll think about it," I said, the hesitation clear in my voice.
"You will," he replied with a knowing smile, turning and vanishing into the shadows of the garden, leaving me standing there alone.
As the night deepened and the cool breeze rustled the leaves, I shivered. **Derek**'s words echoed in my mind. **Sophia**'s hostility was no longer just a feeling—it was real. She was plotting, and I was her target. But now, I had to find out who she was working with and what she planned to do. I needed to act fast before she made her move.
For the first time, I realized how deeply I was entangled in this dangerous game. I couldn't stay passive anymore. If I didn't act soon, I would be swallowed whole by the forces moving against me.