Valerie paced around her dimly lit room, the sound of her heels clicking sharply against the hardwood floor echoing in the silence. The walls felt like they were closing in on her, each step fueled by a whirlwind of thoughts racing through her mind.
She could almost feel the heat of Alex's gaze when he saw Sophia, the way his eyes lit up with recognition and warmth. It was infuriating, a constant reminder of how close she had come to losing everything she desired.
"Damn you, Sophia," she muttered under her breath, her fists clenching tightly at her sides. "I could have sworn I had taken care of you... But you're just like a cockroach, aren't you? Hard to kill and always lurking around."
She paused, staring out the window at the sprawling city below, the twinkling lights resembling stars scattered across a dark canvas. The view was breathtaking, yet it felt tainted by her bitterness.
