Sophia stood frozen, her heart pounding in her chest. Gabriel Sterling—her estranged father. The man who had abandoned her and her mother years ago—now stood before her, claiming her in front of everyone.
The room was electric with whispers. All eyes darted between Sophia, Gabriel, and Adrian, each piece of this unexpected puzzle sparking new rumors.
Adrian broke the silence first. "What the hell is going on here?" His voice was sharp, his usual confidence shattered.
Gabriel's icy gaze flicked to Adrian, dismissive and cold. "Adrian Blackwood, I presume? The man who discarded my daughter as if she were nothing."
Sophia swallowed hard, struggling to keep her composure. This wasn't part of the plan. She had prepared for Adrian's wrath, Ethan's charm, even her own determination—but not this.
"Gabriel," she said firmly, stepping forward. "What are you doing here? Why now?"
Gabriel's smile was thin and calculated. "You didn't think I'd let you face all of this alone, did you? After all, blood runs thicker than water."
Her jaw tightened. Blood? The man who had walked out of her life when she was ten now wanted to play the role of a protective father?
"Don't pretend to care," she shot back, her voice low enough for only him to hear. "You're not here for me. You're here for yourself."
Gabriel's smile widened, unbothered by her words. "Perhaps. But does it matter? Together, we're unstoppable."
---
Across the room, Adrian's mind raced. Gabriel Sterling was infamous for his ruthlessness, his ability to destroy anyone who dared cross him. If he was backing Sophia now…
Adrian's stomach churned. He had spent two years trying to forget her, convincing himself that she was nothing but a mistake. But seeing her now, radiant and powerful, he couldn't ignore the truth—he had underestimated her.
And now, she was untouchable.
Or so she thought.
Adrian stepped forward, his voice steady despite the chaos in his head. "Sophia, we need to talk. Privately."
She turned to him, her expression unreadable. "I don't think we have anything to discuss."
"Don't be so sure," he said, his lips curling into a smirk. "I know things about Gabriel that you might find… interesting."
---
Later That Night
Sophia leaned against the balcony railing, the city lights stretching out before her like a sea of stars. The cold air bit at her skin, but she welcomed it. She needed clarity, space to think.
Gabriel's sudden reappearance had thrown everything into disarray. She had worked so hard to rebuild herself, to stand on her own two feet. She didn't need him swooping in like some knight in shining armor.
A soft knock on the balcony door interrupted her thoughts.
"May I join you?" Ethan asked, stepping out without waiting for an answer.
Sophia nodded, grateful for his company.
"You handled tonight well," he said, leaning beside her. "Though I have to admit, I didn't see that twist coming."
"Neither did I," she admitted. "Gabriel Sterling, my father? Feels like a bad joke."
Ethan chuckled, but his tone turned serious. "Are you going to let him help you?"
Sophia hesitated. "I don't trust him. He's up to something."
"Of course he is. Men like Gabriel always have an agenda. But so do you, don't you?"
She glanced at him, a small smile tugging at her lips. "You know me too well."
Ethan reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Just don't lose yourself in all of this, Sophia. You've come too far to let anyone pull you down again."
Before she could respond, her phone buzzed. A message.
She frowned as she read it.
"Meet me at the old manor tonight. You deserve to know the truth. – Gabriel"
Sophia's blood ran cold.
"What is it?" Ethan asked, noticing her expression.
She showed him the message.
"Do you think it's a trap?" he asked.
She shook her head. "No. It's worse.