The Harper estate buzzed with the hum of staff preparing for another day, but Sophie remained in her room, the curtains drawn and her coffee untouched on the nightstand. Her gaze rested on the documents Ethan had shown her, now carefully hidden beneath layers of clothing in her suitcase. Each word, each damning detail, felt like a weight pressing on her chest.
She had what she needed to expose Maxwell Harper, but the cost of doing so was becoming painfully clear. If the truth came out, it wouldn't just ruin Maxwell—it would destroy Daniel, the man she was supposed to marry in two days. And yet, the longer she stayed silent, the more complicit she became.
The sound of a soft knock at the door jolted her from her thoughts. Sophie quickly slid the documents deeper into her suitcase before opening the door to find Daniel standing there, his tie slightly askew and his brow furrowed.
"Good morning," he said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. "You missed breakfast."
"Sorry," Sophie said, forcing a smile. "I wasn't feeling very hungry."
Daniel studied her, his expression softening as he reached out to brush a strand of hair from her face. "You've been so quiet lately. I'm starting to worry."
Her chest tightened. "I'm fine, really."
Daniel tilted his head, his hand lingering on her cheek. "You don't have to keep everything bottled up, you know. I'm here for you."
The sincerity in his voice made her want to cry. She wanted to believe him, to trust that he would stand by her no matter what. But the secrets she carried felt too big, too dangerous.
"I know," she said softly, stepping closer. Her arms slipped around his waist, and she rested her head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
Daniel held her tightly, his lips pressing a gentle kiss to her temple. "Whatever's going on, we'll get through it together."
Sophie closed her eyes, her guilt swelling. He had no idea what she was hiding, and she didn't know how much longer she could keep it from him.
Later that afternoon, Sophie wandered the grounds of the estate, hoping the fresh air would clear her mind. She passed by the fountain in the garden, its trickling water a soothing backdrop to her restless thoughts. But even the beauty of the surroundings couldn't quiet the storm brewing inside her.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Ethan's voice came from behind her.
She turned to find him leaning against a tree, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable. "Do you ever get tired of lurking?" she asked, her tone sharper than intended.
Ethan smirked. "Not when the company's this interesting."
Sophie sighed, crossing her arms. "What do you want, Ethan?"
"To make sure you're not backing out," he said, his tone turning serious. "You have everything you need to take Maxwell down. Don't lose your nerve now."
Her stomach twisted. "It's not that simple."
"Isn't it?" Ethan pushed off the tree and stepped closer. "You've seen the kind of man he is. You know what he's capable of. Do you really want to marry into that?"
"I'm not doing this for Maxwell," Sophie snapped. "I'm doing it for Daniel."
Ethan's jaw tightened, his usual smugness fading. "Daniel doesn't need protecting, Sophie. He needs the truth."
Her chest tightened at his words. "You don't understand. This will destroy him."
"And what happens when the lies come out anyway?" Ethan countered. "Because they will. And when they do, he'll hate you for keeping them from him."
Sophie looked away, her hands trembling. "I'm trying to protect him."
"Maybe," Ethan said, his voice softening. "Or maybe you're trying to protect yourself."
The words hit her like a blow, and she hated how much truth they carried. She turned on her heel, walking away before Ethan could say anything else.
That evening, Charlotte Harper called a family meeting in the grand dining room. Sophie sat beside Daniel, her hands clasped tightly in her lap as Maxwell took his place at the head of the table. Charlotte stood beside him, her gaze sweeping over everyone with practiced authority.
"The final preparations for the wedding are in place," Charlotte began. "Everything must go perfectly. This union is not just about Sophie and Daniel—it's about solidifying the Harper legacy."
Her words made Sophie's stomach churn. She glanced at Daniel, who was nodding along, seemingly oblivious to the underlying implications. Across the table, Ethan caught her eye, his expression dark.
"As for the press," Charlotte continued, "we've ensured they'll have the right narrative. Any... distractions will be swiftly dealt with."
Sophie's chest tightened. The subtle threat in Charlotte's tone wasn't lost on her. She felt Ethan's gaze on her, as though he were silently daring her to speak up. But the words caught in her throat, and she remained silent.
When the meeting ended, Sophie lingered behind, her thoughts a chaotic mess. As the others filed out, Maxwell approached her, his smile as polished as ever.
"Sophie," he said, his tone warm but calculated. "A word?"
She forced a smile, nodding. "Of course."
Maxwell gestured for her to follow him into his study. The room felt heavier than before, the walls closing in as he closed the door behind them. He poured himself a glass of scotch, his movements deliberate as he turned to face her.
"I hope you're settling in well," Maxwell said, his voice smooth. "It's not easy, becoming part of a family like ours."
"I'm managing," Sophie replied, her voice steady despite her nerves.
Maxwell studied her for a moment, his gaze sharp. "Good. Because this family requires loyalty above all else. I trust you understand that."
Her breath caught, but she nodded. "Of course."
"Excellent," Maxwell said, his smile widening. "Then I'm sure we'll have no problems."
Sophie forced herself to hold his gaze, even as unease coiled in her stomach. She left the study as quickly as she could, her heart racing.
That night, Sophie sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the documents hidden in her suitcase. The weight of her decision pressed down on her, every option feeling like a betrayal.
Her phone buzzed, and she picked it up to find a text from Ethan: If you don't act soon, Maxwell will.
Sophie's chest tightened. The truth was closing in, and she was running out of time. She had to choose: loyalty or justice, love or truth. Either way, the storm was coming.