The weekend had arrived, and with it, a sense of unease settled over Sophie. Aiden had insisted she accompany him to a high-profile function, though it was clear she wasn't thrilled about the idea. Despite her reluctance, Sophie found herself in a luxurious ballroom, her arm linked with Aiden's, feeling more like a prisoner than a guest.
Sophie had been hoping to avoid any interactions with her family, but fate had other plans. As she walked into the grand hall, her eyes immediately landed on her mother, Isla, and her sister, Indira. The tension between them was palpable. Sophie's heart sank. She hadn't seen them in years, and now, in this very moment, all the years of hurt came flooding back.
She approached them cautiously, hoping for some semblance of warmth, but was met with cold indifference.
"Sophie," Indira sneered, barely acknowledging her. "You're still here, I see. Thought you'd have grown out of this phase by now."
Sophie flinched at her sister's harsh words, her chest tightening. "Mom... I just wanted to talk," Sophie murmured, her voice shaky.
But Isla, her mother, simply turned away, as if Sophie wasn't even there. It was as though all those years of absence had erased any sense of connection. Sophie's throat constricted with unshed tears, but she fought to stay composed.
Aiden, who had been watching the exchange, narrowed his eyes. Sophie had been so caught up in her family's rejection that she hadn't noticed him standing by her side, tense and brooding. His attention was fixed on Indira, who had been trying to get his attention ever since they entered the room.
Indira was doing her best to charm Aiden, batting her eyelashes and laughing a little too loudly. But Aiden didn't seem to care. He kept his distance, ignoring her attempts, his gaze shifting to Sophie whenever she wasn't looking. Sophie, on the other hand, tried to make the best of the evening by talking to a few men she knew from her past, just to keep her mind off the pain she was feeling.
But as she laughed and engaged in conversation, she couldn't help but feel a shift in the air. Aiden's eyes had darkened, and his body had tensed. It wasn't lost on Sophie that Aiden was watching her every move.
She looked at him, only to find him glaring at the men around her. She hadn't realized how jealous he could be. He hadn't said anything, but the way he was looking at her made her heart race. She had to admit, there was something intoxicating about his jealousy, though it wasn't the healthy kind. He had always been possessive, but now, it felt more intense.
As the night wore on, Aiden's behavior became more erratic. Sophie noticed that he had been drinking more than usual, his steps unsteady as he stumbled over to her.
"Sophie," he slurred, grabbing her wrist with more force than necessary. "Come with me."
Before Sophie could protest, Aiden was dragging her away from the crowd, his grip unyielding. The room seemed to spin as he pulled her toward a secluded area. Sophie's mind raced—what was happening?
Indira, who had been watching the two of them closely, saw an opportunity. She had been waiting for a moment like this. As Aiden and Sophie disappeared from view, she followed them discreetly, hoping to take advantage of the situation. But Sophie, sensing Indira's intentions, kept a close watch on her. She had no intention of letting Indira get too close.
When Aiden led her into a quiet room, he locked the door behind them. Sophie's heart was pounding in her chest as she turned to face him. His breath was heavy, and his eyes were glassy with alcohol.
"You've been making me jealous all night," he muttered, his voice low and possessive. "You shouldn't be talking to other men. You're mine."
Before Sophie could respond, Aiden moved closer, his hands grabbing at her waist. She pushed him away weakly, trying to regain control of the situation. "Aiden, stop. You're drunk."
But Aiden wasn't listening. He was far too gone, his desires taking over his better judgment. He forced her onto the bed, and Sophie, terrified and helpless, struggled to break free. But the more she fought, the more he tightened his grip.
Sophie's heart ached, but in that moment, there was nothing she could do. Aiden's forceful advances left her no room to escape, and despite her protests, he took what he wanted. It wasn't love. It wasn't care. It was an overwhelming force of desire and power. And once again, Sophie found herself lost to him.
The next morning, Sophie woke up in a daze, the remnants of last night's events weighing heavily on her. Aiden was still asleep beside her, his chest rising and falling with steady breaths. She couldn't look at him, couldn't understand what had happened.
But deep down, Sophie knew. She had always known that Aiden's love wasn't the kind that could set her free. It was possessive, controlling, and destructive. Yet, no matter how much she tried to fight it, she couldn't break away from him.
Later that day, as she returned to her room, she couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. It was then that she saw the look on Indira's face when she entered the room. The jealousy was clear in her eyes, and Sophie could feel the animosity radiating off her sister.
But Sophie was too drained to respond. She knew Indira was just waiting for the right moment to strike.
Later that evening, as Sophie sat in her room, trying to gather her thoughts, she heard a soft knock at the door. But before she could get up, she heard the sound of a phone ringing. It was coming from Indira's room.
Sophie's curiosity got the best of her, and she quietly made her way to the hallway. She stopped outside Indira's room, hearing her voice on the other side of the door. She couldn't help but eavesdrop.
Indira's voice was low, almost whispering. "Yes, I'm sure she's vulnerable now... I'll take care of her soon. Just make sure everything's ready. It won't be long before she cracks. We'll make her wish she never came back."
Sophie's heart skipped a beat. She had heard enough. Indira was plotting something—something dangerous. Sophie backed away slowly, her mind racing. She had no idea what Indira was planning, but she knew it couldn't be good.
As she retreated to her room, her thoughts were clouded with fear. Indira was no longer just a jealous sister. She had become a threat.
...