The morning sun was pale and indifferent as Sophie's phone buzzed insistently on the nightstand. Groggy and barely awake, she answered, only to hear a voice that froze her in place.
"Miss Davis, this is Officer Matthews. We need you to come to the station. It's about your father."
Her heart skipped a beat. She hadn't spoken to her father in months, yet the thought of something happening to him sent her mind spiraling.
"What…what happened?" she stammered.
"We need you to identify his body. I'm sorry for your loss."
The words hit her like a punch to the gut. Without thinking, she grabbed her coat and rushed out. Aiden noticed her pale face as she fumbled with the door.
"Sophie, what's wrong?" he asked, concern etched across his features.
"It's my father… He's…he's dead," she managed, her voice breaking.
Aiden didn't hesitate. "I'm coming with you."
At the police station, Sophie's hands trembled as the officer led her to the morgue. Aiden walked beside her, his steady presence grounding her.
The sterile air hit her as they entered the cold room. A white sheet covered a lifeless body on the metal table.
"Are you ready?" the officer asked gently.
Sophie nodded, though her legs felt like jelly. The sheet was pulled back, revealing Jack Davis's face. Bruised and lifeless, he looked nothing like the man she remembered.
"No!" she cried out, stumbling backward. Her vision blurred, and the room spun. Before she could hit the ground, Aiden caught her, holding her close as she lost consciousness.
Sophie woke up in a hospital bed, her head pounding and her heart heavy. The room was quiet, save for the soft murmurs of her friends Zara, Ella, and Kai, who stood by her bedside.
"Where…where is my father?" she asked, her voice hoarse.
Ella rushed to her side. "Sophie, you need to rest—"
"No! I need to see him!" she cried, trying to get up.
Kai placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Sophie, please calm down. You fainted. You need to recover."
But her panic only grew. Tears streamed down her face as she looked around frantically.
At that moment, Aiden entered the room, his face a mixture of worry and determination. Without a word, he walked over and pulled her into his arms.
"It's okay, Sophie," he whispered, his voice steady and soothing. "I'm here. You're not alone."
Her sobs wracked her body as she clung to him. "Why did this happen, Aiden? Why?"
"I don't know," he admitted, stroking her hair. "But I promise we'll find out. You're not facing this alone."
The funeral was held three days later, a somber and quiet affair. Sophie stood by the casket, her hands trembling as she placed a single white lily on top. Despite their strained relationship, Jack Davis had been her father, and she wanted to honor his memory.
As the ceremony progressed, whispers filled the air. Isla and Indira arrived, their faces cold and unfeeling. Sophie stiffened as they approached.
"Well, well," Isla sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. "Pretending to be the grieving daughter, are we?"
"Don't start," Sophie warned, her voice low and shaky.
Indira smirked. "Why not? It's not like you're really part of this family anyway."
Sophie froze. "What are you talking about?"
Isla crossed her arms, a cruel smile on her lips. "You're not my daughter, Sophie. You're the product of your father's affair with his mistress. I raised you because I had no choice, but you were never mine."
The words felt like daggers. Sophie staggered back, her world crumbling around her.
"That's enough," Aiden said sharply, stepping between Sophie and her tormentors. His voice was icy, his presence commanding.
When Isla and Indira refused to leave, Aiden's men appeared, escorting them out forcefully. Sophie watched, her tears falling silently.
Later that day, Sophie sat in the police station, her face pale but determined. She wanted answers.
"Miss Davis," Officer Matthews began, sliding a file across the table. "We've identified a suspect in your father's murder. His name is Richard Blackwell."
Sophie's stomach dropped. The name was all too familiar.
"He's the man my father sold me to," she whispered, her voice trembling.
The officer nodded grimly. "It appears your father tried to cut ties with him. Blackwell didn't take kindly to losing control over you and sought revenge."
Sophie felt a wave of nausea. Her father had died protecting her, a truth that both comforted and haunted her.
As she sat there, processing the information, Aiden entered the room. His expression was dark, his eyes burning with fury.
"This Blackwell," he said coldly. "He won't get away with this."
With Aiden's resources and influence, Richard Blackwell was swiftly apprehended. The once-powerful man now sat behind bars, his empire crumbling under the weight of his crimes.
That evening, Sophie sat alone in her apartment, staring at a photo of her father. Despite everything, she couldn't hate him. He had made terrible choices, but in the end, he had tried to protect her.
Aiden entered the room, his face softening as he saw her tear-streaked face.
"You don't have to do this alone," he said, sitting beside her.
She looked at him, her eyes filled with gratitude and sorrow. "Thank you, Aiden. For everything."
He reached out, taking her hand in his. "Always, Sophie. I'll always be here for you."
As the night wore on, Sophie allowed herself to lean on Aiden, finding solace in his unwavering support. Though her world had been shattered, she knew she wasn't facing it alone.
....