CHAPTER 2

Sophia Washington

I closed my eyes, praying that what I’d just seen wasn’t real. But it was.

When I opened them, the tears came fast, blurring my vision as Derick scrambled to pull on his pants. The woman on the bed made no effort to cover herself, her red lips curving into an infuriating smirk.

“I can explain,” Derick stammered, his voice shaky as he stepped closer to me. “Sophia, just listen—”

“Explain?” I snapped, my voice breaking. “What’s there to explain, Derick? How could you? We had plans! We were supposed to get married!”

“I know, I know, but—” He ran a hand through his hair, his voice lowering. “It just happened, okay? It didn’t mean anything. I was going to tell you…”

“Tell me?!” I screamed, tears streaming down my face. “You were going to tell me you’ve been sleeping with someone else? After everything we’ve been through?”

“I—” He hesitated, his eyes darting to the woman still lounging on the bed. “Sophia, come on, don’t make this a bigger deal than it needs to be.”

“A bigger deal?!” My voice cracked as I slapped him across the face, anger and heartbreak pouring out of me. “You think this isn’t a big deal? Derick, I have done everything for us! I gave you everything!”

“Yeah, well, maybe that’s the problem,” he muttered under his breath, the words barely audible but cutting like a knife.

I froze, staring at him. “What did you just say?”

“Nothing,” he said quickly, but when I didn’t look away, he sighed, his tone growing sharper. “You want to hear it? Fine. Sophia, you’re… boring, okay? All you do is work and stress. I’m a man—I have needs!”

My chest tightened, the air feeling too thick to breathe. “You can’t be serious…”

“Look, I love you, but…” He gestured helplessly. “I’m tired. You’re always working, always worrying about the next bill or the next meal. And yeah, your stepmother and stepsisters threw you out, but it’s not my job to fix your life, Sophia.”

I staggered back as if he’d hit me, the weight of his words crushing me. “I can’t believe you’re saying this,” I whispered. “After everything I’ve done for you—after everything we’ve been through—”

“That’s just it, Sophia!” he snapped, his voice rising. “It’s always about what you’ve done, what you’ve given up. You want a gold star for working at a café and paying bills? Congratulations! But I need more than that. And let’s face it, you can’t even give me a family!”

The final blow. My legs felt like they might give out as I stared at him, my tears falling freely.

“Don’t you dare,” I said, my voice shaking with fury. “I work ten-hour shifts every day. I clean, I cook, I pay for everything. You’ve never lifted a finger, Derick. Not for me. Not for us.”

“And maybe that’s why this doesn’t work,” he shot back, crossing his arms. “You’re too… desperate. Too much. Look at you! Twenty-six and still clinging to someone like me. You should’ve seen this coming, Sophia. It’s been over for a long time.”

I looked at the woman on the bed, her smug expression making my blood boil. Then back at Derick—the man I thought I knew, the man I thought loved me.

“You’re right,” I said quietly, my voice hollow. “It’s over.”

I pushed past him, grabbing my bag with shaky hands. My chest heaved with suppressed sobs as I stuffed my clothes and a few essentials inside.

“Where do you think you’re going, huh?” he sneered. “You don’t have any money. You don’t have anyone. What’s your plan, Sophia?”

I straightened, glaring at him through my tears. “Don’t worry about me. I’d rather sleep on the street than spend another second with someone like you.”

“Oh, come on,” he said, his voice dripping with mockery. “You’ve got nothing, Sophia. Twenty-six and used up. Who’s going to want you now?”

I turned to him one last time, my jaw tight. “Someone better than you.”

With that, I walked out, slamming the door behind me. My tears blurred the world as I stepped into the cold night air, clutching my bag tightly.

But the truth was, I had nowhere to go.

I rushed through the streets, keeping my head low and my arms wrapped tightly around my bag. The air was thick with smoke, laughter, and the sound of distant music, but none of it felt safe. This part of town had a reputation—a notorious one—and I had no choice but to pass through.

“Hey, sweetheart! What’s a pretty thing like you doing out here?”

A group of men leaned against a crumbling wall, cigarettes dangling from their lips.

“Come on, baby. Ten bucks, and I’ll show you a good time,” one of them jeered, his voice dripping with mockery.

Another whistled, the sound sharp and grating. Others called out, their words blending into a wave of catcalls and laughter.

I kept moving, quickening my pace. My heart pounded as I fought the urge to run. Running would make it worse. Running would make me prey.

I didn’t breathe until I was clear of the street, my legs trembling as I stumbled into a quieter, darker alley. The air was cold, and for a moment, I leaned against a wall, clutching my chest.

What now?

I had nowhere to go. No money. No home. And the weight of it all pressed down on me, suffocating and heavy.

Where would I sleep tonight?

Just as I moved forward, a dazzling light caught my eye—Neon Place, glowing like a beacon against the dark street.

It was a brothel. The realization made my stomach churn, but hesitation wasn't a luxury I could afford.

I forced my feet to move, one step at a time, toward the glowing entrance. My pulse quickened as I reached for the handle.

"I can do this," I whispered to myself, gripping it tighter.

This wasn’t my first time walking into the unknown. I could handle this. I had to.

With a deep breath, I pushed the door open.

The air inside was thick with smoke and perfume, a stark contrast to the chill outside. And standing right in front of me, as if he had been waiting, was a man. His eyes locked onto mine, sharp and piercing, like he already knew why I was here.

“Welcome,” he said, his voice deep and steady, sending a shiver down my spine.