Chapter 3

Sophie sat on the worn-out couch in the dimly lit living room, her hands trembling as she held an ice pack to Lucas’s swollen cheek. He winked slightly but didn’t complain. Claire was in the kitchen, silently smoking another cigarette, her presence a heavy tension in the air.

A knock at the door surprised Sophie, and for a moment, she froze. Another threat? Another neighbor with harsh words?

“Sophie, it’s me,” a familiar voice called from the other side.

Relief washed over her as she hurried to open the door. Alicia stood there, her face lit with concern. Her caramel-colored curls were tied back in a messy bun, and she was still wearing her work uniform from the cafe down the street.

“I heard what happened,” Alicia said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. Her eyes scanned the room, landing on Lucas. “Oh my God, Lucas... are you okay?”

Lucas gave a faint nod, avoiding her gaze. “I’m fine.”

Alicia turned to Sophie, her worry deepening when she saw her friend’s pale, face. “Sophie, what the hell is going on? Mrs. Ramirez told me everything. Debt collectors? Beating up your brother?”

Sophie swallowed hard, her composure defeating her. She’d spent years trying to appear strong, holding her family together power, but tonight had pushed her too far.

“I’m fine,” she muttered, her voice barely audible.

“No, you’re not,” Alicia said firmly, taking Sophie’s hands in hers. “Stop pretending. You don’t have to be fine all the time.”

The words broke something in Sophie. Her lips shrinked, and she let out a sob before collapsing into Alicia’s arms. The tears came fast and uncontrollable, years of frustration, fear, and pain pouring out all at once.

Alicia held her tightly, rubbing her back soothingly. “It’s okay,” she whispered. “Let it out.”

“I... I can’t do this anymore,” Sophie gasped between sobs. “It’s always me. Always me trying to fix everything, clean up her messes, protect Lucas... I’m so tired, Alicia.”

Alicia pulled back just enough to look Sophie in the eyes. “You’ve been carrying too much for too long. You’re allowed to feel this way. But you’re not alone, okay? You have me.”

Sophie nodded weakly, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her shirt. Since highschool she had carried everything on her shoulder, always have a high blood pressure.

Alicia glanced toward the kitchen where Claire was hidden in the shadows, the cigarette in her hand. “Your mom—”

“Don’t,” Sophie interrupted, her voice sharp despite her tears. “She’s not going to change. She never has.”

Alicia hesitated but didn’t push further. Instead, she guided Sophie back to the couch and sat beside her. “You’ve been through too much,” she said softly.

Sophie let out a shaky breath, remembering her unfortunate fate. “When Dad left... everything fell apart. He didn’t just leave us. He left us with nothing. The house, the savings—gone. Mom wasn’t always like this, but after he left, she just gave up. She started drinking, then the gambling started. And Lucas... he was just a kid. He didn’t understand why Dad wasn’t coming back. I had to be the parent, the provider, everything. I was barely sixteen.”

Alicia listened quietly, her heart breaking for her friend. She also had her issues but it wasn't as tough as Sophie's own and she was happy she opened up to her today.

“And every time I think we’re finally getting out of the hole, something pulls us back down,” Sophie continued. “Like tonight.” She gestured toward Lucas, who was pretending to be reading a book.

Alicia reached out, taking Sophie’s hand again. “You’re the strongest person I know, Sophie. But even the strongest people need help sometimes. Let me help you.”

Sophie shook her head. “There’s nothing you can do, Alicia. The debt collectors... they won’t just go away. I don’t even know how much Mom owes them anymore.”

“Then we’ll figure it out together,” Alicia said firmly. “You’ve always been there for everyone else. It’s time someone was there for you.”

For the first time in years, Sophie allowed herself to lean on someone else, the weight of her burdens easing. She now had a job and the thought of her that also reduced the tension.

"Gist me about, Adrian Steele. How was he?"

Alicia said as Sophie got her a cup of coffee before, diving into the story.

***********

Adrian stepped into his penthouse, the city lights shining through the windows. This was the only place he allowed himself to breathe, to exist without pretense or expectation.

He tossed his jacket onto the couch and loosened his tie, his mind burdening on the mysterious message. The weight of the day hung on him like a second skin, but here, in his penthouse, he could push it aside.

Crossing the living room, he made his way to his bedroom, ready to go to sleep. He opened the door and froze.

**********

Adrian’s pulse tightened as he stepped closer to the bed, his sharp eyes catching movement just under the blanket. At first, he thought it might have been a trick of the light—the city’s glow casting strange illusions. But then he heard it: a pleasuring voice of a familiar female.

His chest tightened as he rounded the corner to get a full view of the bed.

There they were.

Nina, his girlfriend of two years, lay tangled in the sheets, her face flushed, her hair a mess. And beside her, with a smug expression, was none other than Ethan Blackwell—Adrian’s oldest rival and the man he despised most in the world.

The air seemed to leave the room, replaced by a suffocating silence. Adrian’s fists clenched at his sides, his mind struggling to process the betrayal before him.

Nina’s eyes widened in shock as she noticed him standing there. “Adrian... I can explain—”

“Explain?” Adrian’s voice was low, cold, and dangerous. His gaze moved between her and Ethan, who didn’t even bother to look ashamed. Instead, Ethan leaned back against the pillows, a mocking smirk playing on his lips.

“Nice place you’ve got here, Steele,” Ethan said casually, as if this were a business meeting and not a betrayal of the kind. “Though I have to admit, the company’s been far more interesting than the decor.”

Adrian’s jaw tightened, the veins in his neck standing out as he fought to contain the storm of emotions within him. Anger. Hurt. Humiliation.

“You have five seconds to get out of my house,” Adrian shouted, his voice so sharp it could pierce anything.

Nina the lady he thought was different from others, was on his bed with another man. How could everyone do this to him?

Nina struggled to sit up, clutching the sheets to her chest. “Adrian, please, it’s not what it looks like—”

Ethan chuckled, sliding out of bed with ease. “Oh, it’s exactly what it looks like. But don’t take it personal. Business and pleasure, Steele. You understand how it works.”

Adrian’s glare could have burned through stone as he watched Ethan retrieve his shirt and shoes with a nonchalant attitude. Ethan paused at the door, turning back with one final smirk.

“See you around, Steele.”

The door clicked shut, leaving Adrian alone with Nina. She stood, reaching for him, her voice trembling. “Adrian, I swear, it was a mistake, I—”

“Don’t.” His single word cut through like a whip, freezing her in place.

Adrian’s gaze was ice-cold as he stepped back, his voice low and with venom. “You made your choice, Nina. Now, get out.”

“Adrian, please—”

“Get. Out.”

Nina hesitated for a moment, before turning away. Grabbing her clothes, she rushed out, the sound of the door slamming behind her echoing in the silence.

Adrian stood alone in the room, his body shivering with betrayal. His fists tightened, his nails leaving scars on his palms. The pain hardened him, but it did nothing to soften the bitter ache in his chest.

He called one of his maid to get rid of the bed, before stepping out of the room.

If they thought this would break him, they were wrong. Nina shouldn't have done that to him?