Chapter 7: The Breaking Point

Sophia’s POV

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I woke up with a weight on my chest, a feeling I couldn’t shake.

Serena.

I had felt her rage last night, saw it in her eyes, the way she looked at me like I was the enemy. And I knew—this wasn’t over.

It was just beginning.

I got ready for work as usual, trying to act normal, but my mind was clouded with unease. The house felt too quiet, like something was missing.

When I walked into the kitchen, Mom was already there, sipping her coffee. She looked up at me and frowned. “You look tired, sweetheart.”

I forced a smile. “Didn’t sleep well.”

She studied me for a moment before sighing. “Serena already left for work?”

I blinked. “She… she’s not home?”

Mom shook her head. “No. I thought she left early.”

A cold wave washed over me.

Serena never left early.

I tried to ignore the knot in my stomach, but it only grew tighter as I drove to work. The entire ride, my mind raced with possibilities. Where was she? What was she planning?

By the time I arrived at the office, my hands were shaking. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself before stepping inside.

But when I got to my desk, the real panic set in.

Serena wasn’t here.

And no one had seen her.

I sat down, my heart thudding in my chest. My mind swarmed with thoughts, each one darker than the last.

Was she avoiding me? Was she planning something?

I tried to focus on work, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.

And then, a familiar voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

“Hey, Sophia.”

I looked up. Danny.

His warm smile was like a brief moment of relief, but I knew he could see the tension on my face.

“You okay?” he asked, stepping closer.

I hesitated. “Yeah… just work stress.”

Danny’s brows furrowed. “Are you sure? You seem… distracted.”

I forced a laugh. “I’m fine, really.”

He studied me for a second before nodding slowly. “Serena’s not at work today?”

I stiffened. “No.”

“Is she okay?”

I swallowed. “Yeah. She’s probably just taking a day off.”

I wasn’t even convincing myself.

Danny hesitated, as if sensing something was off, but then he smiled. “Wanna go out for lunch?”

I exhaled, relieved.

“Yes,” I said quickly. “I think I need that.”

I needed something—anything—to get my mind off Serena.

But even as I smiled at Danny, I knew the truth.

She wasn’t just taking a day off.

She was planning something.

And I wasn’t ready for whatever it was.

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A Dangerous Game

Lunch with Danny was supposed to help, but my mind was elsewhere.

Even as we sat across from each other, even as he reached for my hand, all I could think about was Serena.

Where was she? What was she doing?

“Sophia?”

Danny’s voice snapped me back to reality.

I looked up, realizing I had barely touched my food.

“Sorry,” I mumbled. “I’m just a little out of it today.”

He gave me a soft smile. “Is this about Serena?”

I stiffened. “What?”

“You’ve been acting weird since this morning.” He leaned in, his thumb brushing against my hand. “Is she mad at you?”

I hesitated.

What could I even say? Yeah, Danny, my twin sister hates me because I stole you from her, and now I think she’s plotting my downfall.

I forced a smile. “We just had a small argument, that’s all.”

Danny’s eyes darkened slightly. “Did it have to do with me?”

I swallowed. “Danny—”

“I don’t want to come between you two,” he said gently. “I know how much she means to you.”

I felt something tighten in my chest.

If only he knew.

Before I could answer, my phone buzzed.

I grabbed it, heart pounding.

A text.

From Serena.

You should be more careful, Sophia. You never know when something might go terribly wrong.

I felt the blood drain from my face.

Danny noticed immediately. “What’s wrong?”

I shoved my phone into my bag. “Nothing. Just work.”

But inside, I was screaming.

What was she planning?

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A Sister’s Wrath

I barely made it through the rest of the day. Every second felt like a ticking time bomb.

By the time I got home, my nerves were shot.

The house was dark, too quiet.

I stepped inside cautiously, my heart hammering against my ribs.

I flicked on the lights.

Nothing.

Just the same quiet house.

I exhaled, rubbing my temples. Maybe I was overthinking this. Maybe Serena really had just needed space.

But then I noticed it.

A single red rose, lying on the kitchen counter.

My breath hitched.

Next to it, a note.

I picked it up with shaky hands.

Did you really think you could take everything from me and get away with it?

A chill ran down my spine.

My mind screamed at me to run.

But before I could move, I heard the soft click of a door behind me.

I turned slowly.

Serena stood there, her arms crossed, a cold smile on her lips.

She had been waiting.

“Hello, Sophia,” she said softly.

The air felt thick, suffocating.

She took a slow step forward, her eyes gleaming with something dark, something dangerous.

“You look nervous,” she whispered.

I swallowed hard. “Where were you today?”

She tilted her head. “Why? Did you miss me?”

I clenched my fists. “Serena—”

“You stole him.”

Her voice was calm, too calm.

I took a step back. “That’s not true.”

She laughed, shaking her head. “Oh, Sophia. You always think you’re the better one, don’t you?”

“That’s not what this is about—”

“Oh, but it is.”

She stepped closer. I could see the fury in her eyes now, barely restrained.

“You took everything from me,” she whispered. “And now… it’s my turn.”

I couldn’t breathe.

She smiled sweetly, her voice a soft hum.

“You should be more careful, Soph.”

And then—

She turned and walked away, her footsteps eerily quiet.

I stood frozen, my heart racing, my hands trembling.

She wasn’t done.

Not even close.

And I had no idea what she was going to do next.

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Final Question: What happens when a sister’s love turns into pure hatred?