Chapter 8
Sophie’s heart raced as she rushed to her closet, pulling out clothes and tossing them into her suitcase with shaking hands.
She was done—done with the lies, done with the games. She had tried to ignore the signs, to convince herself that things could get better, but now, she couldn’t pretend anymore.
Adam was hiding something from her, and whatever it was, it wasn’t something she could ignore any longer.
“I’m done,” Sophie muttered to herself, her voice tight with emotion. She grabbed another dress, shoving it into the suitcase. “I’m done pretending.”
The phone buzzed on the bed, but she ignored it. She couldn’t deal with him right now. She had to get out—away from all the lies.
But the phone kept ringing, its shrill sound drilling into her already-frantic mind.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she gave in and glanced at the screen. It was Adam.
Her heart skipped a beat, but she didn’t pick up. She couldn’t—she just couldn’t face him right now.
Instead, she focused on her task, taking each piece of clothing and throwing it into her luggage with mechanical precision.
When she was done, she carried the first suitcase downstairs, her legs heavy with exhaustion but her mind made up. She wasn’t going to let him manipulate her any longer. She was leaving.
One by one, she took the bags downstairs, determined to leave as quietly as possible. No one needed to know. Not yet.
But as she pulled the last suitcase down, Sophie saw one of the maids standing at the foot of the stairs, her phone pressed to her ear.
The maid’s eyes widened when she saw Sophie and quickly looked down, muttering something into the phone. Sophie’s eyes narrowed.
“Is she talking to Adams?” Sophie asked, her voice sharp.
The maid looked guilty, but didn’t answer. Sophie’s blood boiled. This was all a game to them, wasn’t it?
Before the maid could react, Sophie grabbed the phone from her hand and pressed it to her ear.
“What do you want, Adams?” Sophie hissed, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and betrayal.
On the other end, Adams’ voice came through, slightly out of breath. “Sophie… what’s going on? Where are you?”
Sophie’s grip tightened on the phone, her teeth clenched. “Where am I? I’m leaving, Adams. I’m done. I’ve had enough of your lies and your secrets.”
There was a pause, and then his voice softened, almost pleading. “Sophie, don’t do this. Let’s talk. Please.”
“No,” Sophie snapped. “There’s nothing left to talk about. You’ve made it clear what kind of man you are.”
Before Adams could respond, Sophie disconnected the call. She tossed the phone at Vivian and turned to grab her luggages out.
But just as she reached the door, it swung open—Adams rushed in, breathing heavily, his suit disheveled and his expression frantic.
“Sophie, stop,” he said, grabbing her arm and pulling her back. “Don’t do this. We can talk this through.”
Sophie jerked away from him, her heart pounding in her chest. “Talk? After everything? You’re not even trying to explain, Adams. You’ve been lying to me for God knows how long. I’m done!”
His face softened, his eyes desperate. “I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you. Please, let me explain. I love you, Sophie.”
Sophie’s heart wavered for a moment, but she quickly squashed the thought. “Don’t. Don’t even try to make this about us, Adams. You’ve had your chance. Now it’s my turn.”
She turned back to the door, her hand on the handle. “I’m leaving. I want a divorce.”
Adams stood frozen for a moment, then stepped forward, his voice breaking. “Sophie, stop this nonsense!”
Sophie’s eyes filled with tears, but she held her ground. “Nonsense?”
With that, she raced to the door and opened the door, ready to leave behind the man she thought she knew, ready to take control of her life again, when he suddenly grabbed her hand, pulling her back forcefully.
