Chapter 57
Sophie gripped the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles turning white as the car pulled away from the chaos outside the hospital.
The reporters swarmed Brenda, their flashing cameras and incessant questions reducing her to a tearful mess. Sophie spared Adam a quick glance, her vision blurred by the tears she could no longer hold back.
“I’m so sorry,” she choked out, her voice trembling. “Adam, I… I doubted you. I believed her over you.”
Adam reached over, placing a steady hand on hers. “Sophie, it’s okay,” he said softly. “You had every reason to doubt me. I wasn’t honest with you. I should’ve told you the truth from the beginning.”
Sophie shook her head, tears streaming down her face. “No, Adam. If you had told me, I wouldn’t have understood. I would’ve overreacted and made everything worse.”
A small, sad smile tugged at Adam’s lips. “Well, I guess we’re both guilty then. I kept secrets, and you believed lies. Great pair, huh?”
Despite herself, Sophie let out a weak laugh through her tears. “We’re a mess.”
Adam chuckled, the sound easing some of the tension in the car. “Yeah, but at least we’re an honest mess now.”
Sophie swiped at her tears and glanced at him, her voice barely above a whisper. “Thank you, Adam. For fighting for us. For not giving up.”
He nodded, his hand still resting on hers. “Always.”
They drove in silence for a while, the weight of everything that had happened settling between them.
After a while, Adam turned to her. “Let me take over,” he said, gently prying her fingers off the wheel.
Sophie didn’t protest. She slid into the passenger seat as Adam walked around and took the wheel. “You’ve been through enough today,” he said as he started the car again.
Sophie leaned her head against the window, fresh tears sliding down her cheeks. “Adam, I’m scared. What if this doesn’t fix things? What if Brenda—”
Adam cut her off firmly. “It’s over, Sophie. Brenda’s lies are exposed. The world knows the truth now.”
She nodded but didn’t respond. By the time they pulled into Alex’s driveway, she was too drained to move. Adam turned off the engine and got out, circling to her side. He opened the door and extended a hand.
“Come on,” he said gently.
Sophie hesitated before taking his hand. Her legs felt like jelly as she stepped out of the car, and Adam wrapped an arm around her waist to steady her. “You’re exhausted,” he said, guiding her toward the door.
Once inside, Sophie sighed, glancing up at him. “You should stay here tonight. Reporters will probably be all over your place and the company. It’s not safe.”
Adam shook his head. “I’ll be fine, Sophie. I’ll come see you first thing in the morning.”
She looked at him, her lips trembling. “Promise?”
“Promise,” he said, his voice firm.
Before she could say another word, Adam leaned in and kissed her softly, his lips lingering on hers. When he finally pulled away, Sophie’s heart was pounding.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he murmured.
As he turned to leave, a voice interrupted them.
“Well, isn’t this touching,” Alex drawled from the hallway.
Adam turned briefly, his expression unreadable, before walking out without a word.
Sophie turned to Alex, her face still flushed from the kiss. “Alex—”
He cut her off, his eyes narrowing. “Did you ask him?”
“Ask him what?” Sophie asked, confused.
“Why he made a bet on you in college,” Alex said, his voice cold and sharp.
Sophie’s breath caught in her throat. Her eyes widened, and for a moment, she couldn’t find the words to respond.
“Alex…”
“You should ask him,” Alex muttered and disappeared down the hallway.
