Chapter 30
Sophie’s heart skipped a beat The moment she saw Brenda at the door instead of Adam.
Really?! She thought to herself.
Suddenly, Brenda’s surprise turned into a smug.
Brenda’s smug smile was wide, too wide, as she gestured for Sophie to come inside. Without hesitation, she led the way, her high heels clicking against the marble floor.
“Welcome,” Brenda purred, her tone sweet and mocking all at once. “Do come in.”
Sophie felt Alex tighten his grip on her shoulder as they stepped inside. She wasn’t sure what had possessed her to show up here with him, but there was something satisfying about confronting both Brenda and Adam at the same time.
Yet, she hadn’t expected this—this cozy little dinner set up between Brenda and Adam.
The table had been set perfectly, lit with candles, wine glasses filled, and two plates of steaming food in front of each chair. It was as though they’d planned a romantic evening. Sophie felt her stomach churn in disgust.
Brenda’s eyes glimmered as she turned to Adam, a wicked smile playing on her lips. “Oh, Adam, our guest has arrived,” she said sweetly, before flicking a glance over her shoulder at Alex and Sophie.
Adam’s jaw dropped as he took in Sophie and Alex standing side by side. He looked as though he’d just been punched in the stomach.
His eyes darted between Sophie and Alex, his expression one of shock and sheer disbelief.
“Wait—what’s going on?” Adam demanded, his voice tight as he rose up from the dinner chair. His hands shook slightly as he pointed toward Alex. “Alex? What are you doing here? With Sophie?”
Before Sophie could respond, Alex stepped forward, his posture relaxed but firm. He placed a hand firmly on Sophie’s shoulder, his eyes locking with Adam’s.
“Adam,” Alex said smoothly, his voice calm but laced with authority, “Sophie and I are together. And frankly, you’ve made this divorce process a complete mess. The sooner you agree to finalize it, the sooner Sophie and I can plan our wedding.”
Adam’s mouth opened and closed as he tried to formulate a response. He stumbled back a step, his face pale, disbelief etched all over it. His mind raced, struggling to process what was happening. Sophie and Alex? Together?
“You—you’re serious?” Adam managed to stutter, his eyes flickering between the two of them. His hands clenched into fists at his sides. “You’ve already moved on?”
Alex didn’t flinch under Adam’s gaze. His voice hardened slightly. “We didn’t exactly plan this, Adam. But the way you’ve handled everything, I think it’s high time you finalized it.”
Sophie shut her eyes. Alex was taking everything too personal. That wasn’t why they were there.
Brenda stood to the side, smirking as she crossed her arms over her chest. The smug expression never left her face. “You were so concerned with your little deal, Adam,” Brenda said, voice dripping with sarcasm, “that you didn’t realize Sophie had other options.”
Adam shot Brenda a seething glare but quickly turned his attention back to Sophie. His eyes were desperate now, like a cornered animal. “You were mine, Sophie! You belong with me!”
Sophie tilted her head, her gaze calm but firm. “No, Adam,” she said coolly, her voice steady. “I never belonged to you. You just liked the idea of controlling me.”
Adam’s hands balled into fists at his sides, his knuckles turning white. His chest heaved as he struggled to maintain some semblance of control. His eyes darted to Alex, as if Alex was the enemy here. “And you—you think you can just step in and take everything? Who the hell do you think you are?”
Alex stepped closer to Sophie, his presence steady and unwavering. His tone was cool but firm. “I’m the man who’s not going to let you destroy Sophie’s life any further,” Alex said pointedly. “If you cared about her at all, you would have finalized this divorce without any drama. But you chose to use it as leverage to keep control.”
Adam’s face twisted with rage, his mouth opening and closing as if searching for a comeback.
But no words could match the utter humiliation he felt at this moment. His once perfect world was crumbling, piece by piece, right before his eyes.
Brenda, watching the unfolding scene with amusement, finally spoke up. “Well, Adam,” she said, her voice full of mockery. “Now that Sophie has moved on, so should we.”
Adam’s eyes widened in panic, ignoring Brenda completely. His voice cracked as he tried to protest. “You can’t do this to me! I still own—”
Alex’s voice cut through his ranting like a knife. “You don’t own anyone, Adam,” Alex interrupted coldly. “You never did.”
Adam opened his mouth to shout back, but no sound came out. His fists trembled as his shoulders sagged, the weight of his defeat crashing down on him.
Sophie turned to Alex, her expression softening slightly. “Thank you,” she murmured, her voice just loud enough for him to hear.
Alex gave her a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder before turning back to Adam. “You had your chance to do right by Sophie,” Alex said with finality. “You chose control over compassion. Now you’re going to face the consequences.”
Adam stood in stunned silence, his chest heaving as he glared at both Alex and Sophie.
