Chapter 52
Adam parked his car in front of Alex’s towering iron gate, the tension building in his chest.
He dialed Sophie’s number, hoping she’d answer but the call went straight to voicemail. Frustrated, he scrolled through his contacts and called Emilia.
“Adam?” she answered almost immediately.
“Emilia, I’m at the gate. The guards won’t let me in. Can you help?”
“Drive in. I’ll have them open it,” she said calmly.
Adam heard the faint sound of the gate creaking open. He exhaled, got back into his car, and drove in, the grandeur of Alex’s estate failing to impress him in his current state.
When he reached the courtyard, Emilia stood waiting, her arms crossed but with a soft smile on her face. As he stepped out, she walked toward him and, to his surprise, hugged him.
“This feels… strange,” Adam murmured, patting her back awkwardly.
“Get over it,” she said with a chuckle, pulling away. “You’re here because I believe in second chances, Adam. Don’t make me regret it.”
“I won’t,” he replied, his voice steady.
“Good.” She turned on her heel. “Follow me. Everyone’s waiting.”
Adam’s stomach churned as he walked into the house, each step feeling heavier than the last.
When they entered the living room, his eyes immediately fell on Sophie. She stood beside Alex, her arms crossed over her chest, her gaze piercing through him.
Alex, on the other hand, looked like he’d rather be anywhere else.
The silence in the room was suffocating until Sophie broke it. “Adam, we need to talk. Alone.”
Alex’s jaw tightened, and he shot her a glare. “Do you really think that’s a good idea?”
“Yes,” Sophie said firmly, not breaking eye contact with Adam.
Adam nodded. “Lead the way.”
Sophie walked out of the room, and Adam followed, his heart pounding in his chest. She led him to a smaller sitting room, closing the door behind them.
Sophie turned to face him, her arms still crossed. Her expression was cold, unreadable. “Start talking,” she demanded.
Adam swallowed hard. “Sophie, first, I’m sorry for everything—for the hurt, the confusion, all of it.”
She didn’t respond, her gaze never wavering.
He took a deep breath. “That night with Brenda… it wasn’t what you think.”
“Then tell me,” Sophie said, her voice cracking slightly. “Did you sleep with her? Is the baby yours?”
Adam felt a lump in his throat. “I was working late that night,” he began. “Brenda came in to bring me coffee. I didn’t think much of it at the time. I drank it, and…”
“And?” Sophie pressed.
“And I started feeling strange. Sleepy. Everything was a blur after that. The last thing I remember clearly is sitting at my desk. When I woke up, it was the middle of the night, and Brenda… she was in my arms.”
Sophie’s face twisted in disbelief. “So you’re saying she drugged you?”
“Yes,” Adam said firmly. “I didn’t realize it at first, but looking back, it all makes sense. I never agreed to any of it, Sophie. I would never…”
Sophie’s lips trembled as she cut him off. “And the baby? Is it yours?”
Adam shook his head. “I don’t know. Brenda claims it is, but I’ve been asking her for a paternity test, and she keeps dodging it. That’s why I don’t trust her.”
Sophie let out a bitter laugh, tears streaming down her face. “So you’re saying she set you up, and now she’s trying to ruin your life?”
“Yes,” Adam said softly. “I know how it sounds, Sophie, but I swear to you, that’s the truth. I made mistakes—I shouldn’t have trusted her, shouldn’t have been alone with her—but I didn’t cheat on you.”
Sophie turned away from him, her hands covering her face as sobs wracked her body. “I don’t know what to believe anymore, Adam.”
Adam stepped closer but stopped himself, unsure if his presence would comfort her or make things worse. “Sophie, I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I need you to know the truth. I need you to believe me.”
She spun around, her tear-streaked face filled with anguish. “How can I believe you when everything in my life feels like a lie right now? You let this happen, Adam. Whether you meant to or not, you let it happen.”
“I know,” he whispered, his voice thick with regret. “And I’ll do whatever it takes to make it right.”
Sophie’s shoulders slumped, the fight leaving her body. “I need time, Adam. Time to process all of this, time to figure out what’s true and what isn’t.”
Adam nodded, his heart breaking at the sight of her pain. “Take all the time you need. I’ll wait for as long as it takes.”
The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of their conversation hanging in the air. After a moment, Sophie wiped her tears and straightened her posture.
“Let’s go back,” she said quietly, opening the door and stepping out before Adam could respond.
When they returned to the living room, Alex immediately rose to his feet when he saw Sophie in tears, his eyes narrowing at Adam. “What did you say to her?”
“Alex, stop,” Sophie said, her voice firm. “This is between me and Adam.”
Alex frowned but said nothing, his gaze flickering between them. Emilia, who had been quietly observing, spoke up. “Did you get the answers you needed, Sophie?”
Sophie hesitated, then nodded. “For now.”
Adam glanced at her, a flicker of hope in his eyes, but her expression gave nothing away.
The room grew silent again, the tension palpable. Finally, Emilia clapped her hands together. “Well, now that this is done, can we move on to clearing Adam’s name? We still have work to do.”
