Chapter 24 Heartless devil to possessive devil
Chapter 24
Sophie's POV
I opened my eyes to the gentle morning rays streaming through the window, their warmth caressing my skin. Beside me, Julian was sleeping peacefully, his features relaxed and serene. The sight of him brought a smile to my face, a feeling of safety enveloping me. I had wanted him to touch me last night to bridge the distance that sometimes felt insurmountable between us, but he had gently insisted we get some rest instead. I couldn’t help but stare at his handsome face, tracing the contours with my eyes, and a warmth spread through me as I tried to recall where I might have seen him before because his face looks so familiar. Perhaps I had seen him on TV, or maybe he was just a figment of my dreams.
After a moment of quietly admiring him, I slipped out of bed, careful not to wake him, and padded softly into my room. The cool tiles felt refreshing under my feet, grounding me in the reality of my life. I turned on the shower, letting the warm water cascade over me, washing away the remnants of sleep and any lingering doubts. As the water enveloped me, I tried to clear my mind, focusing on the soothing rhythm and the steam that filled the small space.
Once I felt rejuvenated, I went downstairs and settled at the dining table, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air. Just as I took a sip, Jenkins approached me with a serious expression.
"Ma, someone is asking for you outside," he said, his tone slightly apprehensive.
"Who?" I asked, puzzled. I definitely wasn't expecting anyone.
"I don't know, ma'am. It's one of the security who came to tell me," he replied, his brow furrowing slightly.
I nodded, a sense of unease creeping in. Who could possibly be asking for me? Isabella didn’t even know where Julian’s house was? Curiosity tugged at me as I stood and made my way to the front of the mansion.
As I stepped outside, the sunlight hit my face, and I scanned the surroundings, but there was no one in sight. Just as I was about to turn back inside, a familiar voice cut through the air.
"Sophie."
My heart sank at the familiar voice and i turned slowly, dread pooling in my stomach as my eyes met the figure of my worst nightmare.
Alex!
Why the hell was he here? All the memories of pain and betrayal surged back, flooding my mind. Was he here to torture me further? To insult me again?
"Wow, so it's really true that you got married to a billionaire," he said, his tone dripping with mockery as he surveyed the grandeur of Julian's home. "You're more ambitious than I thought."
"Alex, how can I help you?" I replied, trying to keep my voice steady despite the disgust rising within me. This man had shattered my heart, and now he dared to stand on my doorstep.
"So, you were also cheating on me, or how do you explain suddenly getting married to a man, a billionaire at that?" He smirked, his eyes glinting with malice. "When was it? When did you start cheating on me? Did you two develop feelings when you were with me?"
"Did you come to my house just to run your disgusting mouth?" I shot back, my voice laced with contempt. I couldn’t believe he had the audacity to show up here, tainting my sanctuary with his presence.
"Your house? Wait... did you just say 'your house'?" he scoffed as if the very notion was ludicrous.
"If it's not my house, then is it yours? You cheated on me with an other woman! That's the cause of all of this, you shameless fool?" I snapped, my patience wearing thin.
"What!? Me...shameless fool?" he said, taking a step closer, the anger radiating off him like heat from a flame. My heart raced as I braced myself, closing my eyes instinctively, waiting for his hand to make contact.
But instead of the expected sting of his touch, I felt nothing and I opened my eyes to see one of the bodyguards holding his arm tightly, preventing him from advancing any further. The tension in the air was palpable, and I felt a flicker of relief mixed with fear.
"Back off," the bodyguard said, his voice low and dangerous.
I took a step back, my heart pounding in my chest. Alex's face twisted in anger and frustration, but he was held firmly in place. The bodyguard’s presence reminded me that I was no longer alone, that I had people who would protect me.
"What do you want, Alex?" I demanded, my voice steadier now as I faced him.
His expression softened for a moment, perhaps a hint of regret flickering across his features, but it vanished just as quickly. "I came to see you, Sophie. I wanted to talk."
"Talk?" I scoffed. "After everything you did, you think I want to talk to you?"
He opened his mouth to respond, but the bodyguard tightened his grip, and I could see the frustration boiling within Alex.
"You’ve got no right to be here," I said firmly. "Leave. Now."
The silence that followed was thick with tension, the two of us locked in a battle of wills. I could see the anger in Alex's eyes, but I held my ground. I was done being afraid; I was done letting him have power over me.
He jerked his arm free from the bodyguard’s grasp and turned to me, I thought he was going to try doing something stupid again but I was shocked when he suddenly fell to his knees before me.
"Sophie, I am sorry." He pleaded. "I was blinded by money then, I promise I am a changed person now."
As he knelt before me, his eyes pleading for forgiveness, I felt a mix of emotions: shock, anger, and a hint of curiosity. How could the man who had shattered my heart, who had left me broken and betrayed, now claim to be changed?
"Sorry?" I repeated, my voice laced with skepticism. "You're sorry? After everything you did, after using me, you think a simple apology will suffice?"
Alex's face contorted in anguish, but I couldn't bring myself to believe him. "What do you want from me, Alex? Forgiveness? Absolution?" I took a step back, my eyes never leaving his. "You're too late. I've moved on. I've found someone who truly cares for me."
His gaze dropped, and for a moment, I thought I saw a glimmer of genuine remorse flicker across his face. But it was too little, too late. The weight of unspoken words hung thick in the air between us, a tension that seemed to stretch infinitely.
Suddenly, he stood up, a mix of defiance and desperation in his eyes as he grabbed my hand. "What do you think you're doing?" I heard a voice cut through the silence, sharp and commanding. I turned to see Julian striding toward us, his expression a tempest of anger and protectiveness. "Release her arm if you don't want to regret ever stepping foot here." Julian growled, his voice low and menacing, sending a shiver down my spine.
I flinched, feeling the fear radiating from Alex as he slowly released my arm, his eyes darting between Julian and me. The air crackled with unspoken threats, and I stood frozen, caught in the middle of a storm I never wanted to be part of.
In an instant, Julian was at my side, wrapping his arm around my waist with a possessive grip that made my heart flutter despite the chaos. His warmth seeped into me, grounding me amidst the turmoil. "She's mine now," he declared, his voice firm and unwavering. "So you should stay away from her. Leave!"
With that, Alex shot me one last, haunted look before he turned and fled through the gate, never once glancing back. As soon as he was gone, the weight of the moment settled heavily on my chest. Julian released his hold on my waist, stepping back as if to recalibrate the space between us.
But the tension lingered, thick and unresolved. My heart raced, caught between us. He went back inside, leaving me standing there.
My mind raced with questions. Why has he changed from the heartless devil i used to know before Evelyn left to a possessive devil after she left?