Chapter 119: Sophia

Cecilia

Carter Ashford appeared through the crowd, immaculate in his tuxedo, a champagne flute in one hand and an expression of mild exasperation on his face.

He looked at Rex, then at Arthur and Max, then shook his head with a smile that suggested this was far from the first time he'd had to mediate between them.

"Rex, go find some ice for your face," he said. "Arthur, Max—maybe try to keep the violence to a minimum for the rest of the evening? I know it's a lot to ask, but do try."

Rex shot one last glare at all of us before turning and stalking away, his wolf padding after him. The crowd that had gathered to watch the altercation began to disperse, conversations resuming as if nothing had happened.

Carter, Arthur, and Max drifted away after that, drawn into conversation with a cluster of people who'd been waiting for an opportunity to approach them.

I watched them go, noting the way people gravitated toward them—Arthur with his controlled charisma, Max with his easy confidence, Carter with his effortless charm.

"Come on," Alice said, tugging on my arm. "Let's get away from all these people. I need air, and I'm pretty sure you do too."

She led me through the ballroom and out a side door that opened onto a terrace overlooking a pool. The night air was cool and clean after the stuffiness of the gala, and I took a deep breath, feeling some of the tension leave my shoulders.

The pool area was quieter, lit by soft underwater lights that cast rippling patterns on the surrounding stone. A few people were scattered around the edges, but it felt peaceful compared to the chaos inside.

Then I saw her.

Sophia was sitting by the pool. She wasn't looking at the water, though. Her gaze was fixed on something in the distance, through the glass doors that led back to the ballroom.

Following her line of sight, I saw Carter standing in profile, deep in conversation with an older couple, his expression animated and warm in a way.

Alice saw her too and made a sound of disgust. "Great. Just what we needed."

I didn't say anything, just watched as Sophia continued to stare at Carter with an expression that was so raw, so full of longing and regret, that it was almost painful to witness.

She must have sensed us watching because she turned, and our eyes met across the pool deck. For a moment, none of us moved. Then Sophia straightened, smoothing down her dress with hands that weren't quite steady.

"Cecilia. Alice." Her voice was quiet, carefully neutral. "I didn't expect to see you here."

Alice opened her mouth—probably to say something cutting—but I touched her arm gently, stopping her.

"Sophia," I said, keeping my tone polite but distant.

She looked between us, seeming to gather herself, and then she spoke again, the words coming out in a rush. "I'm leaving. Going abroad. Europe, probably. I'm not sure when—or if—I'll be back."

Alice's expression remained hard, unforgiving, but I found myself studying Sophia more closely. She looked different than she had at the villa—thinner, paler, with shadows under her eyes that even expensive makeup couldn't fully hide.

"I wanted to apologize," Sophia continued, her voice dropping lower. "For everything that happened. I know it's too late, I know I can't undo any of it, but I—" She stopped, seeming to struggle with the words.

Then, to my complete shock, she bowed deeply, a formal gesture that looked out of place in her evening gown. "I'm sorry. Truly, deeply sorry. And if there's ever anything I can do to make amends, anything at all, please don't hesitate to ask."

Alice made a skeptical sound, but I just nodded slowly. "Thank you for saying that."

Sophia straightened, and I saw tears glistening in her eyes. "Would you—" She paused, swallowing hard. "Would you tell Carter goodbye for me? I don't think I can face him again."

Before either of us could respond, she turned and walked away, her heels clicking against the stone as she disappeared back into the ballroom.

Alice let out a long breath. "Well, that was weird."

"Yeah," I agreed, still processing the encounter.

"Let's play the water." Alice asked suddenly, gesturing to the pool. "I know we're in evening gowns, but fuck it. When was the last time you did something spontaneous?"

I looked at the pool, then at Alice's expectant face, and felt something loosen in my chest. "You know what? Why not."

I took off my high heels and sat by the pool. My fair, well-toned legs touched the warm water, and it felt wonderfully comfortable.

"Oh my god," Alice said, laughing as she watched me.

Alice was already pulling out her phone, snapping photos with a grin that suggested she was up to no good. "These are going to Arthur."

"Alice—"

"Too late, " She was laughing now, genuinely amused. "He's definitely going to have to pay me for these photos."

I laughed despite myself, the sound feeling foreign after weeks of silence and grief. It felt good to laugh, to do something impulsive and silly, to feel like myself again even if just for a moment.

Then a sound cut through our laughter—a sharp crack of flesh hitting flesh, followed by a pained grunt.

Alice and I both turned toward the source of the commotion. Near the far end of the pool deck, partially hidden by ornamental plants, a man was on the ground while Rex stood over him, his fist raised for another blow.

"I don't give a shit who you are," Rex was saying, his voice carrying across the water. "Nobody takes photos of people without permission, you creepy fuck—"

"I'm—I'm—" the man on the ground was trying to speak, but Rex hit him again, cutting off whatever he'd been about to say.

I stood up, slipped on my shoes, and moved closer to get a better look at the man on the ground.

My heart stopped.

I knew that face. Knew those features even though they were currently contorted with pain and fear.

"Stop!" The word came out louder than I intended, echoing across the pool deck. "Rex, stop!"