I’ll Kill Him

She took a bite of the bread, the taste bland and unremarkable. It did little to ease the ache in her stomach, but she forced herself to eat, bite after bite, her resolve hardening with each chew. She wasn’t going to let him win— not without a fight.

As she finished the last bite, her gaze drifted toward the window. The woods beyond were bathed in the soft light of dawn, the trees swaying gently in the breeze. The sight steadied her, if only for a moment.

She wiped her hands on a paper towel, her mind clearer now than it had been all morning. She didn’t have all the answers yet, but one thing was certain: she wasn’t going to let Cedric dictate her future. She’d find a way— somehow, some way— to protect Michael and herself.

And she’d start today.

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Moments Later...

The corridor stretched endlessly ahead, the dim light from the penthouse windows casting long, eerie shadows on the polished floor. Sophia’s bare feet barely made a sound as she moved, her hands clutching the edges of her robe tightly against her chest. Each step felt heavier than the last, her mind consumed by a storm of thoughts. The need to return to Michael tugged at her fiercely, a mother’s instinct urging her to check on her baby. But a nagging thought stopped her mid-step.

"Maybe I should check on Cedric and his Natasha," she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible over the gentle hum of the air conditioning. She froze, glancing over her shoulder as if expecting someone to be lurking behind her. The stillness of the penthouse only amplified the pounding of her heart. "Maybe there's something I'm missing… something I’ll only see if I confront them both."

Her inner voice pushed her forward, though doubt lingered. It's too early. They're probably still asleep. Yet, something deep inside screamed otherwise. She shook her head and steeled her resolve, her footsteps now guided toward the master bedroom, where Cedric and Natasha shared together.

The closer she got, the clearer the voices became. Muffled at first, then more distinct with every step.

"You told me you were going to get rid of her!" Natasha’s voice was sharp, laced with frustration that made Sophia’s breath hitch. She stopped in her tracks, pressing herself against the cold wall beside the bedroom door.

"I'm trying!" Cedric snapped back, his tone a mix of defensiveness and irritation.

Sophia's stomach twisted painfully. Her grip on her robe tightened as she leaned closer, her ear nearly brushing the door.

"Trying? What is she still doing here, then?" Natasha spat, her words dripping with venom.

Cedric’s sigh was loud and heavy. "Because it’s still just a week after my dad’s death, that’s why."

Natasha’s response came almost immediately, her voice climbing an octave. "I don’t care! A week is well over enough for you to send her packing."

Sophia bit down on her bottom lip, her nails digging into her palm. She could feel her heart racing, the fear, and anger bubbling within her like a pot on the verge of boiling over.

"I’ve already told you," Cedric growled. "Things like this require patience! How many times do I have to explain it? For God's sake, we signed a contract! These things don’t just disappear. People of importance need to be contacted, arrangements have to be made, and those people don’t take kindly to being rushed. Do you think I want her here? I don’t! I want her gone as much as you do, maybe even more."

Sophia’s throat felt tight. Every word Cedric spoke was another nail in the coffin of whatever remnants of hope she’d clung to.

"Ughhhh!" Natasha let out a frustrated groan that echoed through the door. "What about the kid?"

Sophia froze, her blood turning cold.

"What about him?" Cedric replied, his tone suddenly cautious.

"What are you going to do about him?" Natasha pressed, her voice sharp enough to cut glass.

Cedric hesitated. "Do about him in what sense?"

Natasha’s laugh was hollow, devoid of any humor. "Don’t make me spell it out. You know he can’t stay here with us."

There was a pause, a thick, suffocating silence that seemed to stretch on forever.

"He’s my son, Natasha," Cedric finally said, his voice firm. "Whatever issues we have with his mother stop with her. He’s innocent in all of this."

Sophia felt a flicker of relief, but it was short-lived.

"Says who?" Natasha shot back, her tone dripping with disdain.

"Says me."

Another pause, then Natasha let out a sharp laugh, the sound sending a shiver down Sophia’s spine.

"If you know what’s good for the child," Natasha said, her voice low and menacing, "you’ll get rid of him along with that lowlife excuse of a mother he has. Or else…"

"Or else what?" Cedric challenged, but his voice lacked the conviction it carried moments before.

"I’ll kill him." Natasha’s words were chilling, delivered with a calmness that made Sophia’s knees go weak. "You can try me and see."