Chapter 17: I Am Single

A few days later, Sophie stepped into her adoptive mother's home.

"Mom." She gently pulled her hand free from Laura's grasp. Her voice carried a fatigue she hadn't even noticed herself, low and edged with roughness. "I... I haven't been doing so well lately."

She didn't mention the corporate battles. She didn't speak of Emma's betrayal. That vague "not so well" was enough to mask all the chaos and pressure.

Laura's sobbing stopped abruptly. She stared at Sophie, frozen.

Sophie set the bag of supplements and pastries on the table, avoiding Laura's searching eyes. "Keep these for yourself. The company needs me -- I have to go."

She didn't dare look at Laura again. She was afraid she'd soften. Afraid she'd make promises she couldn't keep.

She turned, pulled the door open, and left in a rush.

"Sophie!" Laura's voice was cut off by the closing door.

Outside, the sunlight was warm, but Sophie felt chilled from her shoulders down.

She walked aimlessly through the streets, her mind blank.

That so-called home... she wasn't sure she could ever go back.

"Sophie?"

The voice was warm, uncertain. She turned, startled, and saw a familiar smile.

Samuel.

He was in casual sportswear, a light sheen of sweat on his forehead like he'd just finished a run.

"It really is you." His eyes lit up, his smile easy. "I thought I was mistaken. What are you doing here?"

"I... came home for a visit." She forced a small smile.

"Home?" He looked surprised, then scratched his head as if remembering something. "Come to think of it, I haven't seen you and Emma together lately. You two were always close."

At Emma's name, her eyes dimmed. A sharp sting pricked her chest.

She didn't want to tell him the mess. She just smiled faintly. "We've both been busy."

Samuel caught the shift in her tone.

He glanced at the sky, then said, "It's about dinner time. You haven't eaten, have you? Come on, my treat. There's a place nearby with great food."

His kindness was hard to refuse. And she needed somewhere to breathe.

"...Alright."

At the restaurant, Samuel didn't press her about Emma. He kept the conversation light -- funny work stories, movies he'd seen lately.

Her tension eased bit by bit. She found herself talking back, even smiling. The heaviness in her chest stayed quiet for a while.

When they finished, they walked out together.

"Thank you, Samuel. Dinner really helped." Her voice was sincere.

"Don't be formal with me." He waved it off, about to say more when his smile faltered. His eyes fixed on something behind her.

Sophie noticed. She turned.

Her blood froze.

A black Bentley sat quietly at the curb. Beside it stood Sebastian -- tall, sharp in a tailored black suit.

He looked like he'd just left an evening event, carrying an air of polished detachment. The streetlight stretched his shadow long across the pavement. His ice-blue eyes cut through the crowd, locking on her... and on Samuel.

There was no surprise in his gaze. Only cold, deep intent.

Even from a distance, the pressure hit her, tightening her breath.

Why was he here?

Before she could think, Sebastian strode toward them. His focus was unmistakable -- her.

"Had your fun?" He stopped in front of her, looking down. His voice was calm, but carried an unshakable command. "Vacation's over. Riverside District's proposal has problems. You're coming back to fix it. Now."

Sophie stared. She'd checked that proposal herself before leaving. Every detail was flawless. This was an excuse.

She met his cold face and understood -- he was picking a fight.

She drew in a breath, pushing down the absurdity and anger. Turning to Samuel, she offered an apologetic smile. "Sorry, my boss needs me. I have to go."

Samuel's gaze flickered between them. He didn't understand, but nodded. "Go ahead. Work comes first."

She said a quick goodbye and followed Sebastian. Aiden was nowhere in sight.

Sebastian opened the car door himself, gesturing for her to get in.

The interior was spacious, yet with him beside her it felt suffocating.

Sophie clutched her bag, leaning toward the door, trying to make herself smaller.

They drove into the night in silence.

She thought it would last until they reached the office. But then his voice cut through, low and edged with something like mockery.

"Boyfriend?"

She blinked, realizing who he meant.

She turned, meeting his probing stare.

"Not much of a choice," he said flatly, disdain curling in his tone.

The words lit the anger she'd been holding back all night.

She straightened, met his gaze head-on. Her voice was steady, with a hint of defiance she hadn't planned. "He's my college friend. One of the few I have." She paused, then added, each word deliberate, "And, Mr. Carter, I'm single."

Her words dropped into the space between them like a pin, sharp enough to pierce the taut air.

Silence.

Sebastian didn't reply. He turned his head slightly, his eyes darker in the dim light.

The atmosphere dropped, heavy enough to crush the spark of courage she'd just found.

What was she doing? Talking to her boss -- the man who held her career in his hands, the man who'd just cleaned up a major mess for her -- with that tone.

Fear gripped her chest, stealing her breath.

She was in trouble... and she knew it.