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When Sophia finally left Damien’s office, she felt slightly calmer than when she had arrived. Although it wasn’t because the problem seemed to possibly have a solution or anything but because Damien had looked at her like none of this changed anything.

Before she left, he had insisted on arranging a car to take her home. She had tried saying she could manage herself, but he refused.

Now, she sat quietly in the back seat while the city moved outside the window. Her fingers rested on her bag while she replayed his words again.

“We always conquer our enemies.”

Normally she would have smiled hearing something dramatic like that, but today, she only leaned her head against the seat.

She had brought Jessica into their home, trusted her with her whole heart like she knew her for so many years. But what did she get? A big time betrayal. One that could take a lot of time to heal before she would give anyone that kind of trust.

By the time she got home, the mansion felt strangely quiet. She walked inside slowly and headed upstairs.

The moment she got inside her room, she began pacing back and forth, thinking deeply about the board meeting tomorrow and the possibility of losing her job.

Sophia stopped walking and grabbed her phone. She opened Jessica’s contact and decided to call.

The phone rang, but she didn’t get an answer. She frowned and called again, feeling frustrated. Still, it was the same thing that happened. Jessica didn’t answer the call.

Her frustration rose immediately. Sophia sat down on the bed and stared at the screen for a few seconds, then she opened messages.

“I guess I’ll have to text you. At least, you’ll see that.” She said under her breath.

“Jessica, we need to meet. There’s something I need to say and maybe something can still be worked out.”

She stared at the text for a while to re-read and be sure that was what she wanted to send. And when she was certain, she clicked on the send button.

Immediately after, she placed the phone beside her. She honestly didn’t expect a reply since she didn’t answer her call, but surprisingly, not too long later, her phone vibrated.

Sophia immediately grabbed it. Her eyes moved quickly across the screen. She realized Jessica had replied.

“Fine. Meet me this evening.”

Then she attached the address of a restaurant.

Her heartbeat picked up slightly. She wasn’t sure what Jessica wanted anymore but at least she agreed to meet.

Sophia placed the phone down slowly. Now, she just had to wait, and waiting turned out to be the hardest part.

The entire afternoon felt unusually long. She tried lying down and  watching something but nothing worked. Eventually she opened social media again and she felt Instant regret because she saw more comments, more reposts and more opinions from strangers.

“She looks controlling. I expected better from her.”

“She gives insecure energy. That’s just one thing about rich wives…”

Sophia immediately locked her phone and her chest felt like it was being squeezed. She placed the phone face down beside her and stared at the ceiling.

The room suddenly felt too quiet.

She let out a long sigh. This wasn’t how she imagined this weekend ending.

A few days ago, she thought she finally made a real friend. Now, she was preparing to sit across from that same person and ask why.

“Oh, goodness.” She said under her breath and closed her eyes.

By the time evening finally arrived, Sophia felt exhausted even though she had done almost nothing all day.

Waiting had drained her.

She stood in front of her wardrobe for a while before eventually picking something simple. It wasn’t anything bright. She didn’t want anything that would draw attention. Just comfortable clothes that helped her blend in.

She changed quietly, tied her hair back neatly and stared at herself in the mirror. She already looked tired.

Her eyes lingered for a moment before she grabbed her bag and left. 

~

The drive to the restaurant felt longer than it actually was. Sophia just kept replaying different possibilities in her head.

She felt maybe Jessica would apologize or she would admit everything. Probably she could explain and come up with something like saying she was manipulated. Sophia even wished it would be something like that. She just needed something to make this make sense.

When she finally arrived, she stepped inside the restaurant and her eyes scanned around before she finally saw her.

Jessica sat at the far end corner of the restaurant looking calm and relaxed. She was holding a cup of boba tea while scrolling through her phone.

Sophia stopped walking for a second. The sight annoyed her more than she expected. After everything she had done, after nearly destroying her marriage publicly and putting her job at risk, she was sitting here drinking boba tea peacefully.

Jessica noticed her eventually and looked up.

Their eyes met and Jessica smiled lightly.

Sophia walked over and sat down across from her. For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Jessica took another sip while Sophia looked at her quietly with so many things running in her mind.

And then she finally spoke, “Why? Why did you betray me?”

Jessica stared at her for a while like she was some trash bag, then she scoffed.

A small laugh escaped her and that made Sophia frown.

Jessica then placed her drink down.

“Is that why you called me here?” She questioned calmly. “You invited me into your house, isn’t it?”

“You met my husband and he was nice to you.”

“And?” Jessica said, looking unimpressed.

Sophia’s chest tightened. “And? Did you just ask me that? Jessica, you lied publicly.”

Jessica shrugged. Sophia looked at her in disbelief. She never expected her to be this cold and wicked.

“You called me here because you wanted explanations?”

Sophia’s fingers tightened under the table while looking at her, then she managed to speak.

“You posted lies obviously, so am I not supposed to ask for explanations?”

Jessica tilted her head. “You seem more upset than I expected.”

Sophia looked at her unbelievably, then Jessica leaned forward slightly.

“Look. If nothing tangible comes out of this meeting for me…” She paused, her eyes looking as cold as ice. “You better expect worse.”