Chapter 122
Blake
My jaw clenched as I watched the monitor, feeling utterly fucking helpless. On the screen, Sophia sat alone at a metal table in the interrogation room, her shoulders tense but her chin lifted with characteristic determination.
Despite her composed exterior, I could see the subtle tremor in her hands as she arranged them carefully on the table, and it tore at something deep in my chest. I wanted to punch through the goddamn wall.
"She shouldn't have to face him alone," I muttered, pacing behind Caroline and Atticus, my heart pounding like a sledgehammer against my ribs.
"This is standard procedure, Mr. Sterling," one of the officers replied without looking away from the screen. "Her father insisted on speaking with Ms. Green directly."
The door to the interrogation room opened, and two officers led in Soren Green. Even through the grainy security footage, his imposing presence filled the room like a toxic cloud.
Handcuffs secured his wrists to a chain around his waist, which was then locked to the heavy metal chair. Security protocols for violent offenders. Good. Though not nearly enough for what that bastard deserved.
"Remember," Caroline said quietly beside me, "this was Sophia's choice. She believes his testimony will help clear her name."
I nodded stiffly, unable to tear my eyes from the screen as Soren settled into his chair, his eyes never leaving Sophia. A smile spread across his face—not warm or paternal, but predatory. That look... Christ, I'd seen it before on men who'd destroy anything for power or pleasure.
"Well, well," his voice came through the speakers, tinny but clear enough. "Look who it is. It's been a long time, Sophia."
On screen, Sophia's expression remained neutral, but I saw her throat work as she swallowed.
"Let's keep this brief, Soren. I don't have all day to waste on you."
"Still got that mouth on you," he chuckled, leaning forward as far as his restraints would allow. "Your mother never could beat that out of you."
I took an involuntary step toward the door, rage surging through my veins like liquid fire. The thought of anyone laying a hand on Sophia made me want to tear the fucking room apart. "Son of a bitch," I hissed through clenched teeth.
Caroline's hand shot out, gripping my arm with surprising strength. "Mr. Sterling," she warned under her breath. "This is necessary procedure. Let her finish."
On screen, Sophia's eyes had hardened to amber stone. "This isn't about ancient history. This is about Amanda Price and how you helped her frame me."
Soren leaned back, his chains clinking. "You always were a disappointment, Sophia. Remember those nights you cried yourself to sleep? Begging for mommy to love you?" His voice took on a mocking, childish tone. "But she never did, did she? Neither of us did."
I watched Sophia's jaw tighten, her hands now flat against the table. My heart physically hurt for her.
"I'm here to discuss your recent activities, Soren. Not the past."
"She still says your name in her sleep, you know," Soren continued as if she hadn't spoken. "Your mother. Even after all these years. Even after you abandoned her."
"I didn't abandon her," Sophia's voice came out sharp. "I escaped. There's a difference." She stood suddenly, chair scraping across the floor. "If you have nothing relevant to share about Amanda , I'm leaving."
"Sit. Down." Soren's voice dropped to a dangerous growl.
To my relief, Sophia remained standing. "I'm not a child anymore, Soren. You can't control me."
"You think you're so strong now, don't you?" Soren's lips curved into a knowing smile. "With your fancy degree and your rich ex-husband. But I know the truth about you, Sophia. "
I couldn't take it anymore. My entire body vibrated with rage. "Get her out of there," I demanded, turning to the officers, my voice raw with emotion. "This isn't productive. This is just fucking torture."
One of them reached for the intercom, but before he could press the button, the door to the interrogation room opened. An officer entered and whispered something to Sophia. Her face paled visibly, the color draining away like water down a drain.
Soren watched with that same unsettling smile as Sophia was escorted out, the interrogation clearly over before it had really begun.
"What happened?" I asked Caroline, my heart racing with fresh anxiety.
She shook her head, already moving toward the door. "I don't know. Let's find out."
Sophia
My heart was still pounding as I stepped into the hallway, grateful to escape Soren's suffocating presence. The familiar feeling of being small and powerless had started creeping in, despite all my preparation. Phantom pains ghosted across my skin—old bruises, remembered slaps.
God, I hated how easily he could still affect me after all these years. Just five minutes with him and I was that terrified little girl again, calculating the safest path across the living room to avoid his fists.
I took a deep breath, trying to center myself. The officer who had interrupted the interrogation was speaking, but his words weren't registering. My mind was still half-trapped in that room with Soren, with the ghosts of my past.
"Ms. Green?" The officer's voice finally broke through. "Did you hear what I said?"
I blinked, forcing myself back to the present. "I'm sorry, could you repeat that?" My voice sounded distant, like it belonged to someone else.
Before he could answer, Caroline appeared at my side, her face unusually grave. "Sophia, I need to speak with you."
The seriousness in her tone sent a chill through me. Fuck. More bad news. When would it ever stop? "What's happened?"
Caroline guided me a few steps away from the officer, lowering her voice. "The police went to apprehend Amanda at her apartment, based on the evidence we presented."
"And?" My pulse quickened, my mouth suddenly desert-dry.
"She wasn't there." Caroline's expression tightened. "It appears she received advance warning. By the time the officers arrived, she had already fled."
The words hit me like a physical blow. My vision actually blurred for a moment, and I reached out to steady myself against the wall. Holy shit. Holy fucking shit. My legs nearly buckled beneath me as images of Amanda's cold smile flooded my mind.
"Sophia?" Caroline touched my arm, concern evident in her voice.
"She'll come after us," I whispered, my throat suddenly dry as sandpaper. My hands were shaking so badly I had to press them against the wall. "She'll come after me and Lily. Caroline, she has nothing to lose now. She's fucking cornered and that makes her dangerous."
I could see it all in vivid detail—Amanda slipping past security, Amanda with a knife, Amanda taking my daughter. The scenarios played in my head like a horror movie I couldn't turn off.
"We've issued an APB," Caroline assured me. "Her photo is at every airport, train station, and bus terminal in the country. She won't get far."
"I need to call Alex," I said urgently, panic making my voice shake. "I need to make sure Lily is safe. Oh God, what if she already—"
"Sophia, breathe," Caroline said firmly, gripping my shoulders. "The police are sending officers to your apartment and to Alex's place as a precaution. Lily is still in the hospital under security, remember?"
Right. The hospital. The ankle monitor. The restrictions. Reality came crashing back, and I felt momentarily steadied by the facts. Lily was safe in the hospital, under guard.
But Amanda was out there somewhere. Plotting. Hating. Desperate.
I dialed Alex anyway, needing to hear his voice, to confirm that everything was okay. As I waited for him to answer, I looked up and saw Blake approaching with Atticus. My body tensed automatically to the man who had broken my heart over and over.
"She's gone," I said flatly as they reached us. "Your precious Amanda slipped away before the police could arrest her." The bitterness in my voice could have etched glass.
Blake's face paled. "What?"
"Someone tipped her off," I continued, unable to keep the accusation from my voice. Paranoia whispered in my ear: maybe it was him. Maybe he's still protecting her.
"It wasn't me," Blake said immediately, his blue eyes intense with what looked like genuine distress. "Sophia, you have to believe me."
"Do I?" I raised an eyebrow, a hollow laugh escaping me. "Because your track record with me isn't exactly stellar, Blake. Trust isn't really your strong suit, is it? Or was that just with me?"
Leon appeared behind them, ending a phone call. "I've got my contacts at the airports and private airfields on alert," he said to Blake.
Blake nodded, then turned back to me. "They'll find her, Sophia. I promise you, I won't let her get anywhere near you or Lily."
The sincerity in his voice made something inside me ache, but I forced it down. I couldn't afford to trust him again. Not when my daughter's safety was at stake. Not when every promise he'd ever made to me had eventually been broken.
"That promise means nothing coming from you," I said coldly, taking a step back. My heart screamed otherwise, but I silenced it ruthlessly. "Your promises have always had expiration dates, Blake. So forgive me if I don't find much comfort in your words."
I turned away, unable to look at the hurt in his eyes, and walked toward the exit.
As Alex finally answered his phone, I pushed through the station doors, Caroline following close behind. The weight of the ankle monitor seemed heavier than ever, a constant reminder of how vulnerable we truly were.
Amanda was out there somewhere, desperate and cornered.