Emptied feelings

**SOPHIE MADSON’S POV**

She leaves, I stay motionless, and soon after, taking advantage of the open door, Sally comes in excitedly. But seeing me cry, she rushes over, embracing me and listening to all my lamentations. I cry copiously, sobbing and desperate, feeling like the most incapable person in the world.

"Everything will be alright, somehow. God knows all things... believe!"

Nothing I could hear would comfort my shattered heart even more. I bury my face in her shoulder and continue to cry for a good while.

When she left the room, I felt lost, sitting in silence, staring into nothingness. I wouldn't stay there any longer and canceled all my appointments. As I was leaving the building, I saw the man for the third time. Liam appeared. He wore jeans, a white T-shirt, and a black leather jacket; his dark hair was straight and messy.

"Hi, good to see you," he smiles.

I can't return the smile and keep from making him realize everything wasn't okay.

"Did something happen?" he shows concern.

"Everything, or rather, nothing in my life, is going right," my voice was choked up.

"Hey, calm down..." he touches my shoulder respectfully. "Let's grab a coffee and eat something, okay? You need to talk."

I've been so starved for affection lately that I really needed it to not completely lose it. I get into his car, he drives towards the chosen café, and I remain silent during the ride there. We arrive at the place, and he leads me to a table. I sit there with my head down, looking at my belly with attention. I had idealized that pregnancy so much that now I felt like the worst person in the world.

"How's the baby?" he asks.

That question made me burst into tears, but I've been trying to control myself since I was in public. He doesn't stay where he is; he comes towards me and hugs me, my face hiding in his shoulder as I sob. He strokes my hair and then holds my face.

"Sophie, I don't know you well, but from what little I've seen, there's a badass woman in there. You're strong... everything that's happening will pass."

"I want my son with me," I sob.

He still didn't understand why I said that. After drinking a full glass of water, I managed to calm down and reveal everything that happened to Liam. He had a sad expression, and I realized he did not know what to say until he spoke again.

"I'll support you; you have a friend. Hope is the last thing to die, but be open to whatever happens, be strong."

Those words were what I needed. I couldn't talk about this with anyone, not even my mother, because everyone would be in my head to accept what the doctor suggested. I wouldn't carry this guilt; I'd rather die.

"Thank you!"

"Let's have coffee and talk about random things. Did you know I found out my ex was a prostitute and slept with my dad?" he reveals, changing the subject.

"At least she didn't run you over, then you lose your memory and fall in love with her!" I roll my eyes.

"Wow... is that a book? A movie?" he is amazed.

"No... it happened to my husband."

He widens his eyes and takes a big gulp of water. I grimace and sip the natural juice I ordered along with a croissant. We spent the whole afternoon there. I had never imagined Liam could be so fun. He did everything to keep my mind occupied and succeeded. It is much better than lying in bed crying all afternoon, worsening my situation.

_______________________

**STEVEN WOLKER'S POV**

I was leaving the director's office on the planning floor when I noticed Sophie heading towards the elevator. She seemed very distraught and did not pay attention to anything around her, even bumping into someone there. Concerned, I followed her, and I saw her leaving the building, but a man started talking to her near the visitor parking lot.

When he touches her shoulder, hatred consumes my entire being. My eyes burn, and my hands clench into fists, but when I see her get into a car without requesting the driver, I realize that if I were to go to the parking lot to get my car, I wouldn't have time to see where they were going. So, I arrive at the visitor parking lot, where the driver is next to the car.

"Follow that black car right now. Now!" I order, quite agitated, and he does as I ask. In a few minutes, they're arriving at a café, and I take a deep breath, feeling all the possible hatred within me. It was almost painful in my chest.

I stayed there long enough and kept a distance, avoiding glances. Since the café was open-air, I could see them. He hugged her, she cried, and then they talked like a couple from a teenage movie.

I spent the whole afternoon in that car and didn't leave for a minute while they were there. I thought about going down countless times and ending that romance, but I held myself back as much as possible because I didn't know what I could do.

"Home now, boss?" the driver asks.

"Follow the car again!"

He followed my orders, and I saw that guy taking Sophie to her house, where we used to live. He drops her off and leaves immediately. Then my phone rings, and I answer promptly.

"Sweetheart, where are you? Our conversation about the wedding still needed to be completed. We need to talk..."

"I'm marrying you!" I say all at once.

"Okay, I already know. You need time, and... WHAT?" she screams at the end.

"I'm determined; I will end this situation by marrying Nathally.

____________________________

The Next Day...

I wake up still angry, remembering that scene. I'm finishing brushing my teeth and getting ready for a new day when I remember that man's hands on her, and consumed by fury; I drag all the objects on that sink to the floor. I end up superficially cutting my hand, and even though a lot of blood comes out, I manage to stop the bleeding. When I staunch the cut, it's visible but no longer bleeding.

I storm out of the bathroom, slamming the door, and go to the dining room, where breakfast is served. To my surprise, Sophie was there with my grandmother. She knew I didn't come in very well the night before, very irritated, and checked my reaction upon noticing her presence there.

"I invited Sophie for breakfast; I insist on her company," my grandmother says.

I run my hand through my beard and laugh nervously. She ignores me, looking at her plate even though the fork and knife in her hands are still.

"Was your outing good?" I ask in a sarcastic tone.

"What outing are you talking about?" she looks confused.

"The obliviousness..."

"I don't understand!"

She speaks louder, and I observe how innocent she seems. My grandmother touched her arm, and I am so jealous and angry that I can't measure my rage.

"You're married to me! Show some respect. How can you allow yourself to be touched in front of my company and then hug in public places? Control yourself!!!" My breath was heavy.

She stands up, trembling, and approaches so closely that her face is near mine, even though she's a little shorter. I had never seen her so serious since I can remember things.

"First, no one knows about our fake marriage. Second... You have your ridiculous girlfriend who, by the way, works in the company. Who are you to say that?"

She was yelling. I had probably aroused her an absurd anger, but I didn't care because she managed to do the same.

"That doesn't justify it!" I affirm.

"GO TO HELL!! I'm tired."

She walks away from me, and my grandmother stands up, glaring at me with a displeased expression, and walks past me, bumping into my body. I bring my hands to my face, which is completely lost.