And You Want Her to Pay

Sophia stopped in her tracks, turning to face him. Her eyes burned with a mix of anger and pain. “Remorse?” she repeated, her voice trembling slightly. “What I did was survival, Cedric. I’d do it all over again if it meant protecting my son from you. You treated me like trash. I had to run for my life— and his.”

Cedric’s hands curled into fists, his knuckles whitening. He took a step toward her, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “I see what’s happening here. You think you’re in the big leagues now, huh? You think this—” He gestured around them, his hand sweeping over the lavish surroundings. “—is going to save you from me?”

Sophia’s eyes narrowed. “You mean the ‘little wealth’ I’ve acquired for myself? Newsflash, Cedric: I’m a millionaire now, married to a billionaire. You don’t scare me.”

Cedric’s eyes widened for a fraction of a second before narrowing into slits. “Wealth doesn’t make you untouchable, Sophia,” he spat. “Don’t forget who you’re talking to.”

Sophia smirked, the expression infuriatingly calm. “Are you coming, or are you going to keep wasting your breath?” she asked, gesturing toward her office at the end of the corridor.

“To do what? Hear more lies?” Cedric sneered. “I already know everything I need to know.”

Sophia shrugged, her indifference cutting deeper than any insult. “Suit yourself.” She turned on her heel and began walking away, her posture regal, her stride confident.

Cedric watched her for a moment, his anger bubbling over. “So that’s it? To court, then?” he called after her.

“To court,” Sophia echoed without looking back, her voice cold and detached.

Her dismissive tone was the final straw. Cedric strode after her, his long legs closing the distance in seconds. He grabbed her wrist, spinning her around to face him. “This isn’t over,” he hissed, his face inches from hers. His grip was firm but not painful, his frustration evident in every line of his body. “I’ll destroy you. Destroy everything you hold dear. Everything you think you’ve built for yourself. And don’t think for a second that these are empty threats.”

Sophia’s expression didn’t waver. “I know they’re not,” she said, her voice steady. “But I’m not afraid of you anymore, Cedric. Bring it on. I can take whatever you throw at me. Now let me go before you do something you’ll regret.”

Cedric’s lips twisted into a bitter smile. He released her wrist, stepping back. “You’ve forgotten who holds the cards here, Sophia,” he said, his voice low and menacing. “You think you’re untouchable now, but let me remind you— you’re not. When I’m done with you, you’ll leave that useless excuse of a husband and come crawling back to me. And don’t forget—” He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “—you signed a contract marriage with me. You breached it. I hold all the power here.”

Without waiting for her response, Cedric turned on his heel and strode toward the elevator. The doors slid open as if on cue, and he stepped inside without looking back. Sophia stood frozen in the corridor, her chest rising and falling with controlled breaths. As the elevator doors closed, Cedric’s parting words echoed in her mind like a thunderclap.

\--------------------

The Following Day...

The morning sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Cedric Hall’s glass penthouse, casting long, golden streaks across the polished hardwood floor. The serenity of the space contrasted sharply with the restless energy Cedric carried as he paced near the entrance. The soft hum of birds outside the penthouse only made the impending conversation feel heavier.

The knock came, sharp and precise. Cedric froze, exhaling heavily before running a hand through his disheveled dark hair. He walked briskly to the door, each step resonating in the quiet room. He grabbed the sleek brass handle and swung it open to reveal Logan Porter, his lawyer, impeccably dressed in a tailored black suit with a matching tie. A briefcase dangled from his left hand, completing his professional look.

“Morning,” Logan greeted, his tone formal but warm.

“Morning,” Cedric replied, forcing a smile as he stepped aside and gestured for him to enter.

Logan nodded politely, stepping into the opulent ground-level space. His shoes made soft clicking sounds against the glossy floor, his eyes briefly scanning the penthouse. The room was a statement of understated luxury— neutral tones, modern furniture, and an aura of control and sophistication, much like the man who owned it.

“Sorry for dragging your ass down here on such short notice,” Cedric said as he led Logan toward the expansive living room, motioning for him to sit on the oversized cream couch at the center of the space.

“It’s no trouble,” Logan replied, settling down and carefully placing the briefcase beside him.

Cedric grabbed one of the ornate wooden stools that rested by the sleek coffee table and dragged it across the floor with a low screech, positioning himself directly across from Logan. The sound echoed, momentarily filling the room as the weight of the conversation hung between them.

“So,” Cedric began, leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees. His voice carried a mix of frustration and urgency. “What am I supposed to do, Mr. Lawyer?”

Logan adjusted his posture, brushing an invisible speck of dust off his lapel. His piercing blue eyes locked onto Cedric’s. “First, I need you to repeat everything you told me on the phone last night. Don’t leave anything out. I need all the details, Cedric.”

Cedric nodded, inhaling deeply. His jaw tightened as he began to recount the events. “Seven years ago, Sophia ran off with Michael. He was barely one year old then.” His voice cracked slightly, but he pressed on. “I looked everywhere for them. Private investigators, the works, but nothing. She vanished. Now, out of nowhere, I find out she’s now married to someone else, living her life like nothing happened.”

“And you want her to pay,” Logan said evenly, not as a question but as a confirmation.