CHAPTER 57: Caught Between Two Traitors

CHAPTER 57: Caught Between Two Traitors
CHAPTER 57
SOFIA

I lay wide awake on the bed, staring up at the ceiling with heavy, restless eyes. No matter how hard I tried, sleep wouldn’t come. I tossed from one side to the other, then flipped onto my back, heart pounding like a drum inside my chest. My thoughts kept circling around Brandon’s words, repeating over and over like a broken record. Something about everything felt wrong — like a puzzle that didn’t quite fit. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was missing something important.

And what angered me the most was how completely in the dark I felt. Once again, it seemed like I was just a pawn in someone else’s game. Like I had no control. Like I was just being pushed around, manipulated, lied to — and I hated it.

I felt drained, mentally and physically, yet sleep still wouldn’t come. I shut my eyes tight and tried again, but my body wouldn’t let go of the tension. Minutes turned into hours, and I lay there, unmoving, counting the seconds as the night dragged on. Eventually, frustration pushed me out of bed and I began pacing the room. A few steps here, a turn, then back again. I kept walking in circles, hoping to wear myself out.

Then, out of nowhere, a soft knock came at the door. My heart jumped, and I froze. My legs locked in place, my body stiff with unease. Slowly, I sat back down, wrapping my arms around my knees as my eyes locked on the door.

It creaked open — slowly, carefully — and I blinked in confusion when I saw Collins step in.

Not Diego. Collins.

My eyes widened. “Wait… what are you doing here?” I asked, startled, my voice shaky.

He stepped inside quickly, shutting the door behind him without making a sound. His face looked tense, eyes darting around like he was afraid someone would hear him.

“Listen to me,” he said, his voice low but urgent. “We don’t have time. You need to get up and follow me. Right now. We’ve got to move fast.”

I stared at him, confused and suspicious. “Why? What’s going on?”

He shook his head. “There’s no time to explain everything. I’ll tell you what I can on the way. But you’ve got to trust me and come with me. Now.”

I didn’t move. My gut was screaming at me not to take a single step.

“There’s no way I’m leaving until you tell me what the hell is going on,” I said firmly, locking eyes with him.

Collins looked around once more, then lowered his voice until it was barely a whisper. “Diego lied to you, Sofia. Everything he told you about Brandon’s uncle — it’s all fake. He never planned to take you there. He made a deal with Unit 13. He’s going to hand you over to them in exchange for immunity. That’s the real plan.”

My heart nearly stopped. “What?” I gasped, staring at him in disbelief. “He wants to give me to Unit 13? Why? Why would he do that?”

“I don’t know all the details,” Collins said, his expression full of guilt. “But I found out tonight. And there’s no way I’m letting that happen to you. Not if I can help it.”

I stared at him, my mind spinning. I didn’t know what to think or believe. “Why?” I asked, my voice quiet. “Why are you helping me?”

He looked me dead in the eyes. “I know I went against my boss by helping you leave the penthouse, and maybe I messed up. But this… this is different. You’re in danger, Sofia. Real danger. And whether you believe me or not, Lucas deserves to know you’re alive.”

I looked down, torn between trusting him and staying right where I was. I couldn’t think straight. Everything felt like it was crashing down. Maybe I never should have left the penthouse. At least there, I had Lucas. At least there, I felt somewhat safe — even after everything.

Now? Now I was just... lost.

“Sofia?” Collins called gently, snapping me back to the moment.

I lifted my eyes to him. “I need to know why you’re really doing this,” I said. “You were loyal to Lucas. Then you let me leave. And now you’re trying to take me back to him? It doesn’t add up. Unless… is this about your fight with Diego?”

“No, it’s not that,” Collins said, shaking his head slowly.

“Then what is it?” I pressed. “Because this doesn’t make any sense. I understand you’re worried, but I want to know the real reason.”

He let out a heavy breath and looked at me seriously. “This isn’t about Diego. And it’s not just some personal drama. This is about something much bigger. Codice Oscuro is involved now. And if they ever find out that you’re alive — and that you’re married to their enemy — they’ll come after you with everything they’ve got. And they won’t stop.”

My breath caught in my throat. I didn’t want to believe him, but at the same time, something about the way he spoke — the fear in his eyes — made it feel real.

Still, I hesitated. “I don’t know, Collins. I really don’t know who to trust anymore.”

He took a step closer, voice low and steady. “We don’t have much time, Sofia. If you come with me now, I promise I’ll get you back to Lucas. If you stay, I can’t protect you. And you might not get another chance.”

My head was spinning. My heart was racing. I wanted to scream. I needed answers, time, something — anything.

“Just… give me a moment to think, please,” I whispered.

“Alright,” he nodded. “But don’t take too long. I’ll be back soon.”

With that, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving the door slightly ajar behind him.

I stood up again, pacing the room like a caged animal. My thoughts were all over the place, my chest tightening with every second that passed. My hands were shaking. I couldn’t tell what was right or wrong anymore. All I knew was that something was coming. And fast.

The door swung open again, and this time Collins didn’t waste a second.

“We have to go. Now,” he said urgently.

Before I could even open my mouth to respond, he rushed toward me. I felt the sharp pinch of a needle in my arm and my scream was cut off as he slapped a cloth over my mouth.

I struggled. I tried to fight back. But whatever was in that syringe, it worked fast. My limbs grew heavy, my vision blurred, and the world began to spin.

I tried to stay upright, to resist — but it was no use. My legs gave out from under me. The last thing I saw was Collins’ face hovering above me as everything went black and I slipped into unconsciousness.