Chapter 131
Oliver's POV
The next morning, I sat beside Sophia in the hotel lobby, watching three men in deep blue uniforms enter through the revolving doors.
"Zenoria government officials," I murmured in her ear.
The lead official, a stern-faced man with silver hair, stopped before us. "Mr. Davidson? Ms. Wilson?"
"That's us." I stood, shifting into the formal posture I'd learned in diplomatic training.
"We're here to process your departure documentation. There are some final requirements to fulfill."
I nodded and reached into my briefcase, my fingers steady despite the weight of what I was about to do. The manila envelope felt heavier than it should as I handed it over.
"The technical materials you requested," I said evenly.
Forgive me, Grandmother. But this is for her.
The official opened the envelope, scanning the documents inside. After a moment, he gave a respectful bow. "This is acceptable. Your convoy has been cleared for departure."
As the officials turned to leave, Sophia's hand grabbed my arm with surprising strength.
"What did you just give them?" she demanded, her voice low but urgent.
I felt my face go carefully blank. "It's not your concern, Sophia."
"Like hell it's not." She gripped my sleeve tightly. "This is the deal to secure my freedom, isn't it? That document—was it your grandmother's patents?"
My face must have given something away because her eyes widened with realization.
"You gave them her research," she breathed. "Oliver, do you know what you've done?"
"It's not—" I tried to pull away, but she held firm.
"Don't you dare lie to me. Not after everything we've been through."
The accusation in her voice lit a fire in my chest. "I'm saving you!" The words exploded from me, raw and desperate.
"Then I'd rather you didn't save me!" she shot back, anger flaring in her eyes.
She started toward the lobby doors, and panic seized me. I caught her around the waist, pulling her back against my chest.
"It was just the old version," I said quickly, my breath warm against her ear. "Sophia, please. Just outdated research."
She looked at my face, searching for signs of deception. But this time it was the truth.
I pulled her toward the car, ready to explain everything on the road.
"Explain," she said, not looking at me.
I kept my voice steady. "The research I gave them was from ten years ago. Obsolete technology that's been surpassed by newer developments."
"But still valuable enough to secure our release."
"Yes." My throat felt tight. "I used it to pressure Aegis Biopharma through official channels. They had to let you go."
She studied my profile, and I could feel the weight of her scrutiny.
"So you think I have no principles? That I would betray my country?"
Something in her expression softened. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have assumed—"
"The documents I gave them weren't core technology," I continued, needing her to understand. "Sentimental copies my grandmother left me. The real work, the classified material—that stays with me."
I met her gaze, letting her see my fierce protectiveness.
"Even so," she murmured, "using your grandmother's work to buy my freedom... the cost was too high."
For you? I'd burn down half the world.
"For you?" I said quietly. "I'd pay it again."
The words hung between us, carrying more than a decade of suppressed emotion.
---
On the plane, I tried to sleep but kept jolting awake, my body still on high alert. When I finally dozed off properly, I woke to find Sophia's seat empty.
Panic hit me like ice water. "Where's Sophia?" I asked the flight attendant, unable to keep the urgency from my voice.
"I'm here," came her voice from behind me.
Relief flooded through me so completely that I felt dizzy. Christ, I need to get a grip.
"I just went to the bathroom," she said, settling beside me. "Don't be so tense."
I stretched, wincing at the lingering soreness.
"What's your plan when we get back?" I started the conversation.
She considered the question. "Honestly? I'm not sure. You?"
"Rebuild." The determination in my voice surprised even me. "I'm going to take everything I have—my resources, my connections, my knowledge—and build something that's entirely mine. A business empire that doesn't depend on anyone else's approval."
Something worthy of her. Something her father can't dismiss.
"That's... quite an undertaking."
"I'll succeed," I said with quiet confidence. "I'll prove to everyone—including your father—that I'm worth something."
That I'm worthy of you.
"Whatever happens," she said carefully, "if you need help, you can come to me."
I couldn't help the bitter laugh that escaped. "You might be too busy dealing with all the eligible bachelors your family arranges for you."
Then she said something that stopped my heart: "I'll always wait for you."
We both froze. I stared at her, searching her face for any sign she didn't mean it.
I tried to forget her back then, and she was waiting all along.
Suddenly, the plane lurched violently, caught in turbulence. Sophia's hands flew to the armrests, knuckles white with tension.
"Hey." I covered her hand with mine without thinking. "It's just air currents. Nothing dangerous."
"I'm not scared," she lied, but her fingers tightened around mine.
"Of course you're not," I said softly, unable to hide my smile.
She was always terrible at admitting vulnerability.
When the turbulence passed, I became acutely aware of our joined hands. How her fingers fit perfectly between mine, the softness of her skin, how her pulse fluttered against my palm.
She pulled away quickly, her cheeks beginning to flush.
I stared at my empty palm, feeling the loss like a physical ache. But I didn't reach for her again. I'd learned that lesson the hard way—Sophia Wilson came to you on her own terms, or not at all.
The plane continued its steady path home, carrying us back to a world where her family's expectations would come between us again. But now, in this suspended moment, I wished it could pause forever.