Sophie Evans
I stormed out of Liam’s penthouse, my heart pounding violently against my chest. My hands were shaking, my vision slightly blurred with unshed tears.
This was it. My last shot.
If Liam didn’t help, I had no one else to turn to. No other options. No backup plan.
Lucas was running out of time, and so was I.
As I walked down the sidewalk, aimless and lost, the sound of an approaching car caught my attention. I turned to see James slowing to a stop beside me. He rolled down the window and motioned for me to get in.
I hesitated.
“Come on, Sophie,” he called out with an easy smile. “You look like you’re about to collapse.”
That was probably true. I hadn’t eaten properly in days, barely slept, and had spent the last few hours begging a man who probably still despised me.
I bit my lip, then exhaled sharply before pulling open the door and sliding into the passenger seat.
“Where are we going?” I asked, eyeing him suspiciously.
James chuckled as he pulled back onto the road. “Liam already sorted everything out.”
I blinked. “What does that mean?”
Before he could answer, my stomach growled loudly, betraying me.
James glanced at me, amused. “Well, for starters, it means you need to eat.”
I frowned as he pulled over and pointed toward the backseat. My eyes followed his gesture, landing on a food flask carefully placed on the seat.
“He told me to bring you food,” James said. “Go on, get in the back and eat before you pass out.”
I stared at him, suspicious. “Where did this food come from?”
James smirked. “Liam made it himself.”
I scoffed. “Liam cooked?”
“Yes,” James confirmed, watching my reaction.
I crossed my arms stubbornly. “I’m not eating it.”
James raised a brow. “And why is that?”
“Because I don’t trust Liam,” I said without hesitation.
James burst into laughter. “Sophie, if I ever got the chance to be reborn, the first person I’d trust in this life again would be Liam Devereux.”
I looked away, refusing to let his words sink in. Liam wasn’t the trustworthy type. Not anymore.
Still, as the car moved forward, the scent of the food filled my nostrils, making my stomach twist with longing. I glanced back at the flask before shaking my head and forcing myself to ignore it.
Minutes later, James pulled up in front of the hospital.
Before the car had even fully stopped, I jumped out, sprinting toward the entrance. My heart pounded with dread, terrified that something had already happened in the time I was gone.
But as soon as I stepped inside, I froze. There were police officers everywhere.
I turned sharply, searching for James. He was walking in calmly behind me, carrying the food flask, a bouquet of flowers, and a few other things in his hands.
I swallowed hard. “James—”
“Relax,” he interrupted before I could even ask the question. “Liam has connections with the police force. You don’t have to worry anymore.”
Relief crashed over me like a wave. My legs nearly gave out. Lucas was safe. For the first time in days, I felt like I could breathe again.
I let out a shaky exhale and turned toward the hallway leading to Lucas’s room. James followed closely behind.
Just as we reached the door, a loud crash echoed from inside.
I gasped with fear and pushed the door open hurriedly. James and I rushed inside.
The sight before me made my blood run cold.
Benita was struggling violently against two officers, her face red with fury. She thrashed in their grip, her eyes wild and unhinged.
“You don’t understand!” she screamed. “I didn’t do anything wrong! This is a mistake! Sophie, tell them! Tell them I was taking care of Lucas!”
I just stood there. Watching, without a word.
The officers fought to restrain her, but she kicked and flailed, knocking over a tray of medical supplies in the process.
“I loved him!” she shrieked. “I was the only one who took care of him while you abandoned him! And this is how you repay me?!”
Still, I didn’t move. She wasn’t worth it.
With one final struggle, the officers managed to snap a pair of handcuffs around her wrists, locking her arms behind her back. But just as they started dragging her out of the room, she turned her head toward me, her lips curling into a sinister smile.
“This isn’t over. Lucas will still die, Sophie,” she whispered.