Sophie’s POV
I was frozen in terror as Derek’s hand clamped over my mouth, dragging into the dark alley. The cold knife pressed against my cheek twice, making my heart shatter with fear. I couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe.
"Sophie Hart," he sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "Long ti no see. When you left to die, did you ever imagine there’d co a day like this?"
I whimpered pathetically, my body already trembling uncontrollably. He wasn’t here just for revenge—he wanted sothing from .
"I’ll uncover your mouth, but don’t scream. If you bring trouble, I’ll slice up this pretty face of yours." His eyes glead dangerously in the dim light. "Without that beautiful face, how will you seduce n anymore?"
God, he knew exactly where to hit. I nodded frantically, desperate for him to remove his sweaty palm from my mouth.
When he finally released , I gasped for air while he casually played with his switchblade, flicking it open and closed.
"Surprised to see , Sophie?" His tone was conversational, as if we were old friends eting for coffee.
I took several deep breaths, trying to calm myself enough to think clearly. "Derek, let’s not be hasty. Whatever you want, we can discuss it. No need for violence."
He snorted. "At least you’re smart enough to understand the situation. Hand over the money."
Money I could part with—my life was worth more. I quickly pulled a card from my purse and held it out with shaking fingers.
"How much is on this?" He snatched it roughly.
"Three hundred thousand," I forced a placating smile. "It’s all yours, brother Derek. Take it."
He pocketed the card but wasn’t satisfied. "I suffered because of you, almost lost my fucking life. This pittance? Are you kidding ?"
I inhaled deeply and reluctantly pulled out my wallet. He grabbed it before I could even offer it, clearly intending to take everything.
I bit my lip hard but stayed silent. "Are we good now, brother Derek?"
After examining my wallet, he nodded with satisfaction. "Sophie, this only makes up for a small portion of what you owe . When I run out, I’ll be back for more. Count on it."
He walked away with a smug smile. Once he disappeared from sight, I collapsed to the ground, my legs finally giving out.
Looking at his retreating figure, a flash of deadly hatred crossed my eyes.
I thought he wouldn’t co back for , but I was wrong. A few days later, I was horrified to find Derek barging into my apartnt. I was in my nightgown and nearly jumped out of my skin.
"How did you get in?" I gasped.
He snorted dismissively. "I live in the underworld, sweetheart. Picking a lock? Child’s play."
I felt despair washing over . Being targeted by soone like him ant I’d never know peace again.
"Cut the crap, hand over the cash!" He thrust his hand out impatiently.
My body trembled as I tried to sound pitiful. "Brother Derek, I gave you everything last ti. I really don’t have anything left."
Of course I had more money hidden away—my ergency fund for when things in New York inevitably went south—but I’d rather die than give him that.
Derek didn’t believe for a second and began ransacking my apartnt, searching for valuables. Terrified, I discreetly reached for my phone to call for help.
Before I could dial, he lunged at , snatched the phone, and smashed it to the floor. Without warning, his hand cracked across my face in a vicious slap.
"You fucking bitch, am I being too nice to you?" he snarled.
My cheek burned, swelling imdiately as tears sprang to my eyes. I looked pathetic, and I knew it.
"Let warn you," he growled, "if you dare tell Ryan Blackwood where I am, I’ll fucking end you." He paused, roughly grabbing my chin.
"But before I kill you, I’ll carve up this pretty face, let you experience what it’s like to wish you were dead."
I shook violently as he released with a shove, sending crumpling to the floor.
Ignoring my distress, he thodically looted my apartnt—jewelry, limited-edition handbags, even two custom designer dresses. Anything valuable disappeared into his greedy hands.
Before leaving, he gave one last chilling smile. "Sophie, doesn’t this feel familiar? When you hired back then, you paid to make a ss like this, didn’t you? For your little show?"
"How ironic—what was once an act is now reality. Funny how life works out, isn’t it?"
He left in high spirits, pleased with his haul. It would fund his debauchery for a while longer.
After he left, I gritted my teeth, finally making the decision I’d been avoiding.
---
Serena’s POV
Ryan pulled away from , his expression transforming from passionate lover to ruthless businessman in seconds. The phone call had clearly shattered our intimate mont.
"What’s happening?" I asked, clutching the sheet to my naked body, suddenly feeling vulnerable.
"It’s about Derek," he said tersely, already pulling on his boxer briefs with sharp, efficient movents. "I’m taking so n to check it out."
"Where?" I whispered, watching Ryan dress with military precision. "I want to go with you."
"I can’t tell you that," he said, buttoning his shirt with quick fingers. "And you’re staying here, where it’s safe."
Why can’t you tell what’s happening" I demanded, already sliding my legs over the edge of the bed."If Derek’s involved, I have every right to know."
Ryan sighed heavily, running a hand through his tousled hair. "Sophie says she’s been threatened by Derek."
My blood ran cold at the ntion of her na. Sophie. The woman who’d pretended to be dead, who’d manipulated Ryan for years, who’d been complicit in my kidnapping.
And now she was claiming to be Derek’s victim? Sothing didn’t add up.
"And you believe her? Just like that?"
"I don’t know what to believe," Ryan admitted, his jaw tense. "But if Derek is really back, we need to handle it. This affects your safety too."
"Exactly why I’m coming with you," I insisted, already reaching for my clothes despite my growing belly making movents less graceful than before.
"I don’t trust Sophie’s word. I need to see for myself if it’s true."
Ryan watched dress, his expression darkening with each passing second.
I could practically see the battle raging inside him—protect by keeping away, or protect by keeping close.
"Serena, think about the baby," he said, his voice softer now.
"I am thinking about our baby," I countered, pulling a sweater over my head. "If Derek is really back, I need to know exactly what we’re dealing with. I can’t just sit here wondering and worrying."
Ryan’s jaw tightened as he watched , clearly unhappy with my decision. But after a mont of internal struggle, he finally nodded in agreent.
"Fine. But you stay close to the entire ti. If anything feels off—anything at all—we’re leaving imdiately."
The drive to Sophie’s apartnt was tense, my mind racing with possibilities. What if this was just another one of her manipulative gas? Or worse, what if Derek really had returned? The man who’d smirked as he’d tried to kill , who’d threatened my unborn child without a flicker of remorse.
Ryan kept one hand on the steering wheel and the other on my thigh, his thumb absently stroking back and forth as if to remind himself I was still there, still safe.
When we arrived at Sophie’s apartnt, we were both shocked by the scene before us.
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