Threads of power and secret

The tension in Sophie's room lingered long after Aiden stormed out. She sat on her bed, staring at the closed door, her heart pounding. The way he had looked at her, the way he had claimed her, sent a shiver down her spine. But she couldn't let him break her spirit.

Her phone sat on the bedside table, vibrating with a faint buzz. She hesitated before picking it up and scrolling to Kai Roberts' number. She needed to hear some good news, anything to distract her from the storm Aiden had brought into her life.

When Kai answered, his voice was calm and professional. "Sophie? Is everything okay?"

She swallowed hard, trying to keep her voice steady. "I just wanted to check on Zane. How is he?"

Kai's tone softened. "He's stable. The surgery is scheduled for tomorrow morning. If everything goes as planned, he should recover fully."

A wave of relief washed over her, and she exhaled shakily. "Thank you, Kai. I don't know what we'd do without you."

"You don't need to thank me," he replied. "Zane's strong. He'll pull through. And Sophie… if you need anything, don't hesitate to call, okay?"

She nodded, even though he couldn't see her. "I will. Thank you again."

After hanging up, Sophie leaned back against the headboard, her thoughts a mix of worry and exhaustion. At least Zane had a fighting chance. But what about her?

Meanwhile, Aiden stood in his study, staring out the window into the night. His mind replayed Sophie's words about Amelia. The mention of his ex had hit a nerve he hadn't expected.

Unable to let it go, he grabbed his phone and called Riley Woods.

"Riley," he said curtly, "I need you to dig into Sophie Davis's background. I want to know everything about her, including how she knows about Amelia Morris."

"Yes, sir," Riley replied without hesitation.

Aiden ended the call, his jaw tightening. Sophie was proving to be more than he had bargained for, and he wasn't sure if that frustrated him or intrigued him.

---

At the Davis household, Isla Davis sat in her luxurious new living room, sipping tea as her husband discussed business over the phone. She wore a satisfied expression, the kind that came with years of climbing the social ladder.

Indira entered the room, her heels clicking against the polished floor. "Mother, I have news."

Isla raised an eyebrow, setting her teacup down. "What is it, dear?"

"I've found a way to meet Aiden Wilson," Indira said confidently. "There's a function at the Wilson estate next week, and I've arranged for us to attend."

Isla's lips curved into a smile. "Impressive. And how did you manage that?"

Indira smirked. "I have my ways. This is our chance to solidify our place among the elites. And perhaps… I'll catch Aiden's attention."

Isla leaned back in her chair, pleased. "Good work, darling. Let's make sure this opportunity doesn't go to waste."

Back in her room, Sophie couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to get even more complicated. Aiden's intensity, her family's betrayal, and now Zane's condition—it all weighed heavily on her.

As she stared out the window at the darkened sky, she whispered to herself, "What have I gotten myself into?"

.....