Fractured echoes

Chapter 16: Fractured Echoes

"A heart can only shatter so many times before the cracks become permanent."

Sophia sat by the window, staring out at the cold, gray sky. The past few days had blurred together into a mess of emotions she couldn't even begin to untangle. Adrian's revelation about the pregnancy still echoed in her mind, but she refused to acknowledge it. No, it wasn't real. It couldn't be.

Her hands trembled as she clutched the silk robe around her, the fabric suffocating despite its softness. She had been throwing up, feeling exhausted, but none of that meant she was pregnant. It had to be something else stress, lack of sleep, maybe even the food. Anything but that.

Adrian had barely left her side, watching her like a hawk. She felt like a prisoner in her own skin, trapped in a nightmare that refused to end. Every time she looked at him, his eyes gleamed with something possessive, something knowing. It made her stomach twist.

She had tried to argue, to tell him he was wrong, but he had only smirked, taunting her in that cruel way he always did when he knew he had control.

"You can deny it all you want, little dove," he had murmured against her ear the night before. "Your body already belongs to me. And now, so does the life inside you."

She had slapped him. Hard.

He had only laughed.

---

Now, alone in her room, she felt a rage she didn't know how to handle.

Her life was supposed to be hers. She was supposed to have a future—university, independence, a career. She was supposed to make her own choices. But now, she was a caged bird with clipped wings, her path rewritten by a man who saw her as nothing more than his possession.

Sophia let out a frustrated scream, grabbing the nearest vase and hurling it against the wall. It shattered instantly, fragments scattering across the marble floor.

The door burst open. Adrian stood there, watching her with an amused expression, arms crossed over his chest. "Done throwing your tantrum?"

She glared at him, chest heaving. "I hate you."

His smirk deepened. "I know."

She stormed past him, but he grabbed her wrist, yanking her back. His grip was firm, but not painful. "You're not going anywhere."

"I need air."

"You'll get it. With me."

She yanked her hand free, turning away. "I don't want to be near you."

"That's unfortunate," he said smoothly, "because I was just about to take you out."

She blinked, confused. "What?"

"We're going on a date."

Sophia scoffed. "Like hell we are."

He tilted his head. "It wasn't a request."

---

The restaurant was lavish, candlelit, and eerily romantic. A place where real couples shared whispers over wine, where love wasn't forced or tangled in chains.

Sophia sat stiffly across from Adrian, arms folded. He had dressed her in a sleek black dress, her hair styled by one of the maids. But no amount of beauty could hide the resentment burning inside her.

She ignored the expensive food on the table, refused to look at him.

Adrian, however, was enjoying himself. He sipped his wine leisurely, watching her with that same amused glint.

"You look stunning tonight," he said.

She didn't respond.

His smirk remained. "Are you going to keep pouting, or will you actually eat?"

"I'm not hungry."

His gaze darkened slightly. "You are. You just want to be difficult."

She clenched her jaw. "I don't want to be here."

"Too bad."

Her nails dug into her palms. "Why are you doing this?"

"Because I can," he said simply, swirling his wine. "And because I like seeing you like this."

She scoffed, looking away. "You're sick."

Adrian reached across the table, brushing his fingers along her wrist. "And you're mine."

Sophia jerked away, her breath unsteady.

Then, a voice interrupted them.

"...Sophia?"

Her heart stopped.

She turned—and there he was.

Liam.

Liam had spent weeks searching for her. After the wedding, after she had disappeared, his gut had told him something was wrong.

Now, standing in the middle of a restaurant, he saw her.

But she wasn't the same.

She looked... trapped.

Her eyes, once full of light, were hollow. She wasn't the girl he used to know.

And then he saw Adrian.

The man's gaze was sharp, cold, possessive. His hand rested on the table near hers, a silent declaration of ownership.

Liam's fists clenched.

"Sophia," he said again, stepping closer.

Adrian's smirk widened. "Ah. The best friend."

Liam ignored him, focusing on Sophia. "Are you okay?"

Sophia opened her mouth but Adrian's fingers brushed against hers, a warning.

"I'm fine," she said softly.

Liam's jaw tightened. "You don't look fine."

Adrian chuckled. "Careful, boy. You're walking a dangerous line."

Liam's glare shot to him. "She's not your prisoner."

Adrian leaned forward. "Isn't she?"

Sophia swallowed hard, heart pounding.

Liam wouldn't stand a chance against Adrian. She knew that.

And Adrian? He enjoyed breaking people.

Before Liam could say anything else, Adrian leaned back with a smug smile. "It's been a pleasure. But our date is private."

A veiled threat.

Liam understood.

His hands curled into fists, but he stepped back. "Sophia... if you need anything—"

Adrian cut him off. "She won't."

Liam's jaw clenched. He shot Sophia one last look before walking away.

Sophia wanted to scream.

She wanted to run after him.

But Adrian's hand slid over hers, his grip tightening.

"You were about to make a mistake," he murmured.

She turned to him, fury in her eyes. "You can't control me forever."

His smirk returned. "Watch me."

---

Back Home

Adrian's mood had darkened after the restaurant. He was silent, but his grip on her waist was firm as he led her inside.

Noah, waiting in the living room, looked up. "Sophia?"

She forced a smile. "Hey, Noah."

Adrian released her, walking ahead without a word.

Noah frowned. "Is he mad at you?"

She exhaled shakily. "When is he not?"

Her little brother hugged her, his small arms comforting. "I missed you."

Tears burned in her eyes. "I missed you too, buddy."

Adrian, now upstairs, watched them from the railing. His expression was unreadable.

Then, his voice echoed.

"Come to bed, Sophia."

Her stomach twisted.

Noah's grip on her tightened. "Do you have to?"

She forced another smile. "I'll see you in the morning, okay?"

Noah hesitated, then nodded.

Sophia turned, making her way upstairs, dreading what waited for her behind that door.