Shadows of the past

The room plunged into darkness.

Sophia's breath caught in her throat as the overhead light flickered once, twice—then died completely, leaving only the dim glow of the city lights seeping through the windows.

"Elijah?" she whispered, instinctively reaching for him in the dark.

"I'm here," he murmured, his voice close, warm, and steady despite the tension crackling in the air. His fingers brushed against hers, anchoring her even as uncertainty swirled around them.

Marcus swore under his breath. "It's them," he muttered, moving toward the window with calculated ease. "I was afraid of this."

Sophia's heart pounded. Them?

A moment ago, she had been bracing herself for revelations about her past. Now, it seemed her past wasn't content with being spoken about—it was coming for her.

"Elijah, what's going on?" she asked, forcing her voice to remain steady.

He exhaled sharply, his grip tightening around her hand. "It could be nothing," he said, but even in the darkness, she could sense the tension in his body. He didn't believe his own words.

A sudden noise outside—footsteps, hushed voices—sent a chill up Sophia's spine.

Marcus turned to her, his face barely visible in the faint glow from the street. "We need to move."

Before she could protest, Elijah stepped in front of her protectively. "No one is taking her anywhere unless I say so."

Marcus sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. "Listen, I don't have time to argue with you, CEO," he said, his voice laced with irritation. "Whoever's out there isn't just here for a friendly chat. We need to go. Now."

Elijah didn't budge. "Sophia stays with me."

Sophia, despite the adrenaline surging through her veins, couldn't help but feel a flicker of warmth at his unwavering protectiveness.

But before she could speak, the voices outside grew louder. The door handle rattled.

Someone was trying to get in.

A sharp knock echoed through the silence.

"Elijah Sinclair," a voice called from the other side. "We know you're in there. Open the door."

Elijah's entire body went rigid.

That wasn't the voice of a stranger.It was someone from his own world.

Sophia felt the shift in him immediately, the barely restrained anger rolling off him in waves. She pressed a hand to his arm, grounding him. "Who is it?" she asked quietly.

Elijah's jaw clenched. "Someone I'd rather not deal with right now."

The knocking came again, more insistent this time.

"Sinclair," the voice repeated, smoother now, almost amused. "Are you really going to keep me waiting?"

Sophia exchanged a glance with Marcus, who looked equally wary. Whoever was on the other side wasn't just here for her. They were here for Elijah, too.

Elijah ran a hand through his hair, then exhaled heavily. "Stay behind me," he murmured to Sophia, then strode toward the door and yanked it open.

A tall, impeccably dressed man stood on the threshold, his sharp suit perfectly pressed, his dark eyes glinting with something unreadable.

"Ah," the man said smoothly, a slow smirk curving his lips. "There you are, cousin."

Sophia's breath hitched.

Cousin?

Elijah's entire frame tensed, his grip tightening on the doorframe as if he were holding himself back from slamming it shut.

"Kai," he said, his voice low and clipped.

Kai Sinclair.

Sophia had never heard the name before, but the look Elijah gave him made it abundantly clear—this was not a happy family reunion.

Kai's gaze flickered over to her, sharp and assessing, before a slow, knowing smile spread across his face. "And you must be Sophia."

The way he said her name sent an uneasy shiver down her spine.

"I've been looking forward to meeting you."

The feeling wasn't mutual.

Sophia swallowed hard, glancing up at Elijah. His expression had darkened, his jaw set in a way that made it clear he was barely holding his temper in check.

Kai leaned casually against the doorframe, as if he wasn't intruding on a tense situation. "You're making quite the headlines, dear cousin," he continued, amusement dripping from every word. "Engaged to an heiress in hiding? That's bold. Even for you."

Sophia's stomach twisted. He knew.

Elijah exhaled sharply. "What do you want, Kai?"

Kai chuckled, shaking his head as if Elijah had asked something ridiculous. "Oh, come on now. No need to be so hostile." He glanced at Sophia again. "I simply came to see the woman who's managed to capture my dear cousin's attention so thoroughly."

Sophia frowned. There was something about the way he spoke—too smooth, too calculated. Like he was testing the waters, seeing how much he could push.

Elijah didn't bite. "You saw her. Now leave."

Kai's smirk didn't falter. "Still so impatient." Then, after a pause, his expression turned serious. "I actually came with a warning."

Sophia and Elijah both stilled.

Kai's gaze hardened. "You're playing a dangerous game, Elijah. You think you can just throw the Sinclair name around without consequences?" He shook his head. "There are people watching. People who don't appreciate what you're doing."

Elijah's jaw ticked. "Is that a threat?"

Kai tilted his head. "Just some friendly advice."

Sophia didn't miss the way Marcus had subtly shifted, as if ready to intervene if necessary. The tension in the air was suffocating, each second stretching unbearably.

Finally, Kai straightened, flashing one last smirk. "Well, I won't keep you any longer," he said breezily. "Enjoy your engagement." He winked at Sophia. "I'm sure we'll see each other again soon."

Then, just like that, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the night.

Sophia let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

Elijah, however, remained rigid, staring after Kai with an expression so unreadable it sent a chill down her spine.

She hesitated, then touched his arm gently. "Elijah?"

He blinked, as if just remembering she was there, then sighed and ran a hand down his face. "I knew they'd come," he murmured. "I just didn't expect it to be so soon."

Sophia's stomach twisted. "Who is 'they'?"

Elijah's gaze met hers, something dark and troubled flickering in their depths.

"The Sinclair family," he said. "And they don't take kindly to surprises."

A fresh wave of uncertainty crashed over Sophia.

This engagement had started as a contract, a practical arrangement. But now, with her past resurfacing and Elijah's own family getting involved, the lines between business and something far more personal were beginning to blur.

And as the night stretched on, one thing became clear—this was only the beginning.

Because once the Sinclairs set their sights on you, there was no turning back.