Protecting Her

Leonard had been noticing it for days now.

Sophie was distracted. Quiet. She smiled when he looked at her, but the warmth behind it had dimmed. Her eyes lingered longer on her phone, her replies came slower, and she had started waking up earlier—leaving for work before he did.

That wasn't like her.

When she slipped out of the house before dawn again, Leonard sent her a simple text:

Leonard: Why so early, love? You okay?

Sophie: Just some things I need to settle before my manager comes in. Don't worry.

He stared at her reply longer than necessary. His gut told him something wasn't right.

The next morning, Sophie stood by the window, her eyes red from lack of sleep. Leonard emerged from the bathroom, drying his hair, but paused when he saw her distant expression.

"Sophie," he said gently, "what's going on?"

She turned to him slowly, forcing a small smile. "I've been thinking… maybe we rushed into this marriage. Maybe we're not right for each other."

Leonard's expression darkened. "What are you talking about?"

"I just… I don't think I can be the wife you need." Her voice cracked slightly, but she hid it with a forced laugh. "It's not about you. It's me. I feel like I'm holding you back."

He stared at her, unmoving. "This isn't like you," he said quietly.

"I want a divorce," she said, the words stabbing through her chest. "It's better for both of us."

Leonard didn't react—not right away. But the storm in his eyes said everything. "No," he said, stepping toward her. "Something's happened. And I'm not letting you walk away until I know the truth."

Sophie's breath hitched. She looked away, trying to keep her composure, but her voice trembled despite her best efforts. "Leonard… please. Don't make this harder than it already is."

He didn't budge. His eyes never left her.

"You love me," he said, not as a question, but a fact. "I know you do. So whatever reason you're standing here—pushing me away—it's not because you've stopped."

Her throat tightened. "That's not the point."

"Then tell me what is," he snapped, his control slipping for the first time. "Because out of nowhere, you're cold, you're hiding something, and now you want a divorce? You think I'll just believe that's for my sake?"

Sophie's eyes welled, but she forced herself to stay still. "I don't want to hurt you."

"Then why are you lying to me?" Leonard stepped closer, his voice low, raw. "Was it someone? Did someone say something to you? Threaten you?"

She flinched—but that small reaction was all it took. Leonard's expression shifted, sharp and dangerous.

"Who was it, Sophie?"

"I can't," she whispered, backing away. "Please… just let it go."

But Leonard shook his head. "No. You're my wife. And no matter what you think you're protecting me from—whatever it is—you're not doing this alone."

Leonard's heart dropped as she turned from him, her shoulders trembling as she walked away.

He didn't stop her—not yet. His fists clenched at his sides, jaw tight with frustration and fear.

The tear on her cheek said more than her words ever could.

Something was wrong. Deeply wrong.

And if Sophie wouldn't tell him now, he'd find out himself. He took out his phone and buzzed for his head of security, Jacob.

"Dig into Sophie's messages. Any unusual activity, especially from unknown numbers—past two weeks. And check security footage of the estate and any of her visits to the Lin Residence. I want to know if anyone's been watching her."

Jacob hesitated. "Understood."

Two hours later, Jacob returned with a tablet in hand, his face grim.

"We traced the number that sent her several encrypted messages. It's a burner—off-grid—but the texts were intercepted briefly through our backend. You'll want to see this."

Leonard scrolled through the retrieved content, his jaw clenching tighter with every word.

Photos of Sophie—changing clothes in the Lin guest room. Some grainy, but unmistakably invasive. And the message attached:

" "If you don't divorce Leonard Yan within the week, these will be sent to every major tabloid in the city. You'll bring shame to the Yan family…"."

Another message just sent to Sophie:

"Tonight. 8PM. Orchid Hill Car Park, Level 2. Come alone if you want the photos.."

Leonard's grip tightened on the tablet, his knuckles white.

Jacob spoke quietly. "We tried to dig out the footage and notice all these photos are taken between last year till Mrs Yan moved out from Lin Residence—"

Leonard raised a hand. "It's Amelia."

"Sir?"

"Amelia Lin. Only someone from that house could've had access. And the one person who has motive to tear Sophie down... is her."

A cold fury settled over him. His mind was already racing—not just to stop the blackmailer, but to protect Sophie from the guilt she was silently carrying.

"She was going to sacrifice everything," Leonard murmured, voice tight. "To protect me."

He stood up slowly, every movement deliberate and controlled. "I'm ending this."

*****

That afternoon, Sophie's phone buzzed in her pocket. She stepped away from her desk and glanced at the screen.

Unknown Number: Tonight. 8PM. Orchid Hill Car Park, Level 2. Come alone if you want the photos.

She swallowed hard. Her fingers trembled as she typed:

Sophie: I'll be there.

She didn't know what terrified her more—the threat of those photos going public, or the idea of Leonard finding out before she could protect him.

The sky was already dusky when Sophie arrived at Orchid Hill, the lights casting long shadows across the empty car park. She wrapped her arms tightly around herself, her steps tentative.

A familiar figure stepped out from behind a pillar.

Her breath caught.

"Ryan?" she said in disbelief. "You…?"

The man smirked, casual in his stance but eyes sharp. "Surprised? I figured you'd remember me. After all, I've been around Amelia long enough."

Sophie stiffened. "You sent those texts?"

He didn't deny it.

"She was the one who took the photos," he said with a shrug. "Amelia had them saved. Guess she was very generous to share them with me."

Sophie's stomach twisted. "Why?"

Ryan leaned closer, lowering his voice. "Because Amelia wanted to ruin you. But when I saw your photos… "You've got a killer body hidden under all those modest clothes. Who knew?"

Her hands clenched into fists under the table. "You're disgusting."

Ryan smirked. "Maybe. But I'm also the one with all the copies." He pulled out his phone, swiping to a photo—Sophie, unaware, in a moment of vulnerability. "I've had a lot of fun with these. You had no idea how many times I cum for you"

Her stomach turned. "Delete them."

"Or what?" He tilted his head. "Here's my offer: one night with me, and I'll hand over every last one. No more leaks, no more humiliation." His voice dropped. "And trust me, you'll enjoy it just as much as I will."

But before he could say more, footsteps echoed behind them—steady, sharp, familiar.

Sophie turned and froze.

Leonard Yan stepped into view, his expression thunderous.

"Sophie," he said tightly. "Go wait in the car."

Her eyes widened in horror. "Leonard—"

"Now."

Sophie's feet remained planted, her heart pounding against her ribs. But the look in Leonard's eyes—sharp, cold, unmistakably furious—left no room for argument.

She nodded faintly and backed away, casting one last glance at Ryan before turning toward the car. Her legs were shaking.

Leonard didn't even watch her leave. His focus was locked solely on the man in front of him.

Ryan tried to mask his unease with a scoff. "Well, well. The CEO himself. Guess the wife didn't follow instructions."

Leonard walked forward slowly, each step echoing with quiet menace. "You sent her threatening messages. Blackmailed her. Used photos taken without her knowledge."

He stopped inches away from Ryan, his voice dropping low. "Tell me. How do you want to disappear—quietly or screaming?"

Ryan stiffened, his bravado faltering. "She came on her own. She agreed to meet. I didn't force her."

Leonard's jaw clenched. "And what was your plan? Extort her? Humiliate her? Touch what doesn't belong to you?"

Ryan opened his mouth, but Leonard didn't wait for a reply. His hand shot out and slammed Ryan against the concrete wall, forearm pressing across his chest.

Ryan gasped, squirming. "I didn't mean—"

"You touched Sophie's peace of mind," Leonard said coldly. "And for that, I don't need a reason to destroy you. I only need time."

He let Ryan drop with a harsh shove. The man stumbled and crumpled to the ground, coughing.

Leonard crouched slightly, his voice deadly calm. "You'll send me every copy of those photos. The original files. The backups. All of it. Or I'll make sure your name never appears in this city again except in lawsuits and police reports."

Ryan swallowed hard. "And what about Amelia?"

Leonard straightened slowly. "She'll answer me next."

Outside, Sophie stood by the car, arms folded tightly across her chest, tears slipping silently down her cheeks.

Leonard walked over moments later, his steps slower now. The fury in his eyes had softened, replaced by something deeper—hurt, confusion… and protectiveness.

"Sophie," he said gently.

She looked up, eyes wide and red. "I'm sorry…"

But he didn't let her finish. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his chest, holding her like she was something breakable.

"I should've known something was wrong," he murmured. "You were never alone in this. Never."

Her tears returned in full force, and she buried her face into his shoulder.

"I just wanted to protect you," she whispered.

Leonard's grip tightened. "Then let me protect you, too."