Chapter 16

❤️Sophie❤️

“Dad, leave me the hell alone!” I slam the door so hard that the entire room shakes, then rest my back against it.

Yet his voice rings through the living room: “If he’s not here by 8 o'clock, you are leaving this house tomorrow.”

I ignore him, my pulse pounding loudly in my ears.

I almost forgot my house isn’t really my house right now. I should have gone to Sandy’s instead.

Actually, I never expected my father to be such a pain in the ass.

Even after telling him my boyfriend is coming tomorrow, he still refuses to let me breathe.

“I'm not the first person to get pregnant without a father, so why have you all ganged up against me?”

The sound of footsteps echoes through the hallway. I already know who it is before they get close.

A few seconds later, a knock sounds on the door, and my mom’s voice drifts through, “Sophie.”

I stay still against the door.

“Sophie, it’s your mother.”

After what feels like forever, I yank the door open.

Sure enough, my mother is standing there with worry etched on her face.

A sigh escapes me, “Mom, what do you want?”

Her expression softens slightly. “I want to talk to you.”

“I'm not in the mood for a discussion, Mom.”

She doesn't seem disappointed; instead, she smiles, “I know you’re going through a lot, but your father is doing all of this because he loves you. I don't want you to think otherwise.”

“No. He’s doing this because it makes him feel good. He likes control, and my pregnancy is an opportunity for him to feast on me. Maybe I should leave this house once and for all.”

For a moment, she says nothing, only studies me. Then she asks, “Can I come in? We can talk about this.”

Reluctantly, I step aside, she enters, and I close the door gently.

My mother walks over to the single couch in my room and sits.

I flop on the edge of my bed, biting the inside of my cheek, “Mom….”

“I understand. This is too much for now. But you should know that what you did is very wrong. Your father isn’t being harsh without reason.”

She pauses. “He was disappointed; not only him, but the entire family. He expected better. But what’s done is done. The past can't be changed; we only have to make things right now. That’s why your father has demanded to see your boyfriend.”

I cross my arms defiantly. “I already told him he will be here tomorrow.”

“What’s your boyfriend’s name?”

I open my mouth, then close it. How am I supposed to tell her it’s Adrian Blackwood, a man who’s thirteen years older than me?

My parents will probably kill me. “You’ll find out once he’s here.”

She doesn't look convinced, but she doesn't press for more answers.

“Whoever he is, I hope he’s someone your father will like.”

I almost scream in frustration. Why does everything have to be about my father? I'm the one who got cheated on; I'm the one carrying a baby inside me.

I'm the one married to the most annoying billionaire on earth. But no one cares, no one asks how I'm coping—all they care about is my father’s feelings.

“He is. Mom, I want to sleep; it’s late.”

She slowly stands up. “Alright, sleep well, my princess.”

I don't respond, until I hear her footsteps heading toward the living room. Then I lock the door. I throw myself onto the bed and shut my eyes.

The memories of the past weeks creep into my mind. It’s so funny how my life went from perfect to a joke so fast.

My parents are waiting for Adrian. I imagine them screaming after they see him. I shake my head. “No. It can't be that bad.” Can it?

A groan escapes me. What if he doesn't come? Damn! I’d probably get roasted by dad. What if he makes an excuse?

What if he’s just messing with me? What if he has no intention of following through with the contract? He’s rich—people like him can get away with anything.

My hand grabs my phone, and I start typing until the name Shadow_23 appears. My fingers hesitate. What am I supposed to tell him?

I type anyway: *Are you sure you will be here tomorrow?*

I wait several minutes, but no reply. Panic begins to set in. Has he been messing with me all this time?

My throat tightens. Maybe he’s busy. Maybe he’s asleep. Maybe he’s eating. God.

My fingers fly across the keyboard again: *Are you busy?*

Still no reply. One hour later, then two. I toss on the bed.

After waiting three hours, I sit up slowly and check my phone again.

Still no message from Shadow_23. I refresh the page—nothing changes.

Did this guy lie to me? Tears suddenly burn behind my eyes.

What am I going to tell my dad? It’s better to sneak out before anyone wakes.

If I see Adrian, I'm going to……

My phone vibrates. Another number. Before I can delete it in annoyance, my eyes catch the name on the message. Not Shadow_23.

Adrian.

My eyes widen. Relief crashes over me, and I almost start crying. I open the message.

Adrian: Hey wife, miss me?

“Idiot,” I mutter, blinking away the tears that are blurring my vision.

I type: *I would rather die than miss you, Sir Adrian.*

The three dots appear immediately, seconds later, the message drops.

*Really?*

I stare at the message and decide to let it slide: *I thought you changed your mind.*

*I don’t.*

That’s it?

I type again: *You couldn't have replied earlier?*

*I was busy.*

*You nearly gave me a heart attack.*

*You will survive.*

My lips purse. *If you don't show up, I will find you and create a scene.*

*I will. Go to bed, Sophie.*

He goes offline immediately. I stare at the screen for so long my eyes hurt.

Finally, I set the phone down and look at the ceiling. Tomorrow, Adrian will be here.

It’s either my parents accept him, or my life explodes all over again.