C12 Stop dad!

Sofia's POV

Rae hesitated but nodded, clearly nervous about the potential fallout. “Of course, Mrs. Sofia. I’ll handle it immediately.”

As Rae left the room, I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair. The tension in this house was suffocating, and every interaction with Alex made it worse. But the thought of seeing my father brought a strange sense of comfort—even if I knew he wouldn’t approve of my situation.

After finishing my meal, I walked into the bathroom and let the warm water soothe my tense muscles. My mind drifted back to the day's events, and, against my will, Zack’s face kept appearing in my thoughts.

How had I allowed myself to feel this way? It wasn’t just the way he had defended me, but the quiet strength in his eyes, the way he seemed to see through me. His warmth, his smell, his touch...

I shook my head, trying to dismiss the dangerous thoughts. This wasn’t right. No matter how Alex treated me, I was still his wife, and I had made vows, even if he didn’t honor them.

When I stepped out of the bathroom, dressed and ready to leave, Rae was already waiting by the door.

“The chauffeur is ready, Miss Sofia,” she said softly. “I’ve also sent the message to Mr. Alex’s assistant, as you requested.”

“Thank you,” I replied, as I stood up from the bed.

As I walked out of the room, I caught a glimpse of Zack again, leaning against one of the marble columns in the grand hall, his gaze fixed on the floor. His jaw was tight, his knuckles bruised, and his shirt had been replaced, though the tension in his posture remained.

He looked up as I passed, our eyes locking for a fleeting moment. There was something in his expression—concern, anger, or maybe regret—but I quickly looked away, forcing myself to focus on the task at hand.

I couldn’t afford to let Zack become a bigger part of my thoughts than he already was. This house was already a battlefield, and I had to tread carefully.

As the car pulled out of the driveway, I leaned back against the seat, staring out the window. My father’s house wasn’t far, but it felt like I was heading to a different world—one where I could still remember who I used to be before all of this chaos began.

*********

"Sofia, what are you doing here?" My father asked as I stepped out of the car, and headed into the house.

"What? I can't even come to our house anymore, you should have told me that when you were selling me off, you were selling my right to live as well," I retorted, rolling my eyes before walking away from him.

"You know very well that, that's not what I mean, I mean, is there anything you need, you could have just told me, and I'd bring it to you," He said, but I hissed instead with no response.

"How's your face, does it still hurt?" He asked and I stilled, and I turned to stare at him.

"Anyone else would think you are a good father with this charade of yours," I said and turned to leave when he held my hands.

"See, I'm sorry Sofia, I didn't...."

"You didn't what? Have an idea you were selling me off to a cannibal? He's a monster dad, or do you think I enjoy being choked to almost die? And that too when there's a mass of people staring, what'd you think would happen next time, when there's no one?" I snapped, my eyes brimming with the tears of what awaited me in that house.

"He'll change, I'll make sure..."

"Stop Dad! Stop!" I yelled, running my hands through my hair. "If you're going to continue this way, I'll have my maid here, tell you first when I die for you to come collect my body, If that's allowed," I said and turned to Rae, no longer willing to continue the conversation.

He held my hands back, his grip firm but trembling. "I didn't know, Sofia. I thought... I thought he would protect you."

"Protect me? From what, Dad? Myself?" My voice cracked. "You handed me over to a man whose ego boosts on power and control, and you think that counts as protection?"

He let go, stepping back as if my words had physically struck him. "I'll make it right. I'll talk to him—"

I laughed bitterly. "You think words will stop him? Dad, he doesn't care about what you or anyone says. And honestly, neither do I anymore."

"Let's go," I ordered. "Yes ma'am,"

I stepped into my room to the familiar air, my thick pink blankets, my octopus teddy bear, and the violet paint of the room.

"Mrs Holmes?" Rae called, snapping me out of my reverie.

"What do you want me to pick?" She asked.

"The blankets, the teddy bear and all the clothes in the closet, my shoes and bags," I said and walked over to my bed to lay on it.

"I'll get to it," Rae said, and I retreated back to myself, my eyes running through the room, back to the time I heard that I was going to be getting married to Alex, going to that club, and Zack...

"Mrs Holmes?" Rae called, pulling me back from my reverie.

"I'm done with the luggage, I'll call the house to move them to the car," she said and I nodded, taking another look at my room for anything else, when my eyes caught a frame of my mother's picture I'm the distance.

"Go get the helps, I'll take care of somethings here," I said and she turned to walk out of the room, while I walked over to a picture of my mother at the far corner of the room.

A small wry smile formed on my face and I held the picture in my hands.