C20 Please take care

Sofia's POV

"You stink, Rae. Get a bath and sleep; you look like you're about to collapse," I said, halting her mid-step as she stood over the pillows on my bed.

"Do I really stink that bad?" she asked, hesitating as her hands fluttered nervously over the sheets.

I smiled awkwardly, trying to keep the tone light. "Your hair looks like it’s holding all the dirt in this hospital. You’ve been running around without a break for days. Please, go take care of yourself, Rae."

Her lips parted in protest, but she glanced quickly at Zack, who was seated near the corner of the room, scrolling through his phone. The sight of him seemed to sap her will to argue. She fidgeted with the hem of her uniform, finally nodding meekly.

"Of course, Mrs. Holmes," she said, her voice low. Then, almost as an afterthought, she added, "But if you need anything, please don’t hesitate to call me. I’ll be just a phone call away."

Zack’s head tilted slightly, his dark eyes flicking up to her. The movement was subtle, but it sent Rae stepping back quickly, her hands clasped tightly in front of her.

"You’ve done enough for now, Rae," Zack said, his tone calm but carrying the authority of someone who was not to be questioned. "Sofia’s fine. Go get some rest. That’s an order."

"Yes, sir," Rae whispered, bowing her head slightly before retreating to the door. She hesitated for a split second, casting a worried glance my way, but Zack’s raised brow made her rush out without another word.

The room fell silent as the door clicked shut. I exhaled slowly, the tension ebbing away now that it was just Zack and me.

"You didn’t have to scare her off," I said softly, though my lips curved in the faintest of smiles.

He shrugged, leaning back in his chair. "She’s been hovering for hours. Rae’s a good worker, but even she has her limits. Besides, you need peace and quiet right now."

I didn’t argue, though a part of me still felt uneasy. Rae was more than just a maid; she’d been by my side through thick and thin, her loyalty unwavering even when I hadn’t deserved it.

"I appreciate everything she does," I murmured, more to myself than to Zack.

"And she knows that," he replied, his gaze steady on me. "But you can’t keep relying on her—or anyone—without giving yourself room to breathe."

I looked down at my hands, twisting the hospital blanket between my fingers. "It’s hard, Zack," I admitted. "Letting people in. Trusting them. Every time I try, it feels like they take a piece of me and use it against me."

Zack stood and moved to sit on the edge of the bed, his presence filling the space with an intensity that made it hard to breathe.

I met his gaze, searching his face for any sign of pity or insincerity. All I saw was quiet determination and something else—something I couldn’t quite name.

"I need to tell you something," He said, holding my hands in his.

"I'll be taking a business trip and I'll be away for —i don't know yet," He said, looking into my eyes.

"Oh—Okay," I stammered, my chest tightening at the thought of his absence.

"Also..." He added, heightening my attention to him.

"Alex and her... will be the only one left in the house," He added again. My breath hitched at the mention of them. "I—I can't," I argued, trying to get off the bed.

"Stay still Sofia!" He growled,his voice laced with anger, panic, fear and his eyes carried a different pain. He looked away from me, clenching his jaws as he ran his hands down his hair exasperatedly.

"The thought of leaving you alone with him kills me—that's why I needed to tell you first," Zack said, leaning closer.

"I just need you to be safe, I'm going to make all the necessary arrangements to make sure you're fine while I'm gone, because Dad is going to be gone too," He added.

"Mr Holmes?" I asked and he nodded.

"I just need you to be fine Sofia, avoid them as much as you can, keep your distance and I promise you don't wanna get hurt by Alex, he's dangerous..." Zack added again, gripping my hands in his.

I swallowed hard, my throat tightening as his grip on my hands intensified. Dangerous. The word echoed in my mind, sending a chill down my spine.

"What do you mean?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "Why are you warning me now?"

Zack's jaw tightened, and for a moment, I thought he wouldn’t answer. But then, he exhaled sharply, his eyes flickering with something dark—something I couldn’t quite place.

"Because I won’t be here to stop him if he tries anything," he admitted, his voice low, controlled. "And because I know him, Sofia. He doesn’t like being ignored. He doesn’t like feeling powerless. And right now, with you in that house, he’ll see an opportunity."

A shudder ran through me. "An opportunity for what?"

Zack didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he released my hands, running a hand down his face as if the thought alone exhausted him.

"For whatever sick game he’s playing," he finally said, his voice barely restrained. "Alex doesn’t hurt people in ways you expect. He breaks them from the inside out. He enjoys watching people fall apart, he's sick Sofia, as much as I hate to say this, he's more than the facade he's been putting on these days," Zack said, gulping in.

My stomach churned. I knew Alex was manipulative, but Zack was speaking as if he had seen something worse—something I hadn’t.