Sophia froze, her body trembling as the cold wind lashed against her. Just as she was about to let herself go, a faint flutter inside her stopped her.

She gasped, her hand instinctively moving to her stomach.

The baby.

Her baby.

Her knees buckled, and she collapsed onto the rooftop, sobbing uncontrollably. The life inside her—the tiny heartbeat that she was now responsible for—brought her back to reality. How could she even think of taking not just her life but this innocent one too?

"I'm so sorry," she whispered through her tears, clutching her stomach as if to shield the fragile life growing within her. "I'm so sorry."

For what felt like an eternity, Sophia sat there, the city lights blurring through her tears. The realization hit her like a tidal wave.

She had spent years living for Ryan, pouring every ounce of herself into a marriage that was built on lies. She had allowed herself to be a shadow, forgotten, unloved. But now, it wasn’t just about her anymore.

Wiping her tears, Sophia forced herself to stand. Her legs wobbled, but she steadied herself, breathing deeply as the cold air filled her lungs. She couldn’t give up—not now. If no one else cared for her, she would care for herself and her baby.

As she made her way back home, her heart still ached, but a small spark of resolve began to flicker within her. By the time she reached her house, the lights were on, and Ryan’s voice drifted from the living room, mingled with soft laughter.

Sophia hesitated at the door, her hand hovering over the handle. She could hear him talking on the phone.

"Yeah, it was great catching up with everyone. Oh, Hannah? I just dropped her home. She's much better and is hosting a party tomorrow. Sophia? I’ll bring her along—might as well make her see the outside world for once."

The words, though cutting, didn’t have the same power to break her this time. She pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Ryan glanced up, his eyes dilating slightly like he had seen a ghost at her disheveled appearance.

"Where have you been? And what’s with the mess? You couldn’t bother preparing me dinner?"

“How was work? I thought you already had dinner.” Sophia asked instead.

"You saw me busy at the hospital taking care of your sister. I didn't eat besides, you know how much I love your cooking.”

“You've never told me that so I wouldn't know,” Sofia responded.

Ryan walked over and Sofia walked backwards. When he saw her reaction he paused, concern etched on his face.

“Are you feeling sick?” He asked but it only felt like mockery to Sofia.

How could he be sweet and kind in private while he talked ill about her to her sister?

Pathetic!

Sophia’s hands clenched into fists as anger bubbled up inside her. But she remained quiet.

Seeing her lack of interest in what he was saying, Ryan went on.

"Also, Hannah fell sick make sure you check on her.” He followed her as she entered their bedroom. “Your parents are throwing her a welcome party tomorrow and they called saying we need to be there.”

Of course!

Hannah was Sophia’s talented step-sister whom her father brought in after the death of her mother. He remarried a few months later and has paid attention to only Hannah since then. It's been like she isn't even their real daughter.

After having felt neglected, she went to stay with her grandmother but she fell sick and now Sophia had to return to her father's house, and let's just say no one has been thrilled with her return.

Getting married to Ryan felt like an escape for her. Until she realized she had just been warming Hannah’s bed.

Sophia didn’t respond, her hand resting protectively over her stomach as she walked past him.

"Did you hear me, Sophia?" Ryan called out, his tone sharp.

She paused at the foot of the bathroom door and turned to look at him. For the first time in years, her gaze was steady.

"I’m tired, Ryan."

He frowned, clearly not expecting the calm indifference in her voice.

"You’re always tired. Tomorrow, make sure you’re ready for the party. Hannah invited you, and it’s important to her. It will be a great chance for you to show everyone you two get along.”

Sophia nodded once before walking into the shower. She didn’t argue, didn’t defend herself. Ryan knew she hated meeting her family because they always treated her like an outcast but he insisted anyway.

It was obvious he would do anything to please Hannah.

Including sacrificing Sophia’s peace.

Once she was done bathing, she entered the blankets but was shortly joined by Ryan.

A habit that used to melt her heart now felt like chains dragging her to sink.

“I missed you.” He reached down to kiss her but she turned her face away making his lips touch her cheeks.

“I am tired,” Sophia said.

Ryan hesitated for a moment but only sighed. “Alright, go to sleep,"

Sophia turned around, feeling a weight settle beside her as Ryan pulled her in his arms with her back touching his chest.

“You need to learn a lot Sophia, but don't worry Hannah is willing to teach you.” He said proudly.

Sophia closed her mouth tightly to not let the sobs echo in the entire room.

She knew the party would be hell for her.

“I don’t think I should be here.” Sofia hesitated as they reached the front door.

“What are you talking about? This is your sister's party, Sophia.” Ryan responded with his arm wrapped possessively around her waist as they entered the hotel for Hannah’s homecoming party.

The hotel was beautifully decorated with glittering lights and expensive artistic portraits on the wall.

Sophia grabbed her dress in a fist like it was her lifeline as Ryan walked forward with her. The lively chatter felt suffocating.

Sophia’s stomach twisted as she spotted familiar faces among Ryan’s friends, their mocking smirks and quiet laughter only amplifying her discomfort.

Ryan leaned down, his lips brushing against her forehead as he murmured,

“You’ll be polite tonight, Sophia. Don’t disappoint me.”

The warning in his tone was clear, but before she could respond, a familiar voice rang out.

“My beloved Sophia! Oh how much I missed you!”

Hannah’s voice was bright and airy, a direct contrast to the sharpness in her eyes as she approached.

She looked breathtaking in her off-shoulder green dress that clung to her like a second skin, her radiant beauty making Sophia feel plain in comparison.

She clasped Sophia's hands with feigned warmth, though her gaze slid past her lingering on Ryan with an intensity that made Sophia's skin crawl.

“Do you hate me, Sophia?” she asked, her voice trembling with fake emotion.

“You never called me once after you left. Not even a text. Have I done something so unforgivable?”

Sophia stood frozen, unsure of how to respond, but Hannah didn’t wait for an answer.

“I suppose I can’t blame you for being upset,” she continued, her voice dropping into an exaggerated whisper as her eyes shone with what Sophia knew were crocodile tears. “I did take all of Mom and Dad’s attention growing up. You must’ve felt so… unloved. But surely you understand, don’t you? Love isn’t something you can force.”

Her words stung, each one carefully designed to cut deep. And yet she wasn’t finished.

“Mom fell ill with cancer disease, you know,” she added, her gaze sharp and accusing. “You didn’t even visit her. Do you know how much that broke her heart? How can I fix our family when you make no effort to mend it, Sophia?”

Sophia's mouth opened to defend herself, to call Hannah out on her hypocrisy, to say something—anything—but nothing came out.

“Sophia still has a lot to learn about relationships,” Ryan interjected smoothly, his hand tightening on her waist. His voice was light, but the edge was unmistakable.

“When I have time, I’ll bring her back to apologize properly.”

His words felt like a slap. He knew what she had endured at the hands of her family—the neglect, the insults—and yet he spoke as though she was the one at fault. Sophia’s heart ached as she realized how little he truly cared.

“I need a drink.” Sophia excused herself from the suffocating crowd, needing air, needing space.

The hallway leading to the bathroom stretched before her and luckily, it was empty. For a moment, she felt like she could finally breathe.

But the breath of fresh air was short-lived.

“Well, if it isn’t the prodigal sister,” Hannah’s voice rang out behind her dripping with mockery.

Sophia groaned internally as she turned to see the last person she wanted to see approaching, a glass of red wine in hand and a cruel smirk on her lips.

Her heels clicked against the polished floor as she stopped in front of Sophia, her eyes scanning her dress with open disdain.

“Is that… vintage?” she sneered, tilting her head. “Or did you raid Grandma’s closet for something appropriately depressing?”

Sophia's fists clenched at the mention of her grandmother, the only person who had ever truly loved her. She was a kind woman who gave her love her father couldn’t. It broke her heart when she was young but forced her to reunite with her father a month before she became bedridden due to heart disease.

Hearing Hannah talk so ill about her made her heart boil but she remained calm.

“Still playing the role of the poor little outcast, I see,” Hannah continued, her voice dripping with malice. “How does it feel, Sophia? To be nothing more than a pathetic school teacher while our parents live in luxury? To grovel for scraps while I stand where you’ll never belong?”

“Shut up, you know nothing about me.” Sophia hissed, her voice trembling with barely restrained anger.

But Hannah only laughed a cold, sharp sound that echoed in the empty hallway.

“Why should I? You handed me all the ammunition I need.” She leaned in, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper.

“Ryan told me everything. Your pathetic early morning shifts, the crumbs you save for your sickly little grandmother. He doesn’t even respect you enough to keep your secrets, Sophia. You’re an open book for me to rip apart.”

Sophia’s breath caught, her words cutting deeper than she thought possible.

“You shouldn’t have come back,” she continued, her eyes narrowing. “You’re nothing but a reminder of a mistake. Unwanted then, and unwanted now.”

Sophia swallowed hard, refusing to let Hannah see her break.

“You already have everything, Hannah. Just leave me alone.”

“Everything?” She laughed again, this time louder, crueler. “Don’t kid yourself. Do you think you can have Ryan? No, Sophia. He’s mine. He always has been, and he always will be. You’re just the placeholder, the little puppet he keeps around to pass the time. Now, I've come to take my place as his wife.”

“You must be desperate then, throwing yourself at a married man. Why? No other man wants you?” Sophia shot back.

Hannah’s eye twitched in anger, but her lips stretched into a smile.

It was so sick, Sophia knew whatever she was about to say next would shatter her.

“Oh, you didn’t know. Did you?” she asked, her voice dripping with mock innocence.

“Every trip he’s taken, every business meeting? He’s been with me. In Paris. In your bed.”

Sophia felt her stomach churn, Hannah’s words twisting like a knife in her gut.

“That red dress he gave you?” she added with a smirk. “I wore it first. For him. Then he fucked me raw in it.” she laughed, “I didn't even wash it when he wrapped it. When did he finally give it to you? He told me how ridiculous you looked in it. How bland, how boring.”

Her smirk deepened as she leaned closer, her breath hot against her ear. “You’ll never be enough for him. You never were. And soon, Sophia, I’ll have everything you’ve been too weak to give him. A real family. A child. While you’re left with nothing.”

Tears burned her eyes, her vision blurring as Hannah’s words crushed what little resolve Sophia had left.

“You’re barren, aren’t you?” she whispered, her tone laced with mockery,

“No wonder he spends his nights with me. Maybe I should give him the child he's been wanting so desperately. ”

Sophia’s body trembled with rage, grief, and despair, every word slicing deeper until she couldn’t take it anymore.

“You can go to hell.” Sophia spat as she turned to leave. But before she could walk out, a scream reached her ears followed by a loud crash.