The grand ballroom buzzed with the sounds of clinking glasses, laughter, and soft conversations, but Sophie couldn't shake the feeling that the air had thickened, charged with something dangerous. Aiden's presence beside her was almost suffocating, yet strangely comforting. She had always felt a mix of emotions when it came to him—attraction, confusion, frustration. But tonight, there was a new layer to it: uncertainty.
She watched as Aiden spoke to a group of businessmen near the bar, his expression unreadable. He was the epitome of power—sharp suit, chiseled jaw, the aura of someone who always knew exactly what to do. Sophie, on the other hand, felt small in comparison. Despite being married to him, despite the facade they both kept up, she still didn't fully understand him. And it troubled her.
Sophie turned her attention to the other guests. Tina was still hovering around the room, her eyes flicking between Sophie and Aiden, as though she were waiting for something to unfold. Sophie knew that Tina was calculating, always trying to find a way to destabilize Sophie's place in this world. It was a dangerous game, but Sophie wasn't going to let her win.
A sharp laugh broke her train of thought. It was loud, obnoxious, and unmistakably Tina's. Sophie's fingers tightened around the champagne flute in her hand as she watched Tina and a group of socialites gather near the stage. They were talking in low voices, occasionally glancing at Sophie. It was as though they were plotting her downfall, and Sophie knew it. She wasn't the naive girl she once was. She could see through Tina's charade now.
But it wasn't just Tina that Sophie had to worry about. It was Aiden. The man who had sworn to protect her, the man who had promised things would get better, yet seemed more distant with each passing day.
"Sophie," Aiden's voice pulled her out of her spiraling thoughts. He was standing beside her, his expression no longer as composed as it had been earlier. There was something different in his eyes—something darker, something she hadn't seen before.
"I need to speak with you," he said, his voice low and urgent.
Sophie nodded, trying to ignore the flutter of nerves in her stomach. "About what?"
He glanced around the room quickly, then motioned toward the side door leading to the garden. "Let's go outside. It's important."
Sophie's heart raced as she followed him. The soft click of her heels against the marble floor was the only sound in the otherwise silent corridor. As they stepped outside into the cool night air, the weight of the situation began to settle in. Aiden was never one to act impulsively. If he wanted to speak to her away from prying eyes, it was because something serious was happening.
They stopped in a quiet corner of the garden, the scent of blooming roses and jasmine filling the air. Aiden turned to face her, his jaw clenched, and for the first time, Sophie saw a crack in his cool exterior. He was nervous, and it was almost impossible to ignore.
"I'm sorry for dragging you out here," Aiden began, his voice strained. "But there's something you need to know. Something about Tina."
Sophie's pulse quickened. She had suspected as much. Tina's moves were too calculated, too precise. There was always an ulterior motive. "What's going on?" she asked, her voice steady despite the anxiety bubbling inside her.
Aiden glanced down, running a hand through his hair. "Tina's been scheming. She's been trying to undermine your position here, not just with me, but with the whole family."
Sophie's brows furrowed, her confusion mounting. "What do you mean? She's always been manipulative, but this sounds like more than that."
Aiden exhaled sharply, his eyes darkening. "She's been working with someone on the outside. A business rival of mine. I don't know who yet, but I've been getting threats, Sophie. She's been feeding them information about our family, about our business dealings. She's playing a dangerous game, and I'm afraid it's going to backfire. I don't know how much longer we can keep this under control."
The world around Sophie seemed to tilt. Her stomach churned with a sickening realization. "So, it's not just her trying to make my life miserable. She's actively working against you… against us."
Aiden nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "Yes. And I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I've been trying to handle it quietly. But now, it's getting too risky. I need you to stay alert. Don't trust anyone—not even Tina."
Sophie's mind raced as the implications of Aiden's words sank in. Tina wasn't just a petty rival—she was a threat, and she had been playing a long game to undermine Aiden's control over the family empire. Sophie had never imagined her stepsister could be capable of something so sinister, but the evidence was right in front of her.
"I don't trust her, Aiden," Sophie said, her voice firm. "I never have."
Aiden's eyes softened, but only for a moment. "I know. And I'm sorry for involving you in this mess. But I need you to keep your distance from her. Don't engage, don't react. She's looking for a way to manipulate you. If she sees any sign of weakness, she'll use it to her advantage."
Sophie nodded, the weight of his words settling over her like a heavy cloak. Tina had always been an enemy, but now she was a very real threat, and Sophie wasn't sure if she was prepared for the battle that lay ahead.
As the silence stretched between them, Sophie could feel the tension in the air thickening. Aiden was right—this wasn't just about Tina's petty jealousy. This was about something much larger, something that could shatter everything they had worked for.
"What now?" Sophie asked, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside.
Aiden took a step closer to her, his gaze intense. "Now we wait. We gather information. We keep our eyes open. But Sophie…" His voice dropped to a whisper, his face close to hers. "You're not alone in this. I won't let her destroy us. I'll protect you, no matter what."
Sophie's breath caught in her throat. In that moment, she could feel the sincerity in his words, a rare moment of vulnerability from a man who usually kept everything locked away. She wanted to believe him, but the weight of Tina's betrayal hung heavy in the air.
But for now, she had to trust him. There was no other choice.
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