The morning after the garden conversation, Sophie awoke with a restless mind. The warmth of the sun streaming through the curtains was no comfort—she felt trapped in a tangled web of lies, manipulation, and the growing tension surrounding Aiden and Tina. She couldn't shake the memory of the conversation they'd had last night. Tina was playing a game, one that was far more dangerous than Sophie had ever imagined, and Aiden's warning was still echoing in her mind.
She rose from the bed, stretching her arms to release the stiffness from her body. Aiden had insisted on her staying in his penthouse last night, even though they had slept in separate rooms. It was strange, but there was something comforting about being under the same roof as him, even though their marriage had never felt like what it should have.
Sophie went through the motions of her morning routine, but her mind was elsewhere. She couldn't stop thinking about the things Aiden had told her. Tina was scheming with a rival, feeding them secrets, and Sophie couldn't help but wonder what else Tina was capable of. What if she wasn't just trying to destroy Sophie's place in Aiden's life? What if she had plans far more sinister, ones that could threaten everything Aiden had built?
But Sophie wasn't the kind of woman to just sit back and let things happen. No, she would find a way to protect herself—and Aiden—if it came to that. She had been pushed to the edge for too long, and now, the power was in her hands.
By the time she walked into the kitchen, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. Aiden was already there, sitting at the breakfast table with a grim look on his face. His suit was already on, as if he had been planning his day for hours. He was always the picture of control, but Sophie could see the exhaustion creeping into his eyes. He had been working nonstop, trying to hold everything together, and yet, the cracks were starting to show.
Sophie took a seat across from him, her fingers tapping nervously on the table. "Aiden, we need to talk about last night."
He looked up at her, his gaze softening, but the tension in his shoulders remained. "I know. I've already arranged for you to meet with someone this afternoon. Someone who can help you understand what's really going on with Tina."
Sophie raised an eyebrow. "Who?"
"A former associate of mine. Someone I trust," he replied. "His name is Victor. He has his own network of people, and he's been following Tina's movements. He can give us the intel we need to take her down before she does any more damage."
Sophie felt a flicker of hope. Aiden was finally taking charge, but there was something unsettling about the way he spoke. It was as if he was more certain about Victor than he was about Tina's betrayal. What was the connection between Aiden and this man?
She leaned forward, narrowing her eyes. "And what makes you so sure we can trust him?"
Aiden's lips tightened into a thin line, and for a moment, Sophie thought he wouldn't answer. But then, his voice was steady, even though there was a shadow in his eyes. "Victor is loyal. And he's been a part of my business for a long time. He's helped me in the past when I needed him."
Sophie didn't press further. She had learned early in their marriage that Aiden wasn't one to reveal everything, especially when it came to people from his past. She had always been on the outside of his world, a mere accessory to his power and status. But now, that world was starting to close in on her, and she had no choice but to accept the help he offered.
"Okay," Sophie said, her voice firm. "I'll meet him."
After breakfast, Aiden gave her a brief but reassuring kiss on the forehead. "Stay safe. Don't trust anyone—not even Victor, until we know for sure. And don't let Tina get to you. I'll handle things on my end."
Sophie nodded, though she wasn't sure if his words had comforted her or made her feel more anxious. She had always trusted Aiden's instincts, but now, with the stakes higher than ever, she couldn't help but feel like everything was falling apart. The enemies weren't just outside—they were inside, waiting to strike.
The drive to the meeting was quiet. Sophie stared out of the window, watching the city pass by in a blur of steel and glass. It was a familiar scene, but today, it felt foreign. She wasn't sure if she was just paranoid or if something bigger was lurking beneath the surface.
When they arrived at the café, she was greeted by a tall, dark-haired man who stood in the corner, a faint smirk on his lips. Victor was older than Sophie had expected—probably in his early forties—but there was an intensity in his eyes that made him seem ageless. His tailored suit was sharp, and his posture was relaxed, but there was a certain coldness about him that made Sophie uneasy.
"Miss White," he greeted her smoothly, his voice low and inviting. "It's a pleasure."
Sophie offered a polite smile, but inside, she was already on guard. "Victor, I presume?"
He gave a small nod and gestured to the seat across from him. "Please. Let's sit."
As she took a seat, Sophie couldn't help but study him. He had the look of someone who was always in control, someone who had played this game for far longer than she had. His sharp jawline and the way he held himself spoke volumes about his power, but it was his eyes that caught her attention. They were calculating, studying her every move.
"I understand you're here to learn more about Tina," Victor said, leaning forward. "And I have the information you need."
Sophie hesitated for a moment before speaking. "What exactly do you know about her?"
Victor's lips curled into a smile, but there was no warmth in it. "Tina is a pawn, Miss White. A pawn in a much larger game. She's being manipulated by someone you wouldn't expect—someone very close to your husband."
Sophie's heart skipped a beat, and she leaned forward, her voice barely a whisper. "Who?"
Victor's eyes glinted with something dangerous. "That's a story for another time. But trust me, Miss White. Tina isn't the biggest threat you face. It's the people in your husband's inner circle. They've been pulling the strings from the start."
Sophie's mind raced as she processed his words. The last thing she had expected was to learn that the danger wasn't just from Tina—it was from people much closer to her and Aiden.
"Thank you," Sophie said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I need to think about this."
Victor nodded. "Take your time. But remember, Sophie, trust is a rare commodity in this world. Be careful who you put your faith in."
As she left the café, Sophie couldn't shake the feeling that she had just stepped into a deeper, more dangerous game than she could have ever imagined.
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