The next morning, Sophie awoke to an unsettling silence. The penthouse was unusually quiet, the soft hum of the city outside the only noise filling the otherwise still air. Aiden had already left for work, and his absence left a lingering tension that made her feel even more isolated. She had spent the night thinking about everything he had said—about the people he had made deals with, about the danger that now hung over them both.
As she stared out the window, her reflection in the glass mirrored the uncertainty in her heart. She had always known there was more to Aiden than what he let on. His calm exterior had always been a mask for something deeper, something darker. But now, that mask was slipping, and Sophie found herself caught in a storm she didn't fully understand.
Her phone buzzed on the table beside her, pulling her from her thoughts. It was a message from Aiden, a simple text that sent a jolt through her chest.
"Be careful today. I've got eyes on you. Trust no one."
Her heart raced as she read the words again, trying to make sense of them. Had something happened overnight? Was there a threat she didn't know about? Sophie didn't wait long to act. Grabbing her bag, she quickly left the penthouse and called for the car to take her to her office. There was no time to waste—whatever was happening, she needed to be prepared.
The drive to her company felt like the longest ride of her life. Every car that passed by seemed like a potential threat, every shadow seemed to hide someone watching her. She hated this feeling—the paranoia, the constant weight of being under surveillance. This wasn't the life she had imagined when she'd agreed to marry Aiden. This wasn't the life she had ever wanted.
As the car pulled up to the office building, Sophie stepped out, trying to appear calm, trying to shake off the unease that gripped her. Her secretary, Lauren, was already waiting at the entrance, a concerned look on her face as she saw Sophie approach.
"Ms. Everly," Lauren said, her voice laced with worry. "There's someone here to see you. A man. He insisted it was urgent."
Sophie's brow furrowed. "Who is he?"
"I—I don't know. He's not on the visitor list, but he looks... dangerous."
Sophie felt a chill run down her spine. "Send him up. I'll meet him in my office."
As she made her way to her office, her mind raced with possibilities. Who could this man be? Was he one of Aiden's enemies? Or was it someone else entirely? The uncertainty gnawed at her, and she had to force herself to stay calm.
When she reached her office, the door was already slightly ajar, and she stepped inside to find a man standing by the window, his back to her. He was tall, easily over six feet, and his broad shoulders filled the space in a way that made the room feel even smaller. His dark suit was impeccably tailored, and his posture exuded power and confidence. He turned to face her as she entered, his eyes cold and calculating.
"Sophie Everly," he said, his voice smooth and controlled. "I've been waiting for you."
Sophie's pulse quickened as she sized him up. She didn't recognize him, but she knew instantly that he wasn't here for a friendly chat. This man was trouble.
"I don't know who you are, but if you've come here to threaten me or my company, you can leave right now," Sophie said, her voice steady but sharp. She wasn't about to show fear—not in front of someone like him.
The man smiled, but it wasn't a friendly smile. It was one of those smiles that made your skin crawl, the kind that made you feel like you were prey. "Oh, I'm not here to threaten you, Ms. Everly. At least, not yet." He took a step closer, his eyes never leaving hers. "I'm here to deliver a message from someone who's very interested in you."
Sophie's stomach turned. "Who?"
The man's smile widened, and he stepped even closer. "That's not important. What is important is that you understand the position you're in. You've married into a world of power, Ms. Everly. And power always demands a price. The question is, how much are you willing to pay?"
Sophie felt a surge of anger and fear. "I don't know who you think you are, but I'm not going to let anyone intimidate me. You can tell whoever sent you that I won't be a pawn in their game."
The man's eyes narrowed slightly, as if he were studying her. "You're stronger than I thought. But strength doesn't always save people. Sometimes, it just makes them a bigger target." He turned toward the door. "Consider this your first warning, Ms. Everly. Don't get too comfortable."
Before Sophie could respond, he was gone, leaving her standing there, her heart racing. She didn't know who he was or who he worked for, but the message was clear. She was in danger. And Aiden's cryptic warning about trusting no one now felt all too real.
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