Sophia
Every time I faced catastrophe in the past, I found a way to make things right; I found a way to hold all the strings that my life consisted of tightly in my hands and not let go, no matter how much those strings were cutting into my flesh.
This time, though, things were falling apart in front of my eyes, and all I could do was watch.
I was sure my sister was about to destroy her life and that Philip King, the father of her child, could bring her nothing but trouble and tears. Her happiness was the most important thing to me, but I believed she could never have the life she deserved with the man she chose.
Ashamed of my thoughts, I kept quiet and never voiced them out. I tried so hard to mind my business and not meddle in her decisions, letting her be an adult but controlling my never-dying wish to protect her, even if that was from her own actions, was a struggle on a whole new level.
It’s been a few days since the King brothers raided our apartment, and from that moment, things in our lives had changed immensely.
After Ellie and Philip had their conversation, he apparently explained himself enough for Ellie to forgive him for doing wrong by her and causing her to attempt on her life… and my sister changed a lot, too. She was quiet and lost in thought one moment and cheerful enough to drive me insane the next.
Whenever Ellie would mention him or their plans, I would find an excuse to change the topic, or I would fake remembering to do something important. So it came to the point where I had no idea what the two of them planned. Not because I wasn’t interested in what the future held for Ellie, but because I was scared. I was petrified of what tomorrow would bring for all of us. A life that I knew and worked hard to build was about to change so drastically that I didn’t know where to go from there.
Ellie resumed her classes, and I spent my time looking for employment. And let me tell you, it wasn’t a simple task.
By the end of the week, I was sure that some conspiracy had started against me, as I failed to get even the most straightforward job. I was in no position to choose a line of work, not with only a high school diploma in my biography. Three years of managing an elite restaurant were of no significance as I had no recommendations. There was no way Mr. Saunders would give me one, nor would I ask for it. I’d rather starve than see that despicable man again.
Suddenly, I was not fit to be a waitress, a cashier, a maid, or a laundry girl. Every door I knocked slammed back into my face.
At the beginning of my search, I didn’t suspect foul play, but when at place after place, I would get declined despite the ‘Help wanted’ sign or add in newspapers, I started suspecting something fishy was going on. I just couldn’t figure out who would do such a thing. Who would be powerful enough to reach every business owner in the city? What’s more, who would have such an interest? Mr. Saunders would have his reasons, and he was a sort of influential, but not to that extent. No one else came to mind, and I was no one significant, no one important, just another girl trying to survive in the big city.
If things continued this way, I would have to move and become a small-town girl if needed, though that would complicate things with Ellie. However, I had to come up with something fast. The money I saved wouldn’t last long.
“Hey, sis. Is everything all right?” Ellie’s question startled me.
I was focused on searching the web for a job and sending my biography to every possible address.
“Yeah, of course.” I brushed her off, like every time before.
“Don’t play me for a fool, sis.” Ellie sat across the table from me and shot me the most disapproving gaze. “I can see that something’s bothering you, and I want to help, at least by listening.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I turned off the laptop. “Seriously, sweetheart, everything is cool,” I assured her again. “How are you feeling? How is my nephew in there?” I knew distraction would be the best way to change the subject, and indeed, Ellie smiled gently at the mere mention of her baby.
“We’re both fine. But it’s you I worry about. Tell me, what’s going on?” Oh, darn it, Ellie had no intention of giving up. “Is it because of Philip? You don’t like him…” she cast her gaze down on the table. “I noticed, you know, how you always change the subject when I mention him and how you don’t even like to hear his name…”
Despite the animosity I felt for Philip, I never said a word out loud against him, and for a moment, I considered pretending otherwise before I realized I could use it as an excuse for my gloominess and not reveal the disturbing truth behind it.
“Well, it’s the truth, honey. I don’t like him, and I think you shouldn’t have let him off the hook so easily. He hurt you, and I’m afraid he will hurt you again, and that next time I won’t be there to save you.” I wasn’t lying; I honestly believed every word I said.
“I understand, Sophia, I really do. But I love him, and he loves me, and we are expecting a child together. We deserve a chance.” I’ve never seen my sister so adamant about anything in her life. By the way, Philip wants to talk to you. He feels like he should explain himself to you, and he said he wants to ask you something.” She declared, and the noticeable significance lacing her voice had me on high alert.
What did he have to talk to me? What could he say? In my mind, there was nothing he could say or do to redeem himself for the pit he pushed Ellie in. She would’ve been dead if I hadn’t been assaulted that day, for God’s sake!
But Ellie was right. She was the one that deserved a chance, and so did the baby, regardless of what I thought of the father.
I sighed deeply. “Ok. I’ll listen.” That definitely did not mean I would change my mind quickly.
“Good. Because he’ll be here soon.” Suddenly, Ellie was all giddy and cheerful. “Promise me you won’t do anything stupid. But this time, seriously!”
Perfectly timed, a doorbell rang, and Ellie jumped up to get it while I closed my eyes, taking a few deep breaths, hoping it would help me collect my thoughts. I didn’t want to ruin this for her; I honestly didn’t want to be the one to blame for anything in this story.
I heard them whispering and giggling in the hallway like two kids hiding from their parents before entering the living room.
I gave Philip one good look over, the one I failed to do the last time I saw him. And I had no more doubts about why Ellie liked him. He was tall and athletic, his hair was dark, his eyes were warm grey, and he was surrounded by some unexplainable aura that made me like him against my will. Physically, he looked so much like his brother, the evil one, as I called him in my head, but the energy he gave off was completely the opposite.
“Hello,” Philip greeted me and offered me his hand for a shake, and I accepted it.
“Welcome.”
“Sis, I’ll go get ready since Philip is taking me out to dinner. I hope you two can play nice while I dress up.” Ellie stated it as a demanding question before entering her room and closing the door behind her.
I couldn’t fight the feeling that they had set me up. Hm.
“Please take a seat,” I said, and after Philip sat in the only armchair, I found a spot on the sofa for myself.
“So, what did you want to talk about?” I asked awkwardly, both interested and not, what was so important for them to bother to this extent.
Sophia I had to give Philip a chance for Ellie’s sake. My rationality persuaded me to be patient and listen to whatever he had to say while my heart screamed at me, flooding my mind with images of an orange pill dispenser and my sister in tears. The silence surrounded us for just a few moments before Philip spoke. “I know you don’t like me, and I understand. I deserve it. To be honest, I will never forgive myself for what I did, no matter what you think of me after I tell you my reasons for acting the way I did. But what I want to say is that I love Ellie more than my life, and I would never intentionally hurt her.” Sincerity was beaming from Philip’s eyes, entrapping me in their depths. Intrigued by the hint of mystery in his voice my senses picked up like a hound hunting a rabbit in the woods, I unconsciously leaned towards him, not wanting to miss a single word, as I pushed aside all the other things that bothered me. Philip had my full attention. “That was exactly why I wante
Sophia “What is it with you strangling me every time you see me? Is that a fetish or something?” I squeaked; every word I uttered felt like sandpaper on my constricted throat, causing tears to blur my vision, but I didn’t back off. Not this time. I watched him straight in the eyes, and I didn’t waver. No matter the rage and hate that blazed in his grey, stormy eyes, I held his gaze with all the courage I could muster, and it angered him even more. He shoved me inside and advanced after me, and as soon as he crossed the threshold, Kieran slammed the door behind us and forced me further in until we reached the living room, which was just a few steps, really, but now it seemed to be a hundred-mile-long journey. “What do you want?” I spat, whispering. Kieran’s nostrils flared, his jaw clenched, and I was sure he was holding himself back from snapping my neck. I wasn’t afraid of dying, though. At least it would serve a good purpose. Kieran would go to prison, and Ellie and her baby wo
Sophia Ellie and Philip stared at Kieran and me for a few moments since we were still standing too close to each other. Her eyes flickered towards my neck, but she couldn’t see anything thanks to the dim light and my soft, blond locks that were let down freely. Upsetting my pregnant sister with the truth about her future brother-in-law was the last thing I’d want if she didn’t already have her own suspicions. And Kieran never really tried to hide his bigotry towards us. “Why are you so giddy?” I asked, catching Ellie’s eyes, pretending I did not know what was happening. A diversion was always the best strategy, and it worked like magic. As soon as that question was out, Ellie’s face lit up with a smile that showed how happy she was. “We have something to tell you,” Ellie mused. I didn’t miss her small hand searching for Philip’s and his finding hers. “Yes, we have an announcement to make, and as you two are the most important people in our lives, you deserve to be the first to kno
Kieran She was driving me crazy. Sophia Howard. She wracked chaos in my soul; she dominated my every thought, and as if it wasn’t enough for her to torture me during the day, she was there every night, too, creeping around in my dreams. She was all I could think about, she and the ways I could make her submit to me and do as I wanted because nobody ever dared to defy me the way she did! And she had to be punished for that. She was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, I was sure of it! All I had to do was prove it, and I would have her trapped. She would have to abide by me. Although I had no doubt Philip was the father of that baby, I still insisted on Sophia breaking them up. It was only a test for Sophia because I could never wish harm to my nephew or niece. My brother’s kids were my kids. She passed the test successfully, which made me more conflicted with myself as I tried to reconcile two impulses: punishing her for not doing as I ordered and wanting to own her because she didn’t do a
Sophia Ever since I woke up, I had one thing on my mind - what could Kieran possibly want from me? Whatever it was, if it meant he would let Ellie live peacefully with the man she loved, I was ready to listen and set aside everything that transpired between him and me. My feelings about Kieran were conflicted. I hated him from the deepest pit of my soul. I hated who he was and what he represented, and I hated him for being a threat to my sister’s future. I hated how he acted and what he considered me to be. I hated his violence and arrogance. However, I could hardly wait to see him today. While I was getting ready, I chose to wear a turtleneck, the only one I had in my closet. I detested the restricting feeling it gave me, but I had to hide bruises that formed on my neck, and the weather could still justify wearing such a piece of clothing. Ellie went to her class, after which she would have lunch with her fiancé, and I stayed home. Alone. ‘I’ll have to get used to this,’ I thoug
Sophia I sat in Kieran’s office chair as if I were glued to it, not daring to blink. He was serious. He was bloody serious! My mind was in reverse, and no matter how hard I tried, I failed to understand what was happening. Marry him? He wanted me to marry him? “You must be joking!” Would denial make this any less real? Probably not. Still, I hoped Kieran’s mask would fall and that he would start laughing at me for believing him, but no such luck. “I’m not.” He said sternly, leaving no room for doubt. “But… but… you…” I jumped from the seat, completely astounded and unable to find words. Kieran rolled his eyes as if he was bored, or better yet, annoyed with me. “So, what do you say?” Fuck! Was he for real? He expected an answer? My hands started to shake from the adrenaline rush that surged through me. I was sure my face perfectly reflected the whirlpool of confusion storming up in me, while Kieran’s expression didn’t change. Only his jaw tightened a little; I couldn’t help bu
Sophia Days passed, and things were not getting any easier for me. Physically, there was nothing wrong, and I couldn’t complain. In fact, I was more rested and energized than I had been in so long. Maybe even since we escaped that night from our burning home years ago. But mentally, I was a wreck. The fear that would settle into my every pore each time I thought about Kieran’s evil master plan to destroy the relationship between my sister and me got me good. Was I wrong to doubt Ellie like this? Absolutely yes. But I couldn’t do a thing to stop it. Kieran King was adamant about destroying the trust we had in each other. He would not think twice about using his own brother to accomplish his goals, and in this case, his goal was I. Why? I had no idea, and I failed to understand his motives, no matter how much I thought about it. I hadn’t seen him since we had talked in his office, and I thanked God for that. I had no wish to meet him because I didn’t want another surprise like the o
Sophia It was early Sunday morning, the day of my little sister’s wedding. We had our hair and make-up done, with mine being a simple bun and natural make-up, while Ellie looked like a real-life princess in the charming A-line dress she chose to wear. We were in the small side-room of the church where I helped her get dressed after the stylist who did the final touch-ups left. “You look stunning, sweetheart,” I gushed, and it earned me a beautiful, ecstatic smile from Ellie. “I’m so happy, sis. No words can explain it.” She was beaming! Her happiness was rolling off of her in waves, and I couldn’t fight its influence even if I wanted to. No matter the fact that I was truly content with the outcome of my sister’s ‘affair’ since it could have ended drastically different, I couldn’t help but wonder how we came to the point where she was pregnant and getting married at nineteen, and I was about to leave everything I knew behind and start a new life from scratch. Was it how I wanted ou