2026-04-30 19:22:20
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CHAPTER 104
The hurt in Emma's voice finally penetrated Sophia's panic. She stopped, staring at her daughter's wounded expression."I didn't ask because someone told me something," Emma said, her voice trembling. "I asked because... because of how you just reacted."Sophia's mouth opened, then closed. "What?""I just asked a question," Emma continued, tears now streaming down her cheeks. "A normal question. And you... you got all weird and scared and started asking if people were telling me things." Her small chin trembled. "That means he's not dead, doesn't it? My father isn't dead. You lied to me."Oh God, Sophia thought, her stomach dropping. What have I done?"Emma, sweetheart—""You lied to me!" Emma's voice broke, somewhere between accusation and heartbreak. "All my life, you told me my father was dead! That he died before I was born! You made me believe I never had a daddy!"The words hit Sophia like physical blows. She reached for Emma, but the little girl pulled away, pressing herself ba
CHAPTER 103
Sophia moved quietly to Emma's bedside, her earlier exhaustion momentarily forgotten as she focused on her daughter. She leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on Emma's forehead, the familiar warmth of her child's skin grounding her after the nightmare she'd just escaped."How are you feeling, sweetheart?" Sophia asked softly, brushing a strand of dark hair from Emma's face. "Are you in any pain?"Emma shook her head, a small smile brightening her pale features. "No, Mama. I'm okay now. All those pains are gone. The doctors said I'm healing really well.""That's wonderful, baby," Sophia said, relief flooding through her. She settled into the chair beside the bed, taking Emma's small hand in hers. "I'm so proud of how brave you've been through all of this.""The nurses say I'm their best patient," Emma said with a hint of pride. "And Dr. Chen said my numbers are improving every day. What does that mean, Mama?""It means you're getting better," Sophia explained, squeezing her daughter's
CHAPTER 102
Sophia nodded, grateful for the temporary reprieve. She slipped past her father into Emma's room, leaving Richard standing in the hallway, his expression troubled.Inside the room, Emma lay propped up against pillows, her small face lighting up the moment Sophia entered."Mama!" Emma's voice was hoarse but happy. "You came!""Of course I came, baby," Sophia said, rushing to her daughter's bedside. She gathered Emma into her arms carefully, mindful of the IV lines and monitors. "I promised, didn't I?""You're late," Emma said, but there was no accusation in her voice, just relief. "Grandma said you had to work. Did the bad lady at your job make you stay late again?"The bad lady, Sophia thought, her jaw tightening. If only you knew, sweetheart."Something like that," Sophia said, smoothing Emma's hair. "But I'm here now. How are you feeling?""Better," Emma said, snuggling into her mother's embrace. "The doctor said I'm healing really fast. He called me a 'remarkable patient.'""That's
CHAPTER 101
Meanwhile, across the city, Marcus Bennett stood in his office, staring at his phone with an expression of pure dread. The report from Steven sat like a lead weight in his mind.Alex is going to kill me, Marcus thought, running a hand through his hair. Sophia was almost assaulted because the security detail I personally assigned failed to do their job. This is my fault. My responsibility.He pulled up the personnel files for the team assigned to watch Sophia Mitchell tonight. Six highly trained operatives, all with exemplary records. And somehow, all of them had failed to notice their principal walking into a dangerous situation.How? Marcus wondered furiously. How did six trained professionals miss this?He'd find out. And when he did, heads would roll. But first, he had to report to Alexander.Marcus checked his watch. Nearly midnight. Alexander was probably still at the hospital, in the ward next to Emma's room, maintaining his cover as a recovering patient.I could wait until morn
CHAPTER 100
Captain Steven stepped out of the destroyed VIP room, pulling his phone from his blood-stained jacket with his uninjured hand. The cuts on his arm and shoulder throbbed dully, but he'd sustained far worse injuries in combat zones. This was nothing.He scrolled through his contacts and pressed the number marked simply as "M.B." The call connected on the second ring."Steven," Marcus Bennett's voice came through, professional and alert despite the late hour. "Report.""Sir, there was an incident involving the target," Steven said, keeping his voice low as he walked through the now-empty hallway. "She was lured into a private room at her workplace—a convenience store with VIP sections. Multiple hostiles attempted assault. I intervened."There was a brief silence on the other end. When Marcus spoke again, his voice was tight with barely controlled fury. "Attempted assault? Is she injured?""Physically unharmed," Steven confirmed. "Shaken, understandably, but intact. I arrived before the s
CHAPTER 99
Steven hesitated, clearly weighing how much truth to reveal. "I'd heard about these... events. The VIP rooms being used for activities that aren't exactly legal. I came to observe, to see if the rumors were true.""Observe?" Sophia's eyebrows rose. "Are you a police officer?""No," Steven said quickly. Too quickly. "I'm... let's just say I have an interest in maintaining order in this city."That's the most vague non-answer I've ever heard, Sophia thought, but she let it pass."So you were already here when those men..." She couldn't finish the sentence."I was watching from outside the room initially," Steven admitted. "I heard raised voices, sounds of a struggle. When I looked through the window and saw your face..." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "I recognized you. Knew you were someone who needed to be protected. So I intervened.""You recognized me?" Sophia repeated. "But we've never met before. How could you—""I've seen your photograph," Steven said, which was technic
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