Chapter 12: The Betrayal Closest to Home
I stared at the name on the screen.
I couldn’t breathe.
Because betrayal from enemies was expected.
But betrayal from someone you loved?
That destroyed something deeper.
“No.””
I shook my head.
“That’s impossible.””
Marcus watched me carefully.
“You know this person.””
I looked again.
The name remained.
*Sophia Carter.*
My cousin.
My childhood best friend.
The woman who held my hand when my mother died.
The woman who cried with me when Daniel and I struggled.
The woman who told me I deserved better.
“She wouldn’t.””
Daniel looked at the screen.
“Who is Sophia?””
I ignored him.
Because suddenly memories started returning.
The questions.
The strange comments.
The way Sophia always asked about my marriage.
About Daniel’s family.
About my father’s business.
I had thought she cared.
Maybe she was collecting information.
Marcus spoke quietly.
“She gave Eleanor details about your family.””
I shook my head.
“No.””
“She told them about your father’s investments.””
“No.””
“She told them you were pregnant.””
I stepped back.
My stomach tightened.
“That’s not true.””
Marcus looked at me.
“The wedding accusation wasn’t random.””
Daniel looked confused.
“What do you mean?””
Marcus answered.
“They knew exactly how to hurt her.””
My eyes burned.
Because he was right.
They knew I would protect my baby.
They knew I would freeze when they attacked me publicly.
They knew I would hesitate.
Because Sophia had told them everything.
My phone rang.
Sophia’s name appeared.
Everyone stared.
I almost didn’t answer.
But I did.
“Hello?””
“Emma?””
Her voice sounded normal.
Too normal.
“Are you okay?””
I almost laughed.
“Am I okay?””
There was a pause.
“What happened?””
I looked at Marcus.
Then Daniel.
Then the evidence.
“You tell me.””
Silence.
“Sophia.””
Her breathing changed.
Just slightly.
But enough.
“Emma…”
“Why did Eleanor pay you?””
The silence became complete.
Then she whispered:
“Who told you?””
My heart broke.
Not because she confessed.
Because she didn’t deny it.
“You did it.””
“No.””
Her voice became desperate.
“Emma, listen to me.””
“Why?””
“Because I had no choice.””
I closed my eyes.
Everyone always had a reason.
Everyone always had an excuse.
“You sold me.””
“No!””
“Then what did you call it?””
She started crying.
“I was trying to protect you.””
I almost dropped the phone.
Those words again.
Protect.
The same excuse.
Different person.
“How?””
My voice shook.
“How did betraying me protect me?””
She didn’t answer.
Then a man’s voice came through the phone.
A voice I didn’t recognize.
“Hang up.””
Sophia went silent.
My blood ran cold.
“Who is with you?””
No answer.
“Sophia?””
The call ended.
Marcus immediately stood.
“She’s not alone.””
Daniel looked toward the entrance.
“How did they know we were here?””
Nobody answered.
Then headlights appeared outside.
Several vehicles.
My father’s security team?
No.
These were different.
Marcus looked through the broken window.
His face changed.
“They found us.””
My phone buzzed.
A message.
From Sophia.
Only three words.
*I’m so sorry.*
Then another message arrived.
A photo.
Sophia sitting inside a car.
Beside her…
May you like
Was Eleanor.
And Eleanor was holding a gun.
