Chapter 7

When I got home, I started packing my bags.

It's finally the day I'm leaving, and there's no reason for me to stick around anymore.

Just as I was on the phone with Alexander, Edward kicked the door open.

"Yeah, tomorrow works. Just have someone pick me up then, thanks."

Edward burst in and barked, "Who's coming for you? Who are you talking to on the phone?"

I hadn't expected Edward to get back from the hospital this fast.

"That's none of your business. I don't have to report my private life to you, Mr. Grant," I shot back, cold as ice.

"So you're just going to leave? Emily's still lying in the hospital, and here you are, packing up to run away? What, after almost killing her, you think you can just bail?"

Edward flipped over the suitcase I'd just packed, sending my clothes spilling all over the floor.

"Whatever you say. If you want to blame me, go ahead. It's not like you'd ever believe me anyway," I said, my voice flat.

I bent down to pick up my clothes, but he stomped on my fingers, pinning them to the floor.

"Go to the hospital and apologize to Emily! If you mess up the wedding in two days, I swear I'll make you pay!"

'The wedding is in two days?' I thought, stunned.

'Seriously? He set their wedding on my birthday?'

'The day he promised he'd marry me.'

He stomped down on my knuckles so hard my whole hand went numb from the pain.

I yanked my hand back, my fingertips red and throbbing. Expressionless, I responded, "Edward, if you really want the truth, just check the security cameras."

"Check the cameras? So you're saying Emily's lying?" Edward gave a harsh, mocking laugh and grabbed me by the collar. "Let me tell you something, Emily would never lie to me. She's not the one always playing games!"

Over the years, I really did whatever it took for Edward, even if it meant going to extremes.

I still remember when the company was just starting out. To land a deal, I camped outside Alexander's business dinner, waiting from dusk all the way till midnight.

As soon as Alexander left, I hunted down his business partner, Joe Williams, and handed him the proposal I'd stayed up all night to finish. "Mr. Williams, our plan will make you way more money than just putting up another office building. Please, take a look."

Williams put me through hell, making me drink so much I ended up vomiting blood.

By the time I was completely wasted, Williams tried to get handsy, and I had to pull every trick in the book just to escape.

By the third year, the company suddenly ran out of cash. Workers were showing up at our door every single day, blocking the entrance and demanding their wages.

I was the one who stood my ground with the contract and managed to get all the workers to leave.

"According to the contract, payday's still ten days away. If you keep making a scene, I'll call the police!"

Edward always said, "Sophia, you're incredible. Even those sly old foxes had to bow down to you."

He only ever saw how capable I was, never noticing my eyes were always red from crying.

Deep down, I was just a girl, scared and vulnerable. But for Edward, I had to put on a brave face.

And now, he was accusing me of playing games.

"Sophia, how long are you going to keep this up? Do I really have to get ruthless to make you obey? You know I don't want to go that far."

I stared at him, my tone icy. "So, Mr. Grant, what exactly are you planning to do to me?"

Edward threw a pile of files right at my face. "I've kept 'evidence' from every document you've handled all these years. If you don't want to rot in jail for bribery, you'd better get your ass to the hospital and apologize to Emily, now."

I looked down at the files in my hands and just laughed bitterly.

"Edward, you really are cold-blooded."

"Cold-blooded? You hurt a pregnant woman, hurt my kid, did you ever stop to think about how I feel? I've been way too good to you all these years, so no wonder you turned out so heartless. So don't blame me."

"As long as you get on your knees and say sorry to Emily, I'll let you go. Just work hard for the company from now on, and I won't give you a hard time. Honestly, without me, you wouldn't last a day."

"Fine."

I tossed the files to the floor, my face blank as I stared at him. "Just like you wanted. I'll go apologize to Emily."

'This is the last time, Edward. Tomorrow, I'm gone.'

'Let's see who really can't live without the other.'