Chapter 2

My mind was flooded with thoughts like a barrage of comments, but I forced a smile uglier than crying. "Mr. Grant, what are you talking about? I don't understand."

Yeah, just keep playing dumb. As long as I acted clueless, he couldn't do anything to me.

Edward straightened up and gave me a frosty look. I wasn't sure if I was imagining things, but I could've sworn his brow twitched ever so slightly.

Without another word, he grabbed my wrist. His palm was scorching, and his grip was surprisingly strong, like an iron clamp, digging painfully into my skin.

"Come with me," he said, his voice icy, leaving no room for refusal. He yanked me along, and I stumbled behind him.

The reporters went crazy, swarming over with all their gear, ready to bombard us with questions.

"Edward! Is that kid yours?"

"What's your relationship with this woman?"

"Any comments on the rumors about your terrible acting in bed?"

When I heard that last question, I nearly tripped and wiped out right there on the spot. Seriously, which outlet were you from? That was bold!

Edward froze, and the atmosphere dropped to freezing in an instant. He turned his head, his gaze slicing through the crowd like a blade. "Get lost," he said.

The whole chaotic scene went dead silent.

Was this the aura of a top alpha? I was totally loving it. Wait, I was terrified.

He dragged me along, with bodyguards fighting their way through the crowd, and stuffed me right into a black SUV.

The door slammed shut, sealing off all the chaos outside. Now it was just Edward and me, alone in the cramped SUV.

The air felt frozen, so tense I could hardly breathe. I curled up in the corner, trying to make myself invisible. Even my breathing was barely audible.

What should I do? This was like an escape room nightmare in a black SUV. Edward wasn't seriously going to interrogate me here, right? My body couldn't handle this.

Should I start crying now? Maybe act vulnerable? But word was he hated it when women cried. Nah, better not make things worse.

Edward sat across from me, legs crossed, looking lazy and casual, but his eyes were locked onto me. That look in his eyes was like he was eyeing an interesting prey.

His stare made my scalp tingle, and cold sweat broke out on my back.

"Five years." He finally spoke, his voice emotionless, giving nothing away. "Sophia, you've been hiding long enough."

I swallowed hard, my throat dry and aching. "I... I wasn't hiding..." I stammered.

I thought, 'Yeah, right. Like I'd sit here and let you mess me up.'

"Oh?" Edward raised an eyebrow. "So, where have you been these past five years?"

"I... I moved back home and had a rest," I replied, dead serious, lying through my teeth.

I thought, 'Not like you'd ever know where my hometown is anyway.'

Edward's lips curled into the faintest of smiles, so quick it was almost like I imagined it.

"Oh, really?" he said. "Guess the air there really did you good." His eyes lingered on me, clearly implying something.

I instantly got what he was hinting at. My face flushed bright red, all the way to my ears. After five years of raising Lucas, my body had definitely changed for the better.

I cursed inwardly, 'Seriously, where do you think you're looking? Keep staring, and I'll poke your eyes out. Wait a second, he didn't even look that mad. Was this the calm before the storm? Gotta think of a way out of this.'

Suddenly, an idea popped into my head. I jerked my head up, my eyes quickly filling with tears that threatened to fall, making me look like a total damsel in distress.

"Mr. Grant, five years ago, I messed up. I must've lost my mind," I said. "I never deserved you.

"That's why I left without a word. Please, I'm begging you, let me go, and leave the kid out of this. He's got nothing to do with it."

With acting skills like these, I could easily snag an award. Seriously, what guy wouldn't soften up seeing me like this?

But Edward just stared at me, not saying a word. His expression was off. He wasn't angry or mocking. He just had this deadpan look, as if to say, 'Are you freaking kidding me right now?'

He raised a hand to rub his temple. And then he looked right at me, took his time, and said something that almost made my heart stop.

"Try cursing me in your head one more time, I dare you," he said.