Chapter 6
The next morning, Sophie was jolted awake by violent pounding on the door.
She snapped her eyes open, and the first thing she saw was Evan's sleeping face right in front of her, lashes lowered, sunlight across his skin like a soft halo. She stared for a beat.
Bang, bang, bang. "Sophie Stone! Open up! I know you're in there!" Henry's impatient shout came from outside the door.
Sophie's face turned cold. She wondered, 'How did he find this place?' Evan woke and looked at her in confusion.
She quickly got out of bed, pressed a finger to her lips, and whispered, "Stay in the room. Don't come out."
She threw on a jacket and opened the door, only for Henry to push his way in at once. He looked around the tiny run-down one-bedroom apartment with open contempt.
"I figured you had more backbone than this. Turns out without me, this is the kind of place you can only afford? Come back with me."
Sophie almost laughed. "Henry, did you forget? You're the one who told me to get out. This place may be shabby, but it's still cleaner than being with you."
Henry's face darkened. What he hated most was the way Sophie never gave in. "Don't be stupid. You're out of work and out of money. How long do you think you can last?"
Right then, the bedroom door opened and Evan walked out. He was still wearing Sophie's T-shirt, barefoot and messy-haired from sleep, looking at Henry in confusion. The air froze instantly.
Henry stared at him, and jealousy flared at once. That face was so handsome it made him feel small.
"Well, well, Sophie Stone. I've only been gone two days, and you've already found yourself a pretty boy? No wonder you were acting so tough."
Sophie shook with rage and was about to fire back, but Evan suddenly moved.
He stepped in front of her, shielding her completely, and looked at Henry with cold, emotionless eyes, the kind of gaze one reserved for something dead.
There was no anger in that look, no contempt, only a pure coldness that made Henry's scalp prickle. For the first time, he felt an overwhelming pressure from another man.
Seeing the panic and humiliation on his face, Sophie suddenly wasn't angry anymore.
She stepped out from behind Evan, looped her arm through his, and smiled in open provocation. "Yeah, I did. He's taller, younger, and better-looking than you."
"After dumping trash like you, I can always find someone better. Now take your self-importance and get out of my house. Get out!"
Henry's face went green then white, as if he'd been slapped again and again. Looking at the two of them standing together, he felt both jealous and humiliated.
In the end, all he could do was glare at Evan one last time, slam the door, and storm out.
Sophie let out a long breath, feeling all her strength drain away. She released Evan's arm and looked up.
"Thank you." He only tilted his head, then gently smoothed the crease between her brows and flashed her a bright, clean smile.
Picking him up suddenly felt like the best decision she'd ever made.