Chapter 60

Chapter 60 Sophia had a bad feeling Jason would use her family against her, but she never thought he’d be this brutal. Three years ago, her dad’s company went bankrupt, leaving him a wreck. His heart barely held on as it was, and jail without his meds? Jason basically sentenced him to die. Or maybe worse, that was Jason’s plan for Sophia all along She stumbled back, a hand grabbing her arm just in time. “Sophia, you okay?” It was Amanda, rushing in after seeing the online news about Corey’s arrest. Originally, Amanda planned to shut down the house’s internet to keep the news quiet, but one look at Sophia’s pale face told her the damage was done. “Jason’s a real piece of work. Mr. Taylor’s father–in–law for crying out loud, how can he send him to jail?”

Each word hit Sophia like a punch to the gut. Her hand instinctively went to her chest, tears welling up. The flush from earlier had drained away, leaving her ghostly pale. Sure, her dad wasn’t perfect, favoring Lucas sometimes, but at least he wasn’t like her mom. He should be enjoying retirement, spoiling grandkids, not rotting in jail because of her. No matter what, this mess was rooted in her. As his daughter, could she just stand by and watch him die behind bars? Hell no.

“Jason’s always hated me,” she rasped, pushing Amanda’s hand away slowly. “For breaking up his thing with Ada, for manipulating his grandma, for climbing the social ladder. Now he thinks I betrayed him too. Revenge was coming, and there’s no escaping it.” With each shaky step out the door, her heart ached a little more. She knew what stepping outside meant. No more talk of divorce. Now, it was endure humiliation, be trampled under his foot, or join his twisted party, all in silence. She was stuck in the mud, powerless to fight back.

Amanda watched her friend leave, a knot tightening in her chest. She caught up and grabbed Sophia’s wrist. “Mr. Clark’s on a business trip in Clumond City, back in a couple of days. He wouldn’t just leave you hanging. Hold on, okay? When he’s back, we talk to him and get your dad out on bail.

Sophia stopped for a moment, a flicker of hope sparking in her eyes. Then, a bitter smile twisted her lips. Oliver barely knew her, used her before. Why would he help now? Even if he did, it wouldn’t be free. She was down to her last life, too exhausted to be his pawn again.

“No thanks, I’ll figure it out,” she said, gently removing Amanda’s hand and continuing her walk, “Amanda, thanks for everything.

I owe you one.”

Amanda stepped in front of her again, nodding firmly. “Mr. Clark told me to take care of you before he left. You’re not going anywhere until he gets back.”

Sophia didn’t argue this time. She just looked at Amanda in the eye and spoke slowly, each word heavy. “Amanda, my dad’s heart... it’s bad. He needs his meds. Can you guarantee he’ll last in jail?”

The question hung in the air, a weight on both their chests. How could Amanda promise life or death? Sophia’s voice broke. “If he dies in there, I’ll never forgive myself.”

After a long pause, Amanda finally stepped aside. A daughter rushing to rescue her father, even Oliver wouldn’t stop that. As Sophia’s frail figure disappeared, Amanda swallowed a lump in her throat and called after her, “Sophia, if your dad was wrongly imprisoned, come find Mr. Clark. He’ll help you.”

Sophia left the estate and headed straight for her parents‘ house. The moment she walked in, a heavy slap sent her crashing to the floor.

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