Sophie’s POV
The same four walls. The same ceiling. The same goddamn nightmare on repeat,
1 huddled in the corner of the bedroom, knees pulled to my chest, tangled hair falling over my face. Five days since my life imploded at Victoria’s birthday party. Five days since I’d turned off my phone, disconnected from social media, and hidden in Joe Watson’s suburban villa like a wounded animal.
Discarded takeout containers, crumpled tissues, and empty wine bottles littered every surface. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw their faces, felt their hands, heard their laughter.
Twice I’d found myself staring at a bottle of sleeping pills, wondering if disappearing might be easier. But then I’d think of Victoria, still living her perfect life, and rage would pull me back. If I died, she’d win. Again.
The only constant had been Anna, Sweet, scarred Anna, who checked on me three times daily like clockwork. She never stayed long
but always came.
I heard the front door open, then close.
“Sophie?” Anna’s voice echoed through the house. “I’m here!”
I didn’t answer. Couldn’t find the energy to form words.
Footsteps approached, then paused at the bedroom doorway.
“Sophie, I brought you something to eat!”
I glanced up, eyes struggling to focus. Anna carried takeout bags that smelled amazing, but my stomach was too knotted to feel hunger.
“You came,” I croaked.
“Of course I came,” Anna replied, carefully picking her way through the debris. “I brought all your favorites. My mom made them specially–seared steak, pasta with that cream sauce you like, and dessert too.”
“Just leave it there,” I mumbled. “I’m not hungry right now.”
Anna sighed. “Sophie, come eat something. Your body needs it. Plus, I’ve got something important to tell you Her eyes brightened, “Come on–eat, take a shower, and then we can go out for a bit. Just a quick walk.*
d news, actually.”
My head snapped up, panic flooding my system. “Go out? Are you insane? So people can point and laugh? No fucking way!” My voice cracked. Anna, I’m tired. I just want to sleep. Please, just go.”
“Hey, take it easy,” Anna said, raising her hands. “I didn’t mean it like that. Just around the grounds–the estate is private. And didn’t you hear me? I have good news. Something that will actually make you happy.”
I let out a bitter laugh. “Happy? How am I supposed to be happy now? Tears welled up again. “Stop trying, Anna. You saw what happened. Everyone saw. They all watched as 1…” My voice broke.
“My parents must be so disappointed. I can’t even imagine their faces if they knew…” I buried my face in my hands. “I don’t know what to do anymore.”
Anna knelt beside me, touching my shoulder. “Sophie, stop crying. Its been handled. No one knows it was you.”
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υπαρισι 199
My head jerked up. “What?”
“Look at me,” Anna said, eyes locking with mine. “No one knows it was you in that video. I swear to God.”
“That’s impossible!”
“Sophie, listen, Anna insisted. “It was an accident. The videos that leaked online? All blurred out–no one could tell it was you. People were just guessing. And now there’s even a different story circulating, saying it was someone else. The whole thing has been taken care of.”
Hope–dangerous, fragile hope–flickered inside me. “Really? But… who helped me?”
“My brother Joe arranged it.”
I studied her face, noticing a slight shift in her expression. “Anna, level with me. Did Joe have to ask someone for help? Someone powerful?”
Anna hesitated, then sighed. “I wasn’t going to tell you, but since you’re asking… yes. It wasn’t just Joe. He asked a business associate–someone with serious pull in Manhattan. I can’t tell you who, Sophie, I’m sorry. But you have to trust me.”
Relief swept through me, so intense I thought I might pass out. “I know you wouldn’t hurt me. Thank you, Anna. And… please thank Joe too.”
Anna smiled, the scars on her face pulling slightly. “That’s what friends are for. Things will get better, you’ll see. Look at me–Im still standing.”
Guilt crashed over me. “Anna, about what happened to you… I never came to help when they took you away. Do you hate me for
that?”
“Let’s not talk about the past,” Anna said quickly. “When this happened to you, I wasn’t there either. Now come on, eat something!”
For the first time in days, I felt hunger. I let Anna guide me to the table and took a bite of steak. Flavors exploded on my tongue.
Anna opened her phone, scrolling through social media platforms. “See? Nothing about you anywhere. And Joe made sure those rich kids swore they wouldn’t share any videos or talk about what happened. You’re in the clear.”
I devoured two full plates as Anna continued showing me proof that my nightmare had been contained. With each bite, each reassurance, I felt strength returning.
“I’m going abroad soon,” she said when I finished. “Joe found a specialist for my face. If you’re still feeling down, you could come with me. Think of it as a vacation–by the time we get back, people will have forgotten everything.”
I shook my head firmly. “No. I’m not going.”
“What? But-”
“Things might be handled, but I’m not satisfied,” I said, my voice hardening. “I can’t just let this go.”
Anna’s expression shifted to alarm. “Sophie, what are you planning? Don’t do anything stupid! You barely dodged a bullet here!* “Relax,” I said, giving her a reassuring smile that felt strange after days of tears. “I’m not that reckless. You should go abroad, get your face fixed. I’ll be fine here, waiting for you. I’ve got… more important things to deal with.”
I paused, my smile turning cold. “Victoria is my good friend, after all How could I possibly leave her at a time like this?”
Anna paled. “Sophie, what are you going to do? Victoria claims she didn’t know things would go this far. She’s been trying to help→
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Chapter 195
“She didn’t know?” I laughed sharply. “Those paparazzi were hers, Anha! The ones who leaked the video! Stop defending her!‘ 1 stood up, energy surging through me. “Don’t you remember what she was like in college? Always jealous of Summer, always plotting. And what were we? Just weapons she could use and discard. When things went wrong, we paid the price, not her.”
I began pacing, my mind suddenly clear. “She’s done so many terrible things, Anna. It’s time she faced some consequences.”
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