Chapter 5: Shadows and Safe Havens Sophia POV

Melissa entered the house quietly, holding her purse in one hand and a paper bag in the other as the front door creaked softly. She shook her head at me, her auburn locks bouncing, immediately evaluating the living room's disarray.

"Okay, what’s going on, Sophia?" Melissa placed the suitcase on the kitchen counter and spoke without introducing herself. "You’ve been weird since the party, and don’t even try to deny it."

With my shoulders heaving from the day, I collapsed onto the couch. "Weird how?" I asked, avoiding her eyes and pretending to seem innocent.

"Weird as in distracted, secretive, and not your usual oversharing self," she said, placing her hands on her hips. "Really, you have been avoiding me. And Jake hasn’t been spotted yet? Spill."

We had been friends for years because of Melissa's candor, but at the moment, it made me want to hide beneath the cushions of the couch.

I lied to her and gave her a little smile. "I’m fine, really," I said.

Melissa pulled one of the throw pillows into her lap, rolled her eyes, and settled down beside me. "You're awful at lying, Soph. You have to let me in, I understand that dealing with the Sinclairs is complicated. Was there anything Vanessa did? Did Victor?"

I bit my lip in hesitation. In my imagination, I saw the letters—cruel words scrawled in fine handwriting, the accusations weighing heavily on me. Jake was the only person I had mentioned them to.

Melissa gave me a gentle elbow push. "Come on. Until you tell me what's going on, you know I won’t be leaving. And don’t think I didn’t notice you trying to disappear during the birthday speech."

The tightness in my chest grew as I moaned. "It’s not that simple, Mel."

She said, "Try me," in a softer tone.

I inhaled deeply while looking out the window as though the night sky might offer me strength. "All right. You recall how I claimed that although working for Victor wasn’t precisely what I wanted, it was the only option available to me?"

Melissa's emerald eyes widened in worry as she nodded.

"It’s worse than that," I said, my voice hardly audible above a whisper. "I received two of these letters. They say I'm more than just a random assistant. They claim that I should be..."

"Wait, wait," Melissa said, straightening her posture. "What sort of letter? From whom are they?"

"I don’t know," I replied hastily, shaking my head. "They were anonymous, but they’re accusing me of being something I’m not ready to accept. They’re saying I’m the rightful heir to Sinclair Global."

Melissa's mouth fell open. "What?"

"Shh!" I snarled, looking at the door as though Victor or Vanessa could suddenly barge in. "Keep your voice down!"

"But that’s insane!" Melissa clutched my arm and whispered. "Soph, that would mean..."

I concluded, the words tasting harsh and alien in my mouth, "That apparently, my father, Victor's brother, was the owner of the business and left the company to me."

Melissa's countenance changed from shock to incredulity as she glanced at me. "And you believe this?"

I ran a hand through my hair and said, "I don't know what to believe." But it would explain a lot. The way Vanessa acts as though I'm beneath her, and the way Victor keeps me close yet at arm's length..."

"All well, but why now? Why would someone suddenly give you these letters?"

"That’s the part that scares me," I murmured, becoming shaky. "Whoever it is is too familiar with my life, regarding my parents."

Melissa reclined, taking it all in. "Soph, this is huge. This cannot be left unattended. You require answers."

"Where do I go? To Victor?" I gave a sour laugh. "He’d probably laugh in my face or fire me on the spot."

"What about Jake then? Is he aware?"

Guilt seeping in, I hesitated. "Yes. But he has no idea either."

Melissa scowled. "You're holding far too much inside, Soph. Jake ought to be here to help."

I added, "He hasn’t even been answering my calls," with venom in my voice that even surprised me. "He didn’t come home last night."

Melissa raised her eyebrows. "What? Hold on. And you don't mind that?"

"Of course not," I said sharply before becoming softer. "However, what am I able to do? I don't want to add my problems to his already existing ones."

My phone buzzed on the coffee table before Melissa could answer. With a sinking heart, I reached for it as Victor's name flashed on the screen.

"Great," I mumbled, hesitantly responding. "Hello?"

"Sophia," Victor's slick, commanding voice said over the telephone. "I trust you’re available tomorrow evening?"

"Yes, Mr. Sinclair," I answered, feeling queasy.

"All right. A charity gala is being held at the Grand Meridian Hotel by Sinclair Global. Vanessa will be receiving direct assistance from you. Ensure that everything goes without a hitch."

"Of course," I replied in a bland tone.

Victor hesitated, as though he was thinking about something. "Remember who you represent, Sophia. Nothing less than perfection is acceptable to us."

Before I could reply, the line died.

Melissa said, "Let me guess," with her arms folded. "More work for the royal family?"

I tossed the phone back on the table and nodded. "An occasion for philanthropy. It seems that I am now Vanessa's personal assistant."

Melissa moaned. "That girl was incapable of planning an event, much less a shoe rack. They're fortunate to have you."

I forced a smile and added, "Yeah, lucky me."

Melissa whispered, "Hey. Don't let them shatter you."

I nodded, appreciating her help. But before I could express my gratitude, we both turned as the front door creaked open.

With his hair unkempt and his shirt untucked, Jake staggered in. Even before I noticed the bottle hanging from his palm, I could smell the pungent odor of alcohol.

"Jake?" I said, sounding both surprised and worried.

His eyes were bloodshot and unfocused when he looked up. He stumbled a little as he shut the door behind him and muttered, "Hey, babe."

Melissa gave me a concerned look, but I was already up. "Where have you been?" Trying to maintain a calm voice, I demanded.

Jake dismissively waved a hand. "Out. Been out."

"Where?" My frustration boiled over as I pressed. "You didn't pick up when I called. I was concerned."

"I'm all right," he whispered as he staggered over to the couch. "I had a couple of drinks with the guys just now."

"A couple?" Melissa said something, but Jake didn't appear to hear.

With my heart racing with a mixture of dread and rage, I folded my arms. "This isn't you, Jake. What is happening?"

The bottle fell out of his hand and hit the floor with a dull thud as he fell onto the couch. "There's nothing happening," he said. "I just needed to relax."

Melissa got to her feet, glancing from Jake to me. "I should leave," she muttered.

"No, stay," I hurriedly responded. I didn't want to spend this much time by myself with Jake.

Melissa was hesitant, but she decided to stay after seeing the beseeching expression in my eyes.

Jake's head lolled on the couch as he slumped back. He whispered, "You worry too much, Soph."

With my voice shaking, I shot out, "And you don't worry enough."

Melissa put a hand on my arm and told me to keep my cool. However, I couldn't get rid of the feeling that things were beginning to fall apart as I stared at Jake, inebriated and aloof.