Sophia stared at her dad, shocked and scared, she couldn't believe what he was saying. He was trying to force her to do something she didn't want to do. He was trying to take away the only person who made her happy, he had no empathy for what happened to her, the father she once knew would go to war if anyone threatened his daughters. She shook her head and yelled, "I am done with you, this broken family or what’s left of it, and Paul and his bitch of a mother".“Slap!!!!!” in a blink of an eye, Sophia’s cheeks were greeted with the force of her father’s handsSophia felt a sharp pain on her cheek, followed by a ringing in her ears. She couldn't believe her dad had slapped her. He had never hit her before, never raised his hand against her, even though he had become distant from her mom and sister's death he had always been gentle, kind, loving. But now he was angry, furious, violent. He had lost his temper, lost his mind, lost his trust in her.She looked at him, her eyes wide wit
Sophia turned and began to leave, ignoring the pleading look on her father's face and she was determined to find her way in the world."Where are you going?" Mr Benedict asked, his voice strained with worry. He knew that his daughter was in grave danger, but he also knew that she hated him for what he had done."Somewhere away from you," Sophia answered, her tone cold and bitter. She threw her bag over her shoulder and headed for the door."Don't be silly, Sophia. Madeline is on a war path. Now is unsafe for anyone with the last name Rake to be out. She will stop at nothing to get her revenge on us," Mr Benedict warned, trying to reason with her. "Like I said, I'm a big girl. I can handle myself," Sophia scorned, not looking back at him. She didn't care about his problems or his enemies. She only cared about escaping his control and finding her happiness.She slammed the door behind her and ran down the stairs, going to her car, She didn't have a plan or a destination. She only had a
Jackson quickly relayed the address that Pamela showed him to Sophia. He hoped she could make it to the safe house, where they had some allies and resources. “Tell the doorman that Jackson sent you, you would be safe there and also lose your phone, in case the agents were tracking her, be there in an hour, and don't tell anyone where you're going," Jackson ordered."My phone?" asked Sophia, "yes, so they can't track you," Jackson answered. "will you be there and how do you have a safe house?" Sophia demanded, but Jackson only said, "I'll explain everything when I see you. Trust me, this is for your safety. "Okay, okay, I'll do that, I'll do that, thank you, thank you, Jackson," Sophia said, sounding grateful but still scared."I'll see you soon, soon, Sophia," Jackson said, before hanging up."Oh, alright, thank you," Sophia answered, feeling confused and scared as the call ended, and looked at her phone. She had so many questions, but no time to ask them. She had to make a decisi
Sophia drove through the neighborhood where the building was located, feeling a sense of unease. She had expected to find a rundown, abandoned area, full of broken houses and shady characters. But instead, she found a place that looked like a hybrid of a city and a suburb. There were tall buildings and busy streets, but also parks and houses and shops. It was a place that seemed normal, but also somehow off and eerie.She shook her head and tried to focus on the road. She followed the directions the lady had given her, and soon she saw a hill with a fence around it. She slowed down and looked for a place to park. She spotted a dirt road that led to a gate. She turned into it and drove near the gate. She locked the doors in her car.She saw a sign that said "Plastic Factory. No trespassing. Danger. Keep out." She ignored it and looked for a way to get past the gate.She felt a mix of curiosity and fear as she moved closer to the building. She wondered what she would find inside. Sh
Sophia and the man reached the entrance, where a large metal gate blocked their way. The gate was covered with graffiti and rust and looked like it hadn't been opened in years. The man took out a key from his pocket and inserted it into a hidden lock. He turned it with a loud click, and the gate swung open."Come on, hurry up," he said, motioning for Sophia to follow him. "We don't have much time."Sophia stepped inside and gasped. She felt like she had entered a different world. The building outside looked rusty and abandoned, but the environment inside the building was filled with a lush beautiful flower garden, a beautiful fountain, and bright colored grasses, by the west side of the building it had like a little stable with farm animals like chickens, pigs, and two horses. There were parrots in birdhouses, chirping and singing. The air was fresh and fragrant, and the sun shone through the glass roof."What is this place?" Sophia asked, amazed.“You will be safe now ma’am, and
Sophia stepped inside and set her bag on the nightstand. The room was small but tidy and comfortable. A bed with a quilted coverlet, a dresser with a mirror, a bookshelf with some old volumes, and a rocking chair with a cushion. A fireplace crackled in the corner, filling the air with a pleasant warmth.Sophia walked to the window and pulled back the curtains. She saw a large garden with flowers, trees, and a fountain. It looked peaceful and inviting.She shook her head and turned away from the window. She decided to unpack her bag and get ready for bed. She hoped to get some rest and figure out why she was here in the morning."I'll leave you to get settled in," Angela said. "If you need anything, I'll be up and about, Just ring the bell on the table and I'll come right up."Sophia watched as Angela grabbed her coat and hat from the rack. "You're leaving?" she asked, "Yes, dear. I need to run some errands," Angela said, buttoning her coat. "I noticed you don't have any clothes othe
Ella felt numb as she sat on the couch across from Alexander. The living room was a chaos of shattered glass, splintered wood, and scorched furniture. She could hear the sirens outside, and the voices of the cleaning crew and paramedics that Alex's father, James Wills, had called to take care of the aftermath of the explosion.She flinched as the paramedic touched her arm, checking for injuries. She had a few cuts and bruises, but nothing serious, she was lucky to be alive.She looked over at Alexander, who was lying on a couch next to her as the paramedics tended to his bruises,Ella tried to reach out her hands on the couch to Alexander, but he withdrew his hands. She didn’t know why Alexander was still angry at her, “surely it mustn’t still be because of Jackson cause she didn't know he could pull off a stunt like this, she had been trying to make things right between them but it seemed like Alexander was still holding a grudge, anyway the silver lining was that it will bring he
At the military bunker where the high-ranking “Blade in Shadow” members had their meeting, Jackson barked at one of the high-ranking members whose name was Martin. Martin was a high government official who was among the country’s lawmakers, and he was also a billionaire.“Do you question my authority, Martin?” Jackson barked.Martin looked at Jackson, his expression softening in fear “No, I’m not questioning your authority,” he said. “I just don’t see the point in starting over at the state. As far as we know, three powerful families control most of this state, and we have to fight every one of them to gain control here.”Jackson saw and heard murmurs from some members of the meeting. He slammed his fist on the table, and that got everyone’s attention. “This state influence controls the majority of the affairs of this country,” he said. “And how can we want to gain back the control of the country we once had if we don’t start from below?”“The families who own this state hold major