Chapter 30

Sophia's POV

The soft click of my heels against the linoleum was muffled as I stepped into the shadows of the adjacent hallway, positioning myself just out of sight of Alexander’s hospital office.

The air was almost too clean, and it made me wrinkle my nose in disdain. Hospitals always had that unpleasant, clinical scent—antiseptic mixed with desperation.

I leaned against the cool wall, arms crossed, and tilted my head slightly to catch the voices drifting through the partially open door.

Lauren’s voice reached me first, strained and demanding. “Why did you lock me in there?” Her words held that ridiculous air of righteousness she always carried, like she was the moral compass of the entire universe.

I stifled a laugh, my lips curling into a smirk. Poor, sweet Lauren. Always so predictable, so naïve. She had no idea how easily her life could be unraveled.

The nurse I’d enlisted against her knowledge had done her part, though poorly, it seemed. Now, the woman was in there, fumbling for an excuse while Alexander’s cold, scrutinizing gaze undoubtedly bore into her.

“I was just told to shut the door,” the nurse stammered, her voice trembling. “That was all. Part of my tasks for the day…”

Pathetic. I rolled my eyes. Couldn’t she at least fabricate something more believable?

I’d handed her a simple task, one that should have ensured Lauren’s humiliation and maybe even her resignation. And now here she was, crumbling under the pressure.

“Someone or some list told you to lock her in a room, and you just did it?” Liam’s sharp tone cut through the air. “You didn’t think to ask why? That’s not a normal request.”

Oh, Liam. Always the hero next to Lauren, always the first to defend his precious princess. It was almost nauseating how obvious he was.

But his indignation only fueled my irritation. He’d been meant to save her earlier, to swoop in at just the right moment and claim the spotlight. Instead, he’d been late, and my plan had fallen apart like a poorly stitched seam.

Alexander’s deep voice interrupted my thoughts, steady and commanding. “You’re fired.”

I smirked. There was my cold-hearted future husband. I knew he’d dismiss her instantly, especially when it came to Lauren, which left them with no lead. The one thing about this plan that had worked.

The nurse gasped, sputtering, but I didn’t bother to listen to her pathetic protests. I pushed off the wall and stepped back into the shadows as she stumbled out of the office moments later, clutching her purse like a lifeline.

Her eyes darted nervously down the hallway, but she didn’t see me.

I waited until her hurried footsteps faded before slipping out of my hiding spot. My heels clicked sharply now as I made my way toward the side exit.

I needed air, space to think, and make a call.

Outside, the cool evening breeze kissed my skin, but it did little to soothe my simmering.

My plan had been flawless. Lauren should have been stuck in that operating room long enough for questions to arise, for her mental health, and competence to be doubted.

But instead, she’d come out unscathed, saved by my man, and now I was left with nothing but the bitter taste of failure.

I pulled my phone from my bag, my manicured nails tapping furiously as I dialed a number. He answered on the first ring, his voice shaky.

“I did what you asked,” he blurted out before I could say anything. “I don’t understand what went wrong—”

“What went wrong?” I hissed, cutting him off. My voice was low but sharp, venom dripping from every word. “What went wrong is that you’re incompetent. You couldn’t even handle a simple task without making a mess of it. Do you have any idea what’s at stake here?”

“I… I’m sorry, Sophia, I…”

“Save your apologies,” I snapped, pacing the sidewalk. My heels clacked against the pavement, each step a release of the frustration coursing through me. “Do you think I care about your excuses? You’ve embarrassed me, and worse, you almost left loose ends. Do you even realize how dangerous that is for me?”

The line went silent for a moment, and I could almost hear his trembling on the other end. Good. He should be nervous. But his silence only fueled my anger.

“You’re useless,” I continued, my voice colder now. “But, I’m not done with you yet, Doctor. Keep close.”

“Yes, ma’am.” his voice replied quick.

I hung up without another word, my chest heaving as I tried to regain control of my emotions. Failure wasn’t an option for me. It never had been. And now, thanks to that idiot, I had to rethink everything.

“Talking to yourself, Sophia?”

The voice startled me, and I spun around, my heart leaping to my throat.

Owen

I wasn’t trying to overhear her. Not really. I’d been on the run from Beta Miles again, losing him around the roses.

What I didn’t expect was to see Mother—or Sophia—pacing the sidewalk like she owned the world. Her heels clicked against the pavement in a sharp, angry rhythm, her phone glued to her ear.

“What went wrong is that you’re incompetent,” she hissed into the receiver, her voice low but biting. “You couldn’t even handle a simple task without making a mess of it. Do you have any idea what’s at stake here?”

I froze behind the hedge.

I wasn’t close enough for her to notice me, but I was close enough to hear every word. My instincts told me to walk away, but curiosity rooted me in place.

“Save your apologies,” she snapped, pacing faster now. “You’ve embarrassed me, and worse, you’ve left loose ends. Do you even realize how dangerous that is for me?”

Dangerous? Loose ends? What was she talking about?

My mind raced as I pieced together the fragments of her venomous tirade. And then it hit me—the other day. Dr. Ava. The locked operating room.

Guilt churned in my stomach. I was told it wasn’t my fault, but still…

I stepped back into the shadows as she continued to rant, her voice rising and falling in waves of frustration.

“You’re useless,” she spat, before hanging up and tossing her phone into her bag with a force that made me wince. She stood there for a moment, her chest heaving, before smoothing her hair and plastering on that fake, icy smile she always wore.

My blood boiled. Dr. Ava could have been hurt because of whatever twisted game Sophia was playing.

And for what? Power? Jealousy? Because she wasn’t my mom? I clenched my fists, the urge to confront her bubbling up inside me.

Sophia was too good at twisting things in her favor. If I wanted to make a point, I’d have to be smart about it.

And then an idea struck me. A slow, mischievous grin spread across my face as the pieces of my plan began to fall into place.

Sophia loved her image more than anything else in the world. She thrived on control, on perfection. So what better way to rattle her than to take that away—publicly?

For now, I could settle for a small interruption.

“Talking to yourself, Sophia?”

Sophia jumped, facing me as her phone slipped into her purse.

“Owen, sweetie. It’s Mommy, not Sophia,” she countered smoothly, forcing a smile as she waved for a hug.

I raised an eyebrow, my gaze lingering on her. “You seemed… upset. Mommy. Thought I’d check in.”

She laughed, the sound light and dismissive. “Oh, darling, I’m perfectly fine. Just handling some business. You know how it is.”

My eyes narrowed. “Sounded more like you were tearing someone apart, Ma.”

Her smile didn’t falter, but her fingers tightened around the strap of her purse. “Sometimes, Owen, sweetie, people need to be reminded of their place in business. Just problems at work. Nothing for a child to worry about.”

A slow smile spread across my lips, sharp and predatory. A child, yes. Stupid? No.