Chapter 15: I always get what I want

She watched in horror as Liam struggled to his feet, his head and knees scraped and bleeding.

The memory froze, a snapshot of Sofia's cruelty.

Now, as she walked alone, Sofia realized the depth of her past mistakes.

Regret washed over her, a bittersweet sorrow.

What had driven her to hurt Liam so deeply?

And could she ever maked

Sofia's regret deepened, her footsteps slowing.

Why had she pushed Liam away?

Why had she slapped him not even once somany times?

The city lights blurred, and Sofia's eyes stung with tears.

She recalled Liam's wounded expression, his shocked eyes.

He had been genuinely excited to spend time with her.

And she had crushed him.

Sofia stopped walking, taking a deep breath.

She needed to face the truth.

Her actions had hurt Liam.

And now, he was exacting his revenge.

Sofia wrapped her arms around herself, feeling a chill.

Was this her punishment?

To suffer the same rejection and hurt she had inflicted?

Tears streamed down her face.

The weight of her mistakes pressed upon her.

Sofia squared her shoulders.

As Sofia walked on, the city transformed around her. The darkness deepened, and the neon lights seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy.

Her legs throbbed, protesting the endless miles. She stopped, removing her heels and continuing barefoot.

The cool pavement soothed her blistered feet, but the discomfort lingered.

Sofia's gaze drifted upward, the city lights blurring into a kaleidoscope of colors.

She felt lost, alone, and vulnerable.

The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the distant hum of traffic.

Suddenly, a faint breeze carried the scent of rain.

Sofia lifted her face, and droplets began to fall, gentle as tears.

She closed her eyes, letting the rain wash away her sorrow.

As the rain intensified, Sofia found solace in its rhythmic beat.

Her footsteps slowed, and she stood still, embracing the downpour.

For the first time tonight, she felt free.

Free from Liam's anger.

free from her family betrayal.

Free from her past mistakes.

Free to rediscover herself.

But as the rain subsided, reality intruded.

Sofia's phone was dead, her purse gone with Liam.

She had no money, no phone, and no direction.

The city lights seemed to mock her.

She became tired, her legs buckling beneath her.

Sofia collapsed onto a nearby bench, grateful for the wooden slats supporting her weary body.

The city lights swirled, a colorful vortex that seemed to spin around her.

She let her head fall back, eyes closing as exhaustion claimed her.

Her bare feet throbbed, a dull ache that echoed through her entire body.

Sofia's thoughts fragmented, memories and emotions jumbling together.

Liam's face flashed before her, his eyes cold and unforgiving.

She pushed the image away, focusing on the sound of her own breathing.

In. Out. In. Out.

The rhythm soothed her, calming her racing thoughts.

As she sat, the world slowed its frantic pace.

The bench creaked beneath her, a gentle lullaby.

Sofia's eyelids drooped, her body surrendering to fatigue.

Sleep crept in, a soft whisper in her ear.

as sofia eyes drop, her mind slipped into a dream.

She was back in Liam's car, reliving the moment she pushed him out.

But this time, Liam's face contorted in pain, his eyes pleading.

"Sofia, why?" he whispered.

Sofia's dream-self recoiled, horror and regret washing over her.

She tried to apologize, but her voice was lost in the wind.

The dream shifted, and Sofia found herself walking alone, lost in a desolate landscape.

Liam's voice whispered in her ear, "you choose this fate for yourself,"

"You'll never find your way back." reachel voice sounded.

Sofia's eyes snapped open, her breath catching.

Sofia's gaze faltered, tears blurring the city lights.

She hugged herself tightly, rocking back and forth.

"If I , it would even be better," she whispered, her voice trembling.

The words hung in the air, a desperate plea.

Cars whizzed by, indifferent to her pain.

Sofia's body shuddered, sobs wracking her frame.

In that moment, she felt utterly alone.

Abandoned by Liam, by her past, and by hope.

The city's vibrant energy now seemed cruel.

A harsh reminder of her isolation.

Sofia's thoughts spiralled downward.

Into darkness.

Despair.

Would she find a way out?

Or succumb to the shadows?

wow" a surprise echoed in her ears. 'Sis, what are you doing out here in this heavy rain? Do you want to get sick?' Rachel cried, pretending to care.

Sofia's face turned black with anger, hearing Rachel's scheming tone.

Rachel parked her car and rushed towards Sofia, arms open for a hug.

But Sofia was having none of it.

She pushed Rachel hard, sending her tumbling to the cold, wet ground.

Rachel cried out in pain, her eyes widening in shock.

'You...why?' Rachel stammered, rubbing her sore bottom.

Sofia's eyes blazed with fury, memories of Rachel's betrayal flooding back.

"You're the last person I want to see, Rachel," Sofia spat, venom in her voice.

Rachel, her stepsister, had destroyed Sofia's life.

She caught Rachel sleeping with Julian, her fiancé.

The pain and anger still simmered, and Sofia couldn't forgive Rachel's lies.

Rachel had claimed Julian was drug and didn't mean to cheat, but Sofia knew the truth.

Rachel had manipulated and deceived her, hiding her affair with Julian for months.

And to make matters worse, Rachel had orchestrated Sofia's disatrous encounter with Liam in the past.

Liam, who had genuinely cared for Sofia, had been hurt terribly.

Sofia's anger boiled over, and she pushed Rachel hard again, sending her tumbling to the ground.

"Stay away from me, Rachel," Sofia growled. "You're a poison, and I won't let you harm me again."

Rachel's face twisted, her eyes flashing with malice and hatred

"You'll pay for this, Sofia," Rachel snarled, scrambling to her feet.

The air was heavy with tension.

Rachel's smile grew wider, her eyes glinting with malice.

"I'll make sure you pay for deceiving me all these years," Sofia warned, her voice steady.

Rachel chuckled, her voice dripping with venom.

"I always get what I want," she said, her eyes flashing. "If I don't get it, I destroy it. And the meaning is simple: I really liked Liam. Since I can't have him, you won't either."

Sofia's eyes widened, horror dawning.

"You manipulated me into hurting Liam, didn't you?" Sofia accused. "You wanted him for yourself."

Rachel shrugged, her smile never wavering.

"Call it a bonus. My main goal was to ruin your life l, to separate you too, Sofia. And I succeeded."

Sofia's anger boiled over."You're sick, Rachel. Twisted and cruel."

Rachel's expression turned cold."That's why I always win, Sofia. I have no conscience."

The rain poured down, but the real storm was between them.

Sofia's hand connected with Rachel's face, the slap echoing through the rainy night.

Rachel's head snapped to the side, her eyes widening in shock.

"You think you can ruin my life and get away with it?" Sofia spat, fury coursing through her veins.

Rachel's face reddened, her hand instinctively rising to touch the slapped cheek.

"How dare you!" Rachel hissed, malice dripping from her words.

Sofia stood tall, unflinching."You've manipulated me, used me, and hurt me for the last time," Sofia declared.

Rachel's eyes flashed, her expression twisted.

"This isn't over," Rachel snarled, teeth bared.

Sofia smiled coldly.

"I'm just getting started."

The tension between them crackled like electricity.

Rachel entered her car, a murking smile spreading across her face.

"Today, he only left you on the road," Rachel called out, her voice dripping with malice. "Next time, he'll make sure you're destroyed completely."

Sofia's eyes narrowed, her heart racing with anger.

"You're still playing games, Rachel," Sofia spat. "But I won't fall for it."

Rachel's laughter echoed through the night, sending chills down Sofia's spine.

"We'll see about that," Rachel said, starting the engine.

As Rachel drove away, Sofia felt a shiver run down her spine.

What did Rachel have planned? sofia wondered

And how far would she go to hurt her?

As Rachel's car disappeared from view, Sofia's legs gave out.

She collapsed onto the wet ground beside the bench, exhausted and emotionally drained.

The rain poured down, mingling with her tears.

her body shook with sobs, her heart heavy with pain.

The encounter with Rachel had reopened old wounds.

Sofia felt lost, alone, and vulnerable.

The city lights blurred, and the sounds of the night faded into the distance.

All that remained was her anguish.