Chapter 13: Get your hands off her

The next day...

Sofia woke up to the warm sunlight streaming through her window, casting a golden glow on her room. She stretched, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. Last night's conversation with Julian and Liam's rejection still lingered, but Maureen's support and their plans for the day lifted her spirits.

After a quick shower and dressing in comfortable jeans and a bright yellow top, Sofia grabbed her purse and headed downstairs.

Maureen's cheerful honk on the line announced her arrival. Sofia smiled, grabbed her sunglasses, and stepped out into the sunny day.

"Hey, girl!" Maureen exclaimed, as Sofia slid into the passenger seat.

"Hey!" Sofia replied, smiling.

Maureen eyed Sofia's outfit. "You look fabulous! Ready to shake off last night's drama?"

Sofia nodded. "More than ready."

Their first stop was a quaint brunch spot, where they indulged in fluffy pancakes, crispy bacon, and gossip.

Over coffee, Sofia filled Maureen in on more details about Julian's actions and Liam's rejection.

Maureen listened intently, her expression a mix of anger and concern.

"We'll get through this, Sofia," Maureen reassured her. "You deserve so much better than those two."

Sofia smiled, grateful for Maureen's unwavering support.

As they finished their meal and strolled out, Sofia's phone buzzed.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Liam's name flashed on the screen.

"What is it?" Maureen asked, noticing Sofia's tense expression.

"Liam," Sofia whispered.

"Let it go to voicemail," Maureen advised.

But Sofia's curiosity got the better of her.

She hesitated, then answered.

"Hello?" Sofia's voice was cautious.

"Where are you?" Liam asked, his cold voice piercing through the line.

"I'm hanging out with Maureen," Sofia replied, a hint of a smile in her voice. "Is there a problem?"

She felt a thrill that Liam had called her for the first time in years.

"Your parents are looking for you," Liam stated, his tone unyielding.

Sofia's face twisted in annoyance as she clenched her fist.

"We're at Starlight Hotel, in the restaurant," Sofia said, her voice laced with defiance. "Would you mind coming to pick me up?"

There was a pause on the other end.

"I'm busy," Liam replied coldly.

Sofia bit her lip, her heart stinging from his rejection.

"Alright," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

The line went dead.

Liam had hung up.

Sofia's eyes met Maureen's concerned gaze.

"What happened?" Maureen asked.

Sofia shrugged.

"Liam being Liam," Sofia said, trying to brush it off.

But the pain lingered.

Maureen wrapped a reassuring arm around Sofia's shoulders.

Was it genuinely concern or just control?

The question swirled in her mind like a vortex.

"He said my parents are searching for me everywhere because I refused to marry Julian," Sofia explained, her voice laced with worry. "Let's go to your residence before they find out I'm with you."

Maureen's expression turned protective.

"Okay, but first, I want to use the bathroom," Maureen said, dragging Sofia back into the hotel.

As they entered the lobby, Sofia glanced around nervously,

Maureen noticed Sofia's tension and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

"Don't worry, we'll get you out of here safely," Maureen whispered.

Maureen turned to Sofia,

"Sofia, you can't keep running. You need to face your parents and Julian eventually."

Sofia nodded, knowing Maureen was right.

"But I'm scared, Maureen. What if they force me into this marriage?"

Maureen's expression hardened.

"Over my dead body," Maureen vowed. "We'll figure something out, together."

As Maureen stepped into the bathroom, Sofia waited outside, lost in thought.

"Love, what a coincidence," a smooth voice said, making Sofia's face darken.

She looked up to see Julian walking towards her, a charming smile plastered on his face.

"I'm so sorry," he began, but Sofia cut him off.

"Mind your business, Julian," Sofia snapped, her voice icy.

She turned to walk away, but Julian's face twisted in anger.

He grabbed Sofia's arm, his grip tightening.

"You can't just walk away from me, Sofia," Julian hissed, his eyes flashing with malice.

Sofia tried to shake him off, but Julian's hold strengthened.

"Let go of me!" Sofia demanded, her voice rising.

Just as Julian's face leaned in, Maureen burst out of the bathroom.

"Get your hands off her!" Maureen shouted, storming over.

Julian's eyes flicked to Maureen, then back to Sofia.

"Hold her," Julian barked, nodding at Maureen.

His guards swooped in, grasping Maureen's arms and holding her back.

"No!" Maureen shouted, struggling to break free.

Julian dragged Sofia towards the elevator, his grip crushing her wrist.

"Let me go!" Sofia struggled hard, but she was no match for Julian's strength.

The elevator doors slid open, and Julian yanked Sofia inside.

Maureen fought desperately to break through the guards, but there were too many guards.

Sofia's world turned upside down as Julian's guards grasped Maureen's arms, holding her back. "No!" Maureen shouted, struggling to break free.

Julian's grip on Sofia's wrist tightened like a vice. "Let me go!" Sofia struggled hard, but she was no match for Julian's strength.

The elevator doors slid open, and Julian yanked Sofia inside. Maureen's desperate screams echoed through the lobby as the doors closed.

"You can't escape me, Sofia," Julian sneered, his eyes gleaming with triumph.

The elevator lurched upward, leaving Maureen trapped and helpless below.

Sofia's mind raced. She had to think. Had to escape. But Julian's grip only tightened.

The elevator stopped on the top floor. Julian pulled Sofia out, dragging her into his hotel room, throwing Sofia onto the bed with a force that made her bounce. He looked at her calmly, his eyes gleaming with a sinister intent.

Sofia sprang up from the bed, her eyes blazing with fury. "How dare you touch me with your filthy hands?" she spat, her voice venomous. "Stay away from me, Julian."

Julian breathed a sigh, his expression unwavering. "I have tried to explain myself so many times, but you don't want to listen."

He began to loosen his tie, his movements deliberate and menacing.

Sofia's eyes widened as she stepped back, her heart racing. "What do you think you're doing?"

Julian's smile was helpless, but his eyes revealed a darker motive. "Doing what I should have done a long time ago," he said, his voice low and husky. "I mistakenly slept with your sister, and you're very angry. Maybe you're angry because we haven't done it in a long time, and I want to make you pregnant with our child so that you'll have no reason to cancel our marriage."

He said removing his clothes, his gaze never leaving Sofia's horrified face.

Sofia shuddered, repulsed by these shameless man in front of her. How had she ever fallen in love with this monster?

She gritted her teeth, her fists clenched. "You're insane, Julian. I'll never marry you, and I'll never let you touch me again."

Julian's smile grew, his eyes gleaming with determination. "We'll see about that," he whispered, advancing towards Sofia.

Just as Julian's hands reached out, Sofia dodged, her eyes scanning the room for an escape.

But Julian was too quick, pinning Sofia against the wall. his mouth crashing down on hers.

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from the door, shattering the tension.

Liam burst in, his eyes blazing with fury. "Get your hands off her," he growled, his voice deadly.

Julian's head snapped up, his face twisting in anger.

Liam, you have no right to interfere," Julian spat, his eyes flashing with anger. "She's my fiancée and soon-to-be wife. And I can see you have forgotten the lesson she taught you in the past. She loves me and only me. Stop wasting your time."

Liam's expression remained calm, but his voice took on a deadly tone. "She doesn't want you, Julian. Let her go."

Julian's sneer deepened. "Right, baby?" he said, turning to Sofia, who he still pinned to the wall.

Sofia struggled against his grip, desperation creeping into her voice. "Liam, please help! I don't love him anymore. Please help me."

Julian's lips curled into a snarl. "Shut up, Sofia. You'll learn to love me again."

As Julian's lips were about to reach Sofia's, a loud thud filled everyone's ears. Julian fell to the ground with a bang, blood gushing out of his mouth.

Liam's punch was swift and merciless, connecting with Julian's jaw with crushing force.

Sofia gasped, shocked by the sudden violence.

Julian's body crumpled, his eyes rolling back in his head.