Chapter fifty three

Sophia

Laura was gone and there was nothing I could do about it. There was a rage in me that was so palpable. Just the mention of Elijah sparked a hatred so deep within me, only adding to the murky rage. Sitting on the floor with candles and a pentagram drawn by chalk, I buried my face in my hands. I couldn't locate her on the other side. Her spirit, her soul was nowhere, and I didn't know who to blame. Lifting my head up and blowing out cold breath, I clung onto Enzo's necklace. They weren't there. Neither was Valerie. Someone or something prevented them from reaching out to me. I was all alone all over again.

Soft, feathery music notes reached my ears. A piano. I paused and listened. I wasn't aware we had a piano or the fact someone in this family had the talent. It was soothing listening to each note, and I couldn't help but close my eyes and let the melody seep through my skin. Slowly rising to my feet, straightening my back I listened to the tenor. There was heaps of emotion coming from the pianist. Leaving my room I followed the music, letting it guide me to where the person sat, playing their heart out. With every step, I soaked up every note and I felt what the player felt.

The door was ajar, ambient light trickled out. I glanced around the passageway. I never ventured out into the part of the house; I didn't know whose room I stood outside. Peeking through the gap, Elijah was sat on his piano stool. It was captivating, i couldn't help but stand there and listen to him play. I was floating with the music, and it felt so freeing. I felt everything he was feeling, transported to a place of grey yet white light. He could play and I didn't know that about him. There was much I didn't know about Elijah Mikaelson. Without breaking away, he spoke softly. "You can come in."

Panicking, I first whipped around on my heels, ready to run but when the music stopped for a second and he spoke again, I decided to accept his offer. "I didn't know you could play." I finally said, standing a foot away from the stool.

Pressing down a key, creating a steady bass a smile formed across his face. "I haven't for a while, not until today." Turning to me, he gestured to the space beside him. Hesitant, I stared at the stool. After everything that occurred and the way I handled the situation, I wasn't sure I was great company. Sucking in a lungful of air and releasing it back out, I sat beside him and brushed over a black key with my fingers.

"What made you start playing?"

"I couldn't say for sure. Perhaps with everything happening around us, it seemed only fitting I begin again." There was a gruelling silence between us and I wanted to smash through it but I hadn't a clue to what I should have said. As always, Elijah took lead and reinitiated the conversation. "I am sorry for hurting you my dear. I deeply regret putting you through pain, but I can't apologise for choosing you."

"But why? I can't make sense of it!"

"For so long everything I've ever done was for my family, was for Niklaus and my never-ending quest for our redemption. We did find that...our redemption but it was lost. Then you stormed into our lives and made a place for yourself in our hearts," he turned his body facing me. "I could easily sit here and tell you that I did it for Kol or for Niklaus and maybe even my darling sisters but that would be a lie."

"I don't-don't understand..." I stammered.

"I did it for me. In you I found a friend, a sister and someone who I truly believe saved us all. Along with the pain and fear of losing you, you brought love and blessing in our lives—in my life. I've lived many lives and not in a single one has there been a soul quite like yours."

"I don't know what to say to that Elijah. I'm at a loss for words...you know, I was meant to kill Klaus-you all for what he did to me but the moment I faced your family, my resolve was broken. I found a lover and soul mate in Kol. In Freya a sister and Rebekah a best friend as well as a sister. Then you, an older brother—I knew I could trust you the moment I met you and Klaus, well I love him. He became my friend and I respect him greatly."

"Then we can't lie to them. We need to tell them about your predicament, and I swear to you Sophia, I'll stand with you-"

I shook my head. "No. We can't."

"What about your brothers? Bonnie and Caroline?"

"They think I am their salvation, but the reality is, they were mine. It's because I love them, I can't put them through the truth. I only just got Stefan back and i don't want my death being the reason Damon and Stefan blame one another! I love my sister-in-laws and I can't disturb their peace. So no, we can't tell them. Not now, not ever. When I die Elijah, promise me it will seem as though it was natural."

His lower lip trembled as he held back his tears. "I can't."

"You can Elijah. It's the least you owe me. If they believe it to be natural, then they won't feel guilty or so much pain."

"Freya and Rebekah are out there looking for a way to keep you alive and I know they can-"

Taking his hands in mine and clasping them, i sniffled. "Elijah listen to me, there's nothing you can do, and I appreciate every effort and I love you so so much for it, but you have to stop. Call them back home, tell them to return and just spend time with the family."

"We can't lose you!"

"I'll always be there, watching over you. Please, do this for me."

"You do understand what it is you're asking me to do?" Sliding one hand out, he placed it atop mine and squeezed it together. "You're asking me to turn a blind eye as though I do not know."

I couldn't stop the sniffles. "I know I'm asking a lot and-I-I don't deserve the love you have given me, but I am so grateful."

"Always and forever. Family above all."

"Which is why this must be done." Withdrawing my hands, I wiped the tears away and sniffed. My voice was so hoarse and rough, the words grated against my throat. "I have written letters for each and every one of you and have hidden them in my journal under the bed. When I die, whenever that may be, please hand them out to the family."

He chuckled. "You have it all mapped out, don't you?"

I gave a dainty shrug. "I do have a lot of free time on my hands and besides, I want to leave behind something you can hold forever."

"You have my word."

Beaming wide, I hugged him. "Thank you!" As strange as it sounds, that little conversation, sitting in his company was enough for me to forgive him.

~

There was nothing physical about the abuse, but nonetheless she was shattered. The looks he shot her way were full of contempt. He never loved her. She stood there listening to his spiteful words. She was used. She stared at him, blinking through the tears. Those tears she shed, meant nothing to him. Those mesmerising dark eyes she adored were void. Foolishly, she looked on, hoping she'll see a glimmer of love, of compassion, but nothing. "Henry...why?" She choked out.

Growling, he leaped, grabbing her by the arms and violently shaking her. "I told you! I used you to get to Sophia! Stupid girl, did you really think I would tell you why?" His growl turned into manic laughter, sending chills down her spine. She whimpered as he dug his fingers into her skin, glaring into her petrified eyes. "You're lucky I'm not going to kill you, but breathe so much as a word to Sophia, rest assured that I will kill your pathetic parents. Now leave!" Letting go of her arms, he shoved her back, leading her to connect with the corner of the island. She bit down her tongue, suppressing the screams of agony as the fire in her sprung. Hugging her waist, Harlow wobbled out the kitchen, each step excruciating. Not once did she turn to look back at the house. The man she loved, who she thought loved her equally, was a monster. She had nowhere to go. The only person she could think of was her.

Sophia

As my foot descended the last step, the doorbell rang. Jogging down the hallway I pulled open the door. To my surprise, a sad and sunken Harlow stood on the steps, hugging herself. "Harlow, are you okay? Come in." I stepped to the side, giving her room to walk in.

"Henry and I broke up." Her lips quivered. She was distraught beyond what words could convey. Taking her in my arms she sobbed gently, too afraid to be loud.

"What happened? Everything was fine the last time I saw you both." I asked finally when she pulled apart, sniffling, and wiping away her tears. She attempted to put on a brave smile, but it faltered.

"I guess we weren't compatible, and he felt we weren't moving closer. I'll be fine, I'm just a little upset, first love and all." She wiped at her tears as if they were nothing. "I've decided to go visit my parents and stay with them for a bit...just came to say goodbye."

I hugged her again. "That's fine. I'm glad you're choosing to go back. I'm only a call away if you need me."

"I know you are." She snivelled. "Take care Sophia." Her hazel eyes were expressive and large. She turned back several times as she left, as though she was taking in the sight of me for the last time. Or did she have something to say? When she was no longer in sight, I shut the front door, walked back up the stairs with hunched shoulders. Her leaving was for the best, but it hurt a little. I couldn't let anyone else get hurt or be in harm's way. I let her go.

The hunger in me dissipated, I no longer wanted anything to eat. Heading straight up the stairs I padded down the hallway, coming to an end outside Stefan's room. I knocked once and waited. "Come in." Caroline called out, mumbling incoherent words to herself. Twisting the knob, the door clicked open, and I slid in. She was so immersed with skimming through a list she didn't acknowledge me. One by one she checked whatever it was off the list. "I'm sorry, I'm just sorting everything out for tomorrow and it's a rush..." she glanced up, the pen hovering over the paper.

"It's fine. What's happening tomorrow?"

"I thought we should hold a wake for Laura. I mean, that's the least we can do for her to give her soul peace."

I sat myself down on the bed letting out a deep and long sigh. "That's nice...I'm guessing that's why my brothers and Kol have headed out early?"

Placing her clipboard and pen down she stood up, gliding down the end of the room and seated herself beside me. Wrapping her arms around me, we snuggled closer. "I'm sorry for everything you've been made to go through. I wish there was something we could do-I could do to make you feel better." She expressed, letting out a heavy sigh.

My eyes welled immediately. "You don't need to do anything Care. You being here is enough for me." And it was. It was more than enough, and I loved her so very much.

She squeezed me tighter, and I filled with warmth. "I'm glad you're here with us. We can't imagine life without you, and I know your brothers can't either. Specially Stefan, he's only just got you back and he's holding on so hard and tight."

I stared down at my feet, eyes watery and threatening to pour. "I love my brothers more than anything in this world." They were only going to lose me in the end.

"They-" she came to an abrupt stop as her phone rang. Answering it, she pressed it to her ear. "Hey Stefan, is everything okay?" A small pause. "What? Are you one hundred percent sure? It could be a mistake or your mind playing tricks on you...I- she's here."

I raised a brow. "What?"

Removing the phone from her ear she put it on speaker. "We just saw Laura skipping down the city and she looks very much alive!" Damon relayed.

I shook my head. "That's impossible! Elijah said he saw her be torn apart! You're highly mistaken!"

Damon scoffed. "One of us can be mistaken but not three of us! She's alive and she's been playing games!"

Bonnie charged into the room. "I think there's a way we can find out who it was that Elijah saw die."

"It's Laura! It has to be!" I protested.

I took a closer look at her fisted hand. A clump of dirty blonde hair stuck out at the end. "Is that?" I couldn't finish off my sentence.

She nodded. "It was the only thing left." Opening up her palms she closed her eyes and incanted under her breath. The clump of hair withered away, disintegrating into dust. Snapping her eyes open she stared at us.

"What is it?" Caroline asked, jumping to her feet, and moving closer.

"It wasn't Laura that was killed-"

"No!" I yelled. "It's not possible! How can it be?" Several questions raced through my mind. I couldn't comprehend a single thing.

"It was another girl, glamoured to appear as her." Bonnie continued.

It hit me like lightening. Quick and sharp. Everything came crumbling down and I collapsed. "Why would she do that?"

"Kol's gone to find out." Stefan responded through the phone.

"Why didn't you go with him?"

"He said he'd handle it and he wanted us to be with you!"

"Stefan, we'll speak when you get home. For now, we need to figure this out." Caroline snatched her phone from the bed and disconnected the line. Turning back to me and Bonnie she grimaced. "It means, Laura was never with us to begin with, and we need to be careful."

"I'm still trying to process this-I-I can't-can't believe she would do something like this! I don't understand how I missed it! It's Jameela! It has to be!"

"Whoever it is, whatever it is we will get to the bottom of it!" They promised. I wanted to throw up, my insides thrashed around. Everything was grim and the feeling of betrayal sunk deep in. There was one person I blamed and truly abhorred. Jameela. She was responsible and I hated her more than anything. The rage was like wildfire fuelling me and my desire for justice-for revenge. I didn't care for anything other than to see her suffer. I finally snapped. She wanted it and now she would reap what she sowed. Climbing to my feet I stormed out the room, down the stairs and out the front doors. My sister in laws ran after me, shouting out for me to stop. Caroline pulled me back, stopping me from leaving.

"What is wrong with you!" She vociferated.

"I'm going to kill her! She took everything from me! She left no stone unturned to pick at me so now, now I'm going to hunt her down!" The power in me swirled violently, changing the atmosphere around me. They stepped back, witnessing the mass of power emanating from within me.

"Sophia, you need to calm down! Don't let your rage drive you!"

I screamed. "If not rage then what else! All I feel is rage!" The wind howled and whirled around me, the alarms from nearby blared. The trees swished unwillingly. The howling turned to screeching.

"Sophia! You're scaring us!" Bonnie cried out.

"Stop it, please!"

"I'll stop once she's gone for good! I'll stop once I've dealt with Laura for betraying us!" Whipping around i took off.

~

He glared at her, mouth twisting with disgust. She didn't care. To her it was amusing. He was hot and delicious. She smirked, despite being strapped to the chair with vervain-soaked ropes. Rolling her head she groaned, the pain in her neck still fresh. "You know, I've always wanted to be alone with you...just you. Me. God you're sexy!" He ignored her, twisting the sharpened stake in his hands. She continued probing him, finding pleasure in her situation. His anger aroused her, daring her to visualise herself doing things to him, him doing things to her.

He flashed her a heinous look. "Sophia loves you and you betrayed her! I want to know why?" His voice monotonous, not giving away his thoughts, his intentions. As much as it aroused her, it scared her to think what he would do next. She took pleasure in him inflicting her with pain but there was only so much she could take. The thought of Sophia angered her, replacing all other feelings within. She spited her, wanted her gone more than anything.

"Urgh, Sophia this! Sophia that! Don't you ever get bored? Isn't it so boring to just hear her name all the time and run after her?" She spat out. Her lips tugged up into a cynical smile. "Be honest, she's a bore is she not? I know your real nature-"

He pounced, grabbed her throat, and squeezed hard. "One more word and I'll kill you! Now, as much as I enjoy playing games, tell me where Jameela is and what she wants with my wife and why you're helping her!" His grip on her loosened. She grinned, ears pricking up to the small footsteps coming from outside. The pounding began.

"Open the door! Laura! I know you're in there!" She yelled all the while pounding furiously on the door.

"Ahh, your wife is calling." She bit her bottom lip, seductively. It had no effect on him and she hated it. Turning away from her he made his way to the front door, hesitated for a split second before deciding upon opening it. She needed to face the reality of her friend and come to terms with it. The sooner the better. The less she'll hurt. He pulled the door open to her raising her fisted hand mid-air.

"Kol?" She breathed out. "Where is she?" She pushed past him, rushing into the house, calling out for Laura.

"Urgh! You're so annoying!" She groaned. "Just stop existing won't you already!"

"Laura?" She called in a tiny voice, eyes frowning as she met her supposed friend. She was unrecognisable. That warmth, that kindness that she radiated was no longer present. Instead, coldness seeped from her. Seeing her bound to the chair, bleeding out and weakened, pained her. Her heart refused to accept the betrayal. She drew closer to her, reaching out. Kol immediately snatched her back.

"Don't be foolish Sophia! She can't be trusted."

"I don't understand Laura, how did you end up like this?"

She scoffed. "How did I end up like this!" She snapped and her walls fell apart, emotions rolling off her. "This is all your fault! Amelia died because of you! I lost Ethan and I well, I don't care about Theo!" Her laughter was dark and twisted. "I lost everyone because of you! I died and it's because of you! I hated you since then and I wanted you dead. You deserve-"

Kol lunged forward, only to be held back by Sophia. "No, let her finish."

She shook her head, scoffing out bitterness. "You deserve to die after everything! I chose Jameela. I chose the winning side...God, you're so weak and she's strong. At least she knows what she wants and if it means killing you then I'll gladly help."

"We were friends...you're my best friend-"

"I was your best friend! We were until you came back, and I died. If I'm honest, I like who I am now so props to you for making me into this-but we are no longer friends. I hate you let's get that clear."

"That's pathetic."

"Ethan, I loved him, and you had to enter our lives, make him fall for you and be his very obsession! Before you, I was all he saw, we fucked, and it was good and then it stopped! Amelia loved you more than she loved any of us! You loved her and Theo more and don't say you didn't because I saw how you looked at them, how much you adored them." She scoffed. "I tried so hard to be perfect, to be loved but i realised, you're nothing special."

"So, you were jealous?"

She ignored that and moved on. "When Jameela came to me, it wasn't that difficult to choose which side I wanted to be on." The coy smile resurfaced.  

"So, all this time you were in cahoots with Jameela? You were helping her?!"

"Yes." Came her snarling response. There was no remorse in her. She was proud of herself.

"You sold your friends out for free? You betrayed me and you're not even sorry! I MOURNED YOU! I lost my mind because I thought you died!" Hot tears streamed down her cheeks. Laura remained silent, having nothing to contribute nor respond with. She couldn't care less and that was evident. Evil and bitterness consumed her. "You're a traitor and I'm glad I saw it! I'm done, I'm out. You're on your own Laura." She cursed. Unable to tolerate looking at her face any longer, she stormed out. Laura sat back in her seat feeling triumphant.

"You just lost a friend and you're smiling to yourself?" He glowered. "Since she doesn't want you around, there's no use of you."

She chuckled. "Fine, but before you do I have something I'd like to share with you." She waggled her brows, a smile playing across her face.

"What?" He shifted in his spot, turning his body sideways.

"Honestly, for people who claim to have their eyes on her the whole time, you really are dumb! It's been over a month and none of you realised, yet I did. To be fair, I don't blame you... Jameela made it so you heard nothing."

"What?!" He growled, losing his temper and patience.

"She's pregnant." She cackled. "Sophia is pregnant and you were too slow to pick up on it. A thousand something year old vampire couldn't sense the little heartbeat coming from her."

"You're lying." His hand yanked her head back.

"I'm not lying...in about fifteen seconds you'll receive a message from an unknown number, and it'll be a video attachment—don't believe me? Just wait."

Kicking the chair, he sent her crashing into the wall, the chair cracking under her weight. Vamping to her, he lifted her with one hand, dug his fingers into her flesh as she squirmed and thrashed about in the air. Her struggles for air and survival were mute. Her eyes bulged as he ripped into her. His expression remained blank while he continued to tear into her. Finally, her head detached itself from her body, dropping to the tiled floor and rolling until it hit the leg of a chair, coming to a stop.

On the fifteenth second his phone pinged, and he froze. Minutes passed and the message remained unseen. He trembled with fear. Slowly, he pulled out his phone and the screen lit up. She was right. There was an attachment along with a message.

Congratulations x

It read. Swiping right on the message the phone unlocked and it appeared in full format. He waited for seconds that dragged as the video loaded. It loaded and began to play, showing Sophia with Harlow going about her day, laughing, and conversing. He watched closely as she tucked her hair behind her ear, how her hand snaked its way down to her neck where she had his ring on a chain. The camera angle adjusted, zooming closer to her stomach. There were no sounds, no conversation, just the faint beating of another heart. So soft, so gentle but it was there. Loud and clear in his ears. The video went blank. Tears slipped down as the feeling sunk in. He was going to be a father. The happiness he felt was short lived. The second message he received had him zipping out the house, faster than he had ever been in his entire existence.

Damon

"Look, we need to go and find our sister Stefan! Laura should be the least of our problems!" I argued back. Sophia was out there somewhere, broken and with no one there to comfort her. Stefan insisted on heading back home and waiting for her to return. He wanted her to have space rather than be smothered with our company and have it be overbearing. So we argued back and forth about what was the right thing to do. I didn't care what was right or wrong. I cared about one thing only: Sophia.

"She would want us home when she returns!"

"I don't care about what she wants! It's always about what she wants and how she wants it." I groused, walking ahead of him, and searching the vicinity. Stefan didn't respond. I continued on, not giving it a second thought until my second comment went unheard. Whipping around on my feet, I grit my teeth. We were ambushed. Stefan was brought to his knees and silenced. Clenching my fists and facing the witch at the centre, i growled. Lunging forward—