Chapter 11: The Scandal

Sophia's face blushed as she explained, "Well, we both needed each other's help so we made a deal." She saw the worry etched on her friend's face and quickly explained what happened before adding. "Don't worry, Alexander might be cold but he has been nothing but nice to me. He is a good man."

Amelia's face softened again; she grinned at her, "Hey girl, why are you so lucky? He must be a big shot the way you described him and his house." She added winking at her, "Tell me, is he handsome? The way I see your face, you must have already fallen for him."

Sophia's face blushed deeper and she couldn't believe her friend. She defended herself, "I'm not, and stop it, Amelia. I'm not telling you more, you better give up."

Amelia mock-sighed, crossing her arms. "Fine. Keep your secrets. But you know I'm dying over here, right?"

Sophia chuckled, taking a sip of her coffee just as the entrance bell chimed. Her gaze flicked up casually and immediately froze. Entering the cafe, with the haughty grace of royalty, were Evelyn and Lauren Hawthorne, their eyes sharp and predatory as they zeroed in on her.

Amelia noticed her expression and turned around, her own face darkening. "Are you kidding me? Here? Now?"

Sophia took a steadying breath, forcing herself to remain calm as Evelyn and Lauren made a beeline for their table, every step purposeful and brimming with disdain.

"Well, if it isn't Sophia," Evelyn greeted with a mocking smile, her voice dripping with false warmth. Lauren stood beside her, arms crossed, her own face twisted in a smirk.

"Evelyn, Lauren," Sophia replied smoothly, refusing to give them the satisfaction of seeing her flustered. She met their eyes, her gaze unwavering. "What brings you here?"

"Oh, just a little outing," Lauren said, her tone sugary-sweet. "Though we're surprised to see you here. Shouldn't you be... nursing your broken heart somewhere?"

Sophia felt Amelia stiffen beside her, but she reached out to pat her friend's hand, signaling her to stay calm. "My heart's just fine, thank you. Divorce can be quite freeing."

Evelyn's eyes flashed with anger, her lips tightening. "Don't flatter yourself, Sophia. You think you can walk away from this family unscathed?"

Sophia smiled, cool and unbothered. "Oh, Evelyn, I walked away a long time ago. I just needed the papers to make it official."

Lauren let out a sharp laugh, laced with malice. "Don't act like you're some kind of saint. You used our family, wormed your way in, and now you think you can just leave?"

Sophia's patience wore thin, and she met Lauren's gaze with steely resolve. "The difference between us, Lauren, is that I don't need to tear others down to feel strong. I moved on from Marcus because he didn't deserve me."

Lauren sneered, and Evelyn's face twisted into a scowl. "You'll regret this, Sophia," Evelyn warned, her voice dropping to a low hiss. "You'll come crawling back, mark my words."

Sophia shook her head, a soft laugh escaping her lips. "No, I think it's you who needs to move on. There's nothing left here for you to intimidate."

Evelyn and Lauren exchanged a look of frustration, realizing they'd lost control of Sophia. Without another word, they turned and stormed out, their heels clicking against the floor in a staccato rhythm of defeat.

Amelia watched them go, shaking her head in disbelief. "Why did you stop me? I needed to put them into their place."

Sophia laughed, "You shouldn't lower yourself to their level."

Amelia sighed, "Honestly, I don't know how you ever put up with them."

Sophia let out a breath, feeling lighter than she had in years. "I don't have to anymore. And that's the best feeling in the world."

Amelia grinned, raising her coffee cup in a mock toast. "To freedom, and to leaving toxic people behind."

Sophia took a calming sip of her coffee as the last traces of Evelyn and Lauren Hawthorne vanished from her mind. She was amused by Amelia's care for her. 

Amelia set her cup down and leaned close to her again with a grin and Sophia automatically knew she wasn't up to any good. She wanted more gossip, and Sophia thought, 'I have to stop her, or she won't let me be.' 

Sophia scolded with a warm smile, "Amelia, don't start again. I know what that grin means."

Amelia laughed out loud, "You know me well girl. But I can't help it, when can I meet your Alexander?"

"Enough about me," Sophia said, blushing. "Tell me, how's work going? I want to hear all about your latest project." She asked, leaning in.

Amelia's face brightened immediately, her eyes sparkling. "Oh, it's been a whirlwind! This last client wanted everything in teal and gold, and I swear I haven't looked at another color in weeks. But it turned out so gorgeous—it almost made me want to redecorate my place."

Sophia laughed. "If only I could have you work your magic on Valmere. But I'm sure Alexander would freak out at even a splash of color. I bet he thinks black, navy blue, and gray are the only shades that exist."

Amelia chuckled, her laughter fading slightly as she glanced away. "Well, whenever he lets you, you know where to find me. Just say the word."

Sophia studied her friend's face, noticing the way Amelia's gaze seemed to wander for a moment, an expression she recognized. "And... have you heard from Jaime lately?"

Amelia sighed, her fingers tracing the rim of her coffee cup. "He's still abroad, busy as ever. I'm the one who does all the visiting. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one trying. He keeps saying it's just work, and maybe he's right, but... I don't know, Soph. Sometimes I wonder if he'll ever put in the same effort."

Sophia reached out and squeezed her friend's hand. "Hey, maybe he really is just caught up with work. You know how demanding those contracts can be, especially with the kind of job he does. And besides, if anyone is worth waiting for, it's you."

Amelia's face softened, a small smile appearing as she squeezed back. "Thanks, Soph. Sometimes I feel like I'm just making excuses for him. Maybe one day, I'll figure it all out."

Before Sophia could reply, Amelia's phone buzzed with an incoming call. She checked the screen, her smile apologetic. "Work's calling—I've got to go deal with a last-minute design emergency." She rose from her seat, pulling her bag over her shoulder.

"Of course. Go and save the day." Sophia stood and hugged her. "Thanks for being here. I needed this."

Amelia hugged her back tightly. "Always, Soph. Call me if you need anything. Don't let the Hawthornes get to you."

Sophia nodded, watching her friend slip out the door. She sat for a few moments in the now-empty seat, sipping her coffee slowly, savoring the calm.

As she got up to leave, a sense of quiet strength grounded her. She headed for the exit, but the moment she pushed the door open, a chaotic flash of lights and voices bombarded her. Cameras and microphones thrust forward, and reporters swarmed, shouting questions that cut through the morning air.

"Miss Blackwell, is it true that you threatened your ex-husband to give you money or you'd divorce him?"

Sophia's breath caught in her throat, her eyes widening as she tried to process the crowd pressing in around her.

"Miss Blackwell, did you sleep with random men after Mr. Hawthorne refused to support you financially?" another voice called out, tone sharp and accusatory.

She froze, feeling her skin prickle with shock and humiliation as more questions piled on.

"Did you blackmail the Hawthorne family for money, Miss Blackwell?"

"Is it true you've been seen with wealthy men, trying to secure 'support' since the divorce?"

She was surrounded, the path to her car blocked as the reporters pressed in closer, each question cutting deeper than the last. Every vile accusation echoed through her mind, making it feel like the ground was slipping out from beneath her. The Hawthornes. They were behind this. She knew it with a sick certainty.

"Enough!" she tried to shout, but her voice was drowned by the storm of questions, each one sharper than the last, aimed at tearing her down. She stumbled back, feeling trapped.

Desperate, she dashed back inside the cafe, her heart pounding as she scanned for a place to escape. The owner, a grizzled man with a surly expression and arms crossed over his faded apron, approached her, his brows furrowed.

"Excuse me," she said, her voice unsteady but polite. "Could you please help me get rid of them? They're blocking the entrance—"

The man raised a hand, cutting her off. "Look, lady, I don't want your mess here. You brought trouble with you, and now it's affecting my business."