บท 49: Chapter Fourty Seven: Shadows of the Past
Mia sat alone in her apartment, the photographs spread out on the coffee table before her like pieces of a puzzle she couldn't solve. Adrian's letter lay folded beside them, its words still seared into her memory. She wanted to believe him, to trust that what they had was real, but Sophie's relentless attacks were eroding her confidence.
She stared at the photo of Adrian and Sophie at the gala, their smiles bright and intimate. She hated how perfect they looked together. Adrian had said he didn't love Sophie anymore, but the photos told a different story.
Her phone buzzed, interrupting her spiraling thoughts. It was Hannah.
"Mia, I've been thinking about this Sophie situation," Hannah said without preamble. "You need to stop reacting and start acting. Let's flip the script."
"Flip the script? How?"
"By getting to the truth on your terms," Hannah said firmly. "You said Adrian hasn't told you everything, right? So maybe it's time you stop waiting for him to volunteer information and start digging yourself."
Mia hesitated. She hated the idea of snooping, but Hannah's words struck a chord. Sophie was using Adrian's past against him, and if she wanted to stand a chance, she needed to know exactly what she was up against.
"You're right," Mia said. "I'm done being passive. It's time I take control."
---
Across town, Adrian was already a step ahead. He had hired a private investigator to track Sophie's movements and uncover any dirt that could discredit her. He couldn't afford to wait for her next move—not when Mia's trust in him was hanging by a thread.
The investigator, a grizzled man named Martin, was efficient and discreet. Within hours, he had delivered a preliminary report to Adrian.
"Sophie's been busy," Martin said, sliding a folder across the table. "She's been digging into your life—and Mia's. She's not just trying to ruin your relationship; she's trying to dismantle everything."
Adrian flipped through the folder, his jaw tightening with each page. Sophie had reached out to old business contacts, ex-girlfriends, and even distant relatives, collecting every piece of gossip she could find. She was building a weaponized version of his past, designed to destroy him in the public eye.
"What's her endgame?" Adrian asked, his voice cold.
Martin shrugged. "Hard to say. But based on her pattern, I'd guess she wants control. Either you come crawling back to her, or she burns everything down out of spite."
Adrian's fists clenched. "Then we make sure she burns first."
---
The next day, Mia decided to confront Sophie directly. She wasn't sure what she expected, but she knew she couldn't sit back and wait for the next attack.
She found Sophie at a high-end café, sipping a latte as though she didn't have a care in the world. When Sophie spotted Mia approaching, her smile widened.
"Well, well," Sophie drawled. "If it isn't Adrian's latest conquest."
"I'm not here to play games," Mia said, her voice steady. "I want to know why you're doing this. What do you want from Adrian?"
Sophie leaned back in her chair, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "What I want is simple: Adrian. And if you had any sense, you'd step aside and let us be."
"He doesn't love you," Mia said firmly. "You're clinging to something that's been over for years."
Sophie's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. "You think you know Adrian? You think he's told you everything about us?"
Mia met her gaze without flinching. "I know enough to see through you. Whatever you had with Adrian is in the past. It's time you moved on."
Sophie's expression turned icy. "Careful, darling. You're playing a dangerous game."
"So are you," Mia shot back. "And I promise, you won't win."
---
Later that evening, Mia shared the encounter with Adrian.
"You confronted her?" Adrian asked, both impressed and concerned.
"I had to," Mia said. "I couldn't let her keep getting in my head. But she's not going to stop, Adrian. She's obsessed with you."
"I know," Adrian said, his voice grim. "But I have a plan."
He handed her the folder from Martin, explaining everything he had uncovered about Sophie's recent activities.
"She's not just targeting us," Adrian said. "She's trying to destroy my reputation, my business—everything. But now we have evidence. If she keeps pushing, we can fight back."
Mia flipped through the folder, her determination hardening. "Then let's fight. Together."
Adrian smiled, relief washing over him. For the first time in weeks, he felt like they were on solid ground.
---
Unbeknownst to them, Sophie was already preparing her next move. She had underestimated Mia's resolve, but she wasn't about to back down.
In her apartment, she laid out a series of documents, each one more damning than the last. She had connections in the media, people who owed her favors. If she couldn't break Adrian and Mia privately, she would do it publicly.
Sophie's lips curved into a wicked smile as she typed out an email. The subject line read: Exclusive: Adrian Black's Dark Secrets.
She hit send, her heart racing with anticipation.
"This time," she murmured, "the whole world will see the truth."
---
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