4

Chapter 4

The next morning, I woke to an empty house.

Alexander had left before dawn—unusual, but not unwelcome. It gave me time to make arrangements without his sharp instincts picking up on my anxiety.

I drove to a storage unit across town and moved most of my important belongings there. Research journals, family photos, the few things that mattered. Everything else could stay.

Alexander could burn it for all I cared.

Rachel texted around noon: Coffee? You've been weird lately.

I met her at our usual café off-campus, trying to act normal while my entire world was about to shift.

"Okay, spill," Rachel demanded, stirring her latte. "What's going on? And don't say 'nothing' because I've known you too long for that."

"I'm leaving," I said quietly. "The Zurich position. I accepted it."

Her eyes went wide. "Holy shit. When?"

"Tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? Sophia, that's—" She lowered her voice. "Does Alexander know?"

"He will soon enough."

Rachel leaned back, studying me. "You're actually doing it. You're leaving one of the most powerful men in Seattle."

"I'm leaving a bad marriage," I corrected. "The power part is irrelevant."

"Not to him it won't be." She bit her lip. "Sophia, be careful. When men like that feel their control slipping..."

"I know." I'd seen what happened to business partners who tried to leave Sterling Enterprises without permission. The lawsuits. The destroyed reputations. "But I'm not under contract anymore. The divorce was finalized yesterday."

Rachel's coffee cup hit the table with a bang. "You divorced him? Actually divorced him?"

"He signed the papers." A bitter smile. "Didn't even read them."

"Jesus." She shook her head in amazement. "You're either the bravest or craziest person I know."

"Probably both."

We sat in silence for a moment.

"I'll miss you," Rachel said finally.

"I'll miss you too."

"Text me when you land?"

"Promise."

Back at the estate, I found Victoria lounging by the pool. She looked up when I approached, a satisfied smile playing on her lips.

"Sophia. Alexander's been looking for you."

"I'm sure he has."

"He's very upset about you missing the family obligations." She lowered her sunglasses. "He asked me to help plan a special dinner tomorrow night. Major announcement and all that."

The event. The announcement.

"How nice for you," I said evenly.

"It will be." Victoria sat up, water droplets sliding down her tanned skin. "You should wear something appropriate. It's a special occasion."

"I'll keep that in mind."

I turned to leave, but her voice stopped me.

"Sophia? You really should be there tomorrow. Alexander specifically requested your presence."

I looked back at her. This woman who'd slithered into my life, who'd taken my place piece by piece while I'd been too numb to fight.

"I'll be there," I lied smoothly.

Her smile widened. "Perfect."

That evening, Alexander returned late. I heard him moving around downstairs, heard Victoria's voice joining his.

I stayed in our bedroom with the door locked.

Around midnight, he tried the handle.

"Sophia."

I didn't answer.

"Sophia, open the door."

Silence.

"Fine." His footsteps retreated. "We'll talk tomorrow. After the event."

I waited until the house went quiet before I allowed myself to breathe.

One day.

Just one more day.

I pulled up my flight confirmation. 2:00 PM departure from SeaTac. By the time Alexander's "special event" started at 6:00 PM, I'd be over the Atlantic.

My phone buzzed with an email from Dr. Laurent:

Looking forward to your arrival, Sophia. Your apartment is ready, and I've arranged for a colleague to collect you from the airport. Welcome to your new life.

New life.

The words made my chest tight.

I replied: Thank you. I'll see you soon.

Then I turned off my phone.

Tomorrow morning, I'd leave it behind—SIM card destroyed, location tracking ended. I'd bought a burner phone that couldn't be traced.

Alexander was powerful, but even his resources had limits.

And Switzerland was very, very far away.

I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, listening to the house settle around me.

This was my last night as Sophia Sterling.

Tomorrow, I'd become someone new.

Someone free.