I called Keira next. She answered on the first ring.
“Hey, how are you feeling?” She asked.
“They took him.” I said frantically into the phone. “They just took him. I don’t know what to do.”
“Slow down, who took who?”
“Stefan.” I sat down on the chair in the living room. “They just arrested him.” I exhaled, forcing myself to stop crying.
“Wait, what? Why?”
“I don’t know. His Nan won’t answer the phone. His father is in jail. I sure as hell am not calling Thomas.” I breathed in. “What do I do? He’s gone.”
“Leo and I will be there in twenty minutes.”
Right on time they showed up twenty minutes later. They both walked in, Keira rushed up to me. Leo was on the phone.
“Are you ok?” She asked, as she sat next to me. I had moved to the sofa now.
“I don’t care about me right now.”
“Leo is on the phone trying to figure out what’s happening.” She tried to reassure me. “He knows people that might be able to tell him.”
He ended his phone call, walking over to the chair with a glum face. “It’s not good.”
“What happened?” I asked.
“They brought him in for questioning. They’re holding him. He might have something to do with his father’s charges. They’re going to arrest Thomas too.”
Keira’s mouth dropped open.
I stared blankly at Leo.
“Stefan wouldn’t do that.” Keira spoke up.
Leo shook his head, “The guys say his father is singing like a bird.”
“That cowardly bastard would.” I whispered. “I don’t believe anything that man says.”
“I think we all agree on that.” Leo said.
They stayed with me for a few hours. Stefan’s Nan never called. While they were there I changed out of my dress, showered, and put on lounge clothes. I wasn’t expecting myself to leave the house until I found out what was happening to Stefan.
They eventually left late in the afternoon. No one was giving Leo an update. He told me it would be a while until we hear anything. They told me they would check on me in the morning and update me if they heard anything.
I went upstairs after they left and curled up on Stefan’s bed, clutching the white duvet. He didn’t do anything, he’s not that person, I kept telling myself. The feeling of hate towards Thomas had been pushed to the back of my mind. I just wanted to know that Stefan was going to get out of this.
Stefan
The investigator driving spoke into his phone stating that they had me in custody. I kept my mouth shut. I looked out the window as the city drifted by. The image of Sophia breaking down, panic on her face, it was eating me alive. She’s the first and probably the only woman I will ever love and my family destroyed her. My life broke her. My chest was tightening again, my eyes became blurry, I clenched my jaw, closing my eyes tight. A rogue tear fell, and I took in a deep breath.
When they let me out of the car, they brought me into the building through a back door. Another cop that was waiting patted me down; removing my phone, keys, and wallet. They then escorted me into an empty room with just a table and chair. A two way mirror was facing me. My hands were still cuffed. I wasn’t expecting them to un-cuff me any time soon. I looked around the empty room wondering if this is where they brought my father.
The door opened, and I sat back in the hard chair. Olivia Greenberg appeared. She waved off the officer to stop following her. She walked over and sat across from me.
“They said you came willingly.” She spoke.
“Of course.”
“This is just routine. Your father was in the process of trying to pin his charges on you. Your name is on some of the documents. I believe it’s why he was so adamant about you joining the company and taking over. It had to happen.”
I remained silent. I was still pissed about how she executed the process. It was nothing like what we talked about. It was supposed to be quiet, not public. But she wanted a show. I’m sure it was a warning to anyone else, but I was still pissed she used my family as the guinea pig.
“I have nothing to do with my father’s embezzlement.” I said calmly.
“We know, but they need information.”
I laughed, “More than I have already given you?”
“They want to ask you questions.”
“Fine.”
“You won’t be punished for your father’s wrong doings. I promise you that.”
I stared at her, not responding again.
“On the positive side, the contract you and Miss Donahue signed will be brought into question. We will make it void.”
She was trying to tell me something that I wanted to hear, but what she didn’t know was that I couldn’t go back to Sophia after this.
Two days later I was released from their custody. My lawyer came both days, staying for most of the duration I was there. From what I told them, they assured me that I wouldn’t see jail time at all. I did however have to testify against my father and brother in court.
Tim picked me up from the station. He greeted me with a nod, and started to drive.
“Have you spoken to Sophia?” I asked him.
“Not since the ballet.”
I looked out the window.
“I drove her to Mr. Van Doren’s that night.”
My head snapped up in his direction, “You did what?”
“Her safety is just as important as yours. She needed to be safe from your brother.”
I stared at him, knowing he was speaking the truth. It didn’t make me like the fact that she stayed the night at Tristen’s any less.
“She told you about what Thomas did?” I asked.
“She did.”
“Does she know about your family?”
“She does. I think that is why she told me.”
“He hid his tracks.” I looked out the window again.
“They always do.”
He looked at me through the mirror, “Would you like me to take you home?”
I thought about it for a moment. I can’t put Sophia through this any longer. I refuse to destroy the one person I love.
“No, I don’t think I will return to that house any time soon.” I said as much as it pained me. I felt like a part of me was dying. I was losing her by my own choice, because I love her.
Chapter Twenty
Sophia
Two days. It had been two days since Stefan had been arrested. I woke up Monday morning for work with the same sick feeling as yesterday. I wish I could talk to him. Leo couldn’t get any more information out of what was happening with Stefan, so I stopped asking.
The sound of Stefan telling me he didn’t love me anymore was replaying in my head over and over again. Was he trying to push me away? Was it because of Tristen? I had to believe he was trying to protect me.
I put on my blue dress and locked up the brownstone. I stared at the handle, wondering what if he comes home while I’m at work? No, I can’t think like that.
Kevin smiled at me when I got off of the elevator. I’m sure he had heard by now. It was all over the news. Eventually Thomas and Stefan’s faces were plastered on the screen right along with their father. There was a video of Thomas being arrested. The mark where I hit him with the stapler was shining brightly. It brought a small spout of satisfaction to me.
“Hey, Soph.” Kevin stood from his desk.
“Hi.”
“I heard what happened this weekend.”
I sighed. “Yeah, I don’t know how long I will make it today.”
“This might be a dumb question, but have you been able to talk to him?”
“No, all I know is what the news is saying. No one has called me.”
“It’s pretty brutal. I’m sorry you’re going through this.”
“Me too.”
The day drug on. I barely did anything at work, I couldn’t pay attention. I still didn’t understand why Stefa
n’s Nan hasn’t returned any of my calls. It was unlike her.
I sat outside on a bench during my lunch break. I didn’t feel like eating. The sky was clear blue today, causing everyone to be in a good mood. You know when your world feels like it’s crumbling, and everyone is in a good mood, it really irritates the crap out of you.
My phone started vibrating. I looked down to see Keira calling.
“Hello?”
“Hey.” She sounded upbeat. “What are you doing?”
“I’m on my lunch break.”
“Ok, awesome. You can talk.”
“About what?”
“Stefan, has been released. He was released this morning around 7.”
My heart fluttered when she said it. “Are you serious?”
“Yes, Leo said Stefan isn’t being charged.”
“Has he talked to him?”
“Yeah, about thirty minutes ago.” She paused. “Has he called you?”
“No.”
“He’s probably trying to sort some things out. Leo didn’t speak to him for long.”
“Do you know if he went home?”
“No I don’t. I wish I could tell you more, but that’s all Leo told me. He didn’t answer when I called him.”
“Ok.”
“Soph?”
“Yes?”
“This is good news. Sound more excited!”
“He hasn’t called me, Keira. Why hasn’t he called me?”
“I’m sure he’s busy. Have faith.”
“Ok.” I sighed. “I need to get going. My break is over.”
“Bye.” She said warmly.
My heart was still heavy. He’s been out for five hours. Why hasn’t he called? He will come home. He has too. I stared up at my office building. I couldn’t go back up there knowing Stefan was released.
I called Kevin letting him know what was going on. He agreed and thought I should go home too. He told me he would let our boss know.
When I got to the front door, I was so nervous to open it. I called out his name as I searched all five stories for him. He wasn’t there. I pulled out my phone to call him. He didn’t answer. My heart was sinking further. He will come home, he has too.
It was 9PM now. Stefan still had not shown. I was sitting on the sofa with my knees to my chest in my pajamas staring at the front door. One of the loneliest feelings is when you’re waiting on someone who never shows. Every car that would drive by, a small feeling of hope would surface, and then I would sink even further into the sofa as it passed.
Tears would come and go. I tried to call him multiple times. He was choosing not to answer. Which was breaking my heart. Maybe he did mean it, when he told me he didn’t love me anymore? I was still refusing to believe it.
My phone started vibrating, I looked down. It was Keira again.
“Hey.” This time she sounded glum.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m at home. Answer me, what’s wrong?”
“Soph, Stefan isn’t coming home.”
Her simple words shot my heart straight to hell, “Wait, why?”
“I don’t know. He needs space.”
My hands were shaking, “Needs space? Why won’t he just talk to me?” The tears were returning.
“A lot has happened to him. Just give it time.”
“I’m losing him, Keira. I feel it in every inch of my body. I need to talk to him.”
She didn’t reply.
“I can’t do this without him. I love him, Keira. I love him.” My voice sounded so pitiful even to my ears.
“I know you love him.” She said sympathetically. “I’m sure he will come back around once he gets his head straight. He has to testify against his family.”
I wiped tears from my face, “He’s not coming back around, Keira. He’s shutting me out.”
“I don’t know how to help you through this, Soph.” Her voice was sad.
I curled up on my side, “I don’t think anyone can help me.”
“Are you going to be ok tonight?”
I didn’t want to talk anymore. “I need to go.” I hit end, and tossed my phone on the floor.
“He’s not coming home.” I whispered, closing my eyes tightly. The tears came and went. My heart was shattered. He’s in this city and doesn’t want to see me. What did I do to deserve this? I don’t even know where to find him even if I tried to look for him.
Eventually I fell asleep on the sofa; waking up with a pain in my back. I forced myself to shower, checking my phone every ten minutes. There was still a small amount of hope living in me.
I called Tim. He didn’t answer. Keira checked on me again. The night came, the loneliness set back in.
Another day passed. I returned to work. I kept checking my phone every ten minutes. The day ended and I returned to an empty house.
Joe called me. He had not spoken to him, but wanted to make sure I was ok.
Days three, four, and five were all the same. People checking on me. Empty house. Loneliness returning every night. It had been a week now since I saw Stefan being shoved into the blacked out SUV. His Nan was still MIA, at least from me.
My emotions were like a rollercoaster over the past week. I couldn’t stand it anymore. It was 8PM Saturday night. He didn’t even try to reach out to me. My heart was broken, but I was angry now. If he doesn’t want to come see me, then I’m going to force him to talk to me. He will not end us without even an I’m sorry.
He has to be at his parents' penthouse. Unless he went out and bought another apartment, or is staying in a hotel. The thought came to me a few days ago, but I was still filled with hope that he would come home. Now all the hope in me had left.
I was standing in front of his parents' penthouse building. Even if I am able to talk to him, I wasn’t sure what I was going to say. I took in a deep breath as I walked into the building with my head held high.
“Hello, how may I help you?” The woman at the front desk smiled.
“Is Stefan Edwards here? I’ve left my keys at work, and he has my spare.” I lied. I had to give them something to go off of, or they wouldn’t tell me.
“He is. He arrived about an hour ago. Let me buzz him.” She reached for her phone.
“No, I can just go up. Don’t go through the trouble.”
She stared at me, “I’m sorry I have to buzz him. You cannot go up without permission from the tenant.”
I bit the side of my cheek, as she dialed a number.
“Hello, Sir. I have a…” She put her hand on the receiver to cover her mouth. “What’s your name dear?” She whispered.
“Sophia Brooks.”
She smiled at me, “I have Sophia Brooks here to see you.” She listened intently. Her warm face disappeared. She looked up at me with worry in her eyes. “Oh I see. Sorry to bother you.” She hung up the phone.
“Can I go get my key now?” I asked, knowing what she was going to say.
She folded her hands in front of her on the desk, “I’m sorry. Mr. Edwards is not taking visitors at the moment.”
“I need to see him, please. Can you call him again?”
“I’m sorry no, he asked for me to not bother him again.”
I laughed, “Are you kidding me?” I snapped.
“I’m sorry, I’m not.” She said in the same tone.
I huffed, “You can take your I’m sorry and shove it up your ass.” This self entitled prick is refusing to see me. “I’m going to see him.” I snapped at her again, and stormed off towards the elevator.
“I can’t let you do that!” She yelled after me, snapping her fingers towards the guards at the front door.
They grabbed me just before I reached the elevator. “Don’t touch me!” I tried to kick my way out of their grasp, but they were extremely strong. “Let me go!” I cried out. “Let me fucking go!”
“Please calm down.” One of the burly men said to me.
“I need to see him! Call
him again!” I yelled at the front desk lady. “You don’t understand!”
“The next call I make is to the cops, if you do not leave the premises.” She said firmly.
I shot her a death stare, my eyes were watering up.
They set me down outside in front of the building. I was whimpering with tears by now. I stared up at the tall guarded cage he was in. If he was trying to make a point, he just made it very clear.
“Fuck you, Stefan!” I screamed at the building.
Stefan
I poured myself a whiskey, and sat down on one of the white sofas in my parents living room. I kept trying to process what my plans were. I didn’t understand them fully myself. I felt like shit.
I finally talked to my Nan. Apparently I wasn’t the only one working with Olivia. It’s part of why she disappeared the night of my father’s arrest. They reached out to my Nan halfway through working with me. Eventually with the help of my Nan, they were able to break my Mum. Solidifying their ability to bring down my father and brother. Which is why she was so intoxicated that night.
The buzzer for downstairs started going off. I looked back. My Mum wasn’t home yet. I stood to go answer it, bringing my drink with me.
My chest tightened when I saw the front desk in the security camera. My sweet girl was standing there staring down the girl at the front desk. Fuck.
I tapped the touch receiver, “Yes?”
“Hello Sir, I have a…” It went silent. “I have Sophia Brooks here to see you.”
No, Baby. Why did you come here? I exhaled, “I’m not taking any visitors. Please do not let her up.”
“Oh I see. Sorry to bother you.”
The call ended.
I kept my eyes on the video of Sophia. I watched as she waved her hands around. Fuck. She’s becoming upset. She started storming towards the lifts. The two guards rushed up grabbing both of her arms. If they fucking hurt her…she’s kicking, trying to break free. Come on Baby just leave. Please just leave.
And just like that she was out of view from the camera. Watching that was like taking a knife to the heart. All I wanted to do was hold her, but I couldn't. My anger started returning.
“I can’t fucking stand this!” I threw my glass against the wall. “Fuuuuck!” I yelled into my hands, as I covered my face.
Until Him: Book 3 - Until Then Series Page 13
