CHAPTER LIV
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“Soph,”
Sophia stopped and turned towards where her name was called, and her eyes met with Saige’s green ones.
A delicate smile appeared on her lips. “Saige, hey,”
It had been three days since they both became friends, and Saige visited the mansion every day to see Sophia. After her online classes, Sophia and Saige would stroll around the compound along with Charlie even though Saige wasn’t a fan of cats. They would discuss a few things, talk about their day and have fun. Saige was a reserved and sophisticated woman, she never really talked while Sophia did most of the talking. She told Saige about how her life had been while growing up. She had left out the part of her nightmares. She wasn’t ready to share that yet.
Maybe she would do that once she was sure their friendship was safe.
Saige took slow, calm steps towards Sophia until she stopped in front of her. “How are you?”
“I’m doing great, “Sophia beamed. “Just finished my online classes,”
“You really do enjoy them, don’t you? “Saige smiled, but something about her smile wasn’t like the other ones she used to give Sophia.
Sophia noticed this, and a frown marred her features. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
Saige gave her a wry smile and looked around the hallway to be sure no one was listening or staring at them before she turned back to Sophia. “Soph, you’re too innocent for our world, and I can’t watch you suffering like this,”
Sophia’s frown deepened. “Is everything alright? Why are you talking about this all of a sudden?”
Saige sighed. “I-,”She looked around again, then back at Sophia. A shaky breath eluded her lips. “I want to help you leave this place,”
Her head felt heavy, her chest constricted, blood rushed to her ears, and her hold on Charlie loosened. Charlie jumped off from her arms and ran off. “What-what do you mean?”
Saige stared at Sophia to gauge her reaction. Her body language gave off the fact that she didn’t want to leave. It scared Saige. Sophia staying there would be her doom because she was already on the verge of losing Chase. Sophia leaving was her only hope.
Sophia leaned against the table by the wall and placed her hands on it. “I-I don’t understand what you mean,”
Saige walked closer and smiled. “Listen, I don’t want to sound selfish but I’m doing this also for myself. If you leave, we’re both going to be on the winning side. You’ll be free from Chase and this life while I-,”She stopped and ran her eyes across Sophia’s face. “I will have him to myself. I love him very much and believe me, it hurts to see him staring at you like that when I should be the one in your place. I hope I don’t sound selfish but that’s just what I feel. And as much as I want Chase to be mine, I want you to gain your freedom and have the right future,”
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Saige cut her off by placing her hands on Sophia’s shoulders. “Your Nana is dead, and you don’t have any reason to stay behind if you’re scared for her,”
Sophia’s eyes widened, and her lips parted. “W-how do you -”
Again, Saige cut her off. “I’m sorry I said it so bluntly. How I found out about your grandma’s death shouldn’t be of any worry to you. All that matters is both our happiness right now, “She dropped her hands from Sophia’s shoulders and held both of her hands in hers’. She hated what she was about to do but it had to be done. She had been contemplating against using Sophia’s innocence and nativity but she finally gave it a positive thought. After all, it wasn’t only for her benefit. Sophia too would thank her for helping. She was also giving the girl a chance to her long-awaited freedom. “We both need to be happy, “Her well-practiced fake tears glistened in her eyes. “I-I won’t be able to handle it if anything happened to you or my future with Chase, “She bit down on her lower lip. “Staying here with Chase would ruin our lives, Soph and as much as I can’t bear to lose this little friendship we’ve had, I can’t also live with the guilt of not being able to save you when I could do that. Chase won’t ever give you the future you want, Soph. He doesn’t have a heart and you don’t deserve someone like that,”
Sophia whispered out. “Do you think you deserve someone like him too?”
Saige held Sophia’s gaze, tightening her hold on her before she dropped her eyes to the ground and sniffed, then shook her head. “I don’t know if I deserve him, Soph,” She then looked back into Sophia’s eyes. “But I won’t be able to live without him. Hats all that matters and your presence here scares the shit out of me. It makes me feel fucking insecure, “A humourless chuckle left her lips and a pained smile danced on her lips. “I’m sorry to say this Sophia but I can’t keep it in any longer. If coming out bare to you will ensure both of our happiness, I’ll do it. Truth is, I-,”She gulped, hearing the wild thumping of her heart because of what she was finally going to confess. “I’m jealous of you, “It wasn’t a lie. She meant it. She meant what she had just said.
During the three days of their friendship, she realised that she tried to deny it so many times. She couldn’t be in denial forever because she knew deep down in her heart she was jealous of Sophia.
Of course, she would be jealous.
A pained laugh threatened to leave her throat. Sophia was much prettier than she was. Saige had always thought men in their world preferred women like she was. She thought they preferred women who had a sense of fashion, women who loved parties and spending money, women who were very beautiful, sophisticated, elegant, rich, fancy and had qualities of women in the higher class society but Chase had proven her wrong with his attraction towards a teenager who didn’t care about parties or fashion.
When Sophia said nothing, that pained laugh that had threatened to leave Saige eluded her lips, and she shook her head, her tears rolling down her cheeks. “It’s funny, right? A woman like me feeling jealous of someone like you. Trust me, that’s how I feel and only you can help me get rid of it. The more you stay behind, the more Chase would slip away from my grasp and-,” She choked a sob. -he won’t see me again. He never acknowledged me but your presence has made it much worse. I’ll kill myself if-,”
Sophia was quick to pull her hands from Saige to palm her mouth to stop her from saying more. “Don’t say such,” She shook her head. “Don’t ever mention killing yourself. I-I’m not worth it, trust me. I’ll feel guilty for your death but-but I’m scared. If I leave, what if he catches me? He- Chase is a powerful man and he-he will be able to find me. He won’t hesitate to kill you just like he did with my friends, “She shook her head vigorously. “I can’t lose you,”
“Then please save us both. Save us both the torture. Get your freedom and give me back my fiance,”
“What if he catches me? Your life will be in danger. He’ll kill you,” Sophia’s voice shook.
She was agreeing to leave. That was good news. Saige shook her head and cupped Sophia’s left cheek. “He won’t find you. I have everything planned out,”