Chapter 5

Sophia

Amanda sauntered in as if she owned the place, her eyes scanning the room, wearing that nauseating fake smile I'd grown to hate.

"The front desk receptionist knows me. I just mentioned you might be suicidal, and they handed over the spare key without a second thought." Her smile was sickeningly sweet, making my stomach turn. "People are so easy to manipulate when they think they're saving someone."

A chill ran down my spine. This woman was seriously disturbed. Thank God Lauren would be here soon. Until then, I needed to keep my cool, not let her see I was rattled, and absolutely not let her guess about the baby.

"You're pregnant, aren't you?" Amanda asked abruptly, her eyes piercing into me like knives. "Julianna was worried you might try that old trick. You know it won't work, right?"

Fuck, did she really think I'd use a child as leverage to keep him? "Not pregnant, Amanda," I stared her down, forcing a smile that didn't reach my eyes, my voice ice-cold. "I just want to get the hell out of this place and forget about Blake." I paused, my lips twisting. "You won. Congratulations." Choke on it, you heartless vampire.

Amanda narrowed her eyes, as if trying to excavate some truth from my face. I suddenly remembered when we were "friends," how she'd copied me obsessively—my hairstyle, my clothes, even how I took my coffee, always insisting on half a packet of sugar just like me. Damn, she'd studied me like a lab specimen. Now I finally understood. She'd been planning to replace me all along, probably scheming since our Harvard days.

"I'm heading back to Boston tomorrow," I continued, my tone as casual as if discussing dinner plans. "There's nothing worth staying for in this place." Except a broken heart and a bunch of rich psychopaths.

"Julianna doesn't believe you," Amanda said, examining her perfectly painted nails, "and neither do I. You're just after Blake's money."

Her words stabbed like a knife to my chest. Was she kidding? I had my own career, a Harvard Business School degree—I'd quit my job to help Blake recover his memories! "I never cared about his money," I said through gritted teeth, my voice barely above a whisper. "I loved him."

"Save it." Amanda rolled her eyes with a dismissive snort. "Who wouldn't want to cash in on him? You're nothing special."

"Afraid he'll remember someday?" I glared at her, my words barbed. "Afraid he'll remember our Princeton days? Afraid he'll realize you're just a cheap knockoff?"

Amanda's face drained of color, hardening like stone. "As long as you disappear before he remembers, everything will be fine," she said coldly, her voice dropping to a warning. "After all, accidents can happen to anyone, especially nosy outsiders who don't know their place."

A chill ran down my spine. Was she actually threatening me? This wasn't just intimidation—there was real danger here. For my baby's sake, I swallowed the curses I wanted to hurl at her. I needed to get out of here before this psycho decided to act.

"I'll be gone tomorrow, Amanda," I said with a cold smile, my tone dripping with sarcasm. "I'm not pregnant. Enjoy your 'perfect marriage' with Blake. Hope it's everything you schemed for."

She was about to respond when the door burst open. Lauren charged in, grabbing Amanda's sleeve, her eyes blazing with fury. "How dare you show your face here? You stole everything from her! Get the hell out, you disgusting copycat!"

"It's okay, Lauren," I said quickly, my voice unnaturally calm even to my own ears. "She was just leaving." Thank God Lauren had arrived when she did, stopping me from completely losing it.

Amanda shot me one last glare before turning on her heel and leaving, her stilettos clicking sharply against the floor. The moment she was out, Lauren and I quickly locked the door.

"What was she doing here?" Lauren hugged me tight, her face flushed with anger. "Came to torment you some more?"

"Probably came to gloat," I forced a smile and shrugged. "Making sure I'm really leaving." And threatening me if I don't.

"Come on, have something to eat," I gestured toward the plate of appetizers and champagne on the table, pretending everything was fine. "Tell me about your new job."

Lauren plopped down, grabbed a piece of cheese and stuffed it in her mouth, chewing with vengeful vigor. "That bitch Amanda has skin thicker than a bulletproof vest. And Blake is a blind jackass who deserves to be played like a fiddle." She swallowed, glaring at me. "How can a man be so stupid? Forgetting an amazing woman like you to get engaged to a cheap imitation? Shit, did a donkey kick his brain out?"

I gave a bitter smile. "His brain was scrambled in that accident, Lauren. Amanda seized the opportunity. I tried for two years—took him to where we had our first kiss, showed him our wedding photos, told him the names we'd picked for our children... He treated me like I was delusional."

"Delusional? He's the brainless bastard!" Lauren slammed her hand on the table, making the dishes clatter. "Remember when he was chasing you? Playing guitar outside the Harvard library with that awful voice, and somehow you still fell for it. And now? He makes you sign divorce papers and calls you a liar. He's beyond saving, Sophia. Forget him."

"I'm trying," I said quietly, gripping my wine glass so hard I nearly crushed it, my eyes growing moist. "Tomorrow I'll go back to Boston and start over. Find a job, rent a small apartment, live my life." I didn't mention the baby, worried it would upset Lauren and terrified the information might somehow get back to Amanda.

"Yes! That's the spirit!" Lauren's eyes lit up as she leaned forward, nearly spilling her drink. "Boston is perfect! With your brains, you could go to an investment bank or consulting firm—or better yet, start your own company and crush Sterling Group! Make Blake weep with regret!"

I laughed, genuinely this time, feeling some of the tension in my chest release. "Start my own thing? That does sound exciting. Maybe I should do something big, show them I'm not just some fool chasing memories."

"That's the attitude!" Lauren raised her glass, clinking it against mine so enthusiastically that wine sloshed over the rim. "To you, Sophia, future badass boss! Let Blake and Amanda choke on their regrets!"

I smiled and clinked glasses but didn't drink, my mind drifting far away. This might be the last time I'd share drinks and banter with Lauren as "Sophia Sterling." Tomorrow, I'd be someone new—a mother with a child to protect. I wasn't going to investigate who drugged Blake that night anymore; the truth about that evening didn't matter now. Let them all wallow in their web of lies.

I would go to Boston, my hometown, and find Elizabeth. She would love my child. I would build a new life for my baby—clean, fresh, and far away from these vipers.