Chapter 4: The Woman Who Suddenly Remembered How to Love Him
Sophia spent the entire weekend staring at her phone.
Marcus hadn't answered a single message.
She had called him eleven times, sent seventeen texts, and even driven past his old apartment twice.
Nothing.
On Sunday evening, she sat in Adrian's luxury penthouse, wearing a silk robe and scrolling through photographs from their graduation day.
In one picture, Marcus was kneeling in front of her with the engagement ring.
Sophia zoomed in on his face.
She remembered how confidently he had looked at her before she rejected him. She remembered the expensive black sedan, the suited assistant, and the way Adrian's expression had changed when he discovered Marcus had acquired his father's company.
For the first time, she wondered whether she had misunderstood the man she had dated for seven years.
Adrian emerged from the bathroom, drying his hair with a towel.
"Why are you looking at that picture?""
Sophia immediately locked her phone.
"Nothing.""
"Was that Marcus?""
She sighed.
"Yes.""
Adrian threw the towel onto a chair.
"Why are you still thinking about him?""
"Because he hasn't answered me.""
Adrian laughed bitterly.
"Maybe he's finally smart enough to stay away.""
Sophia frowned.
"Don't you think we should be careful?""
"Careful about what?""
"His company owns your father's company now.""
Adrian walked toward the kitchen and poured himself a glass of whiskey.
"Temporary situation.""
"Your father said he controls the board.""
"That doesn't mean anything.""
"Adrian, he can fire you.""
Adrian slammed the glass onto the counter.
"Would you stop talking about Marcus?""
Sophia flinched.
He took a breath and lowered his voice.
"Listen, sweetheart. You're starting Monday. Once you're inside the company, everything will be fine. Your position is important, and your qualifications are good.""
Sophia hesitated.
"Marcus knows about my position.""
"So?""
"He specifically told you to tell me to report on Monday.""
Adrian looked at her.
"Then go. If he wants to play games, we'll play them too.""
Sophia returned to her phone.
She opened Marcus's contact and typed another message.
I know I hurt you. But seven years can't just disappear. Please, let me explain.
She stared at the words before pressing send.
This time, she added a photograph of the two of them from their third anniversary.
It showed Marcus holding her hand beneath a restaurant's outdoor lights.
She remembered that night.
He had saved for months to take her to an expensive restaurant. She had complained that the place wasn't fashionable enough.
He had simply smiled and promised to take her somewhere better after she graduated.
She had forgotten that promise.
Now she couldn't stop thinking about it.
Monday morning arrived.
Sophia stepped into the lobby of Mitchell Development Group wearing a cream designer suit, black heels, and a handbag she had purchased with Adrian's help.
The receptionist smiled.
"Good morning. May I help you?""
"I'm Sophia Brooks. I'm here to start my position in corporate relations.""
The receptionist checked her computer.
"Of course, Ms. Brooks. Your supervisor is expecting you.""
Sophia smiled.
"Wonderful.""
She walked toward the elevators, imagining the corner office she hoped to earn within a year.
But when the elevator doors opened on the executive floor, she noticed something strange.
Several employees were carrying boxes.
A woman hurried past with a stack of documents.
Two department managers were speaking in hushed voices near the conference room.
Sophia approached the nearest employee.
"Excuse me. Is something happening?""
The woman looked up.
"New management restructuring.""
Sophia frowned.
"Already?""
"Mr. Reed wants to review every department.""
Sophia felt her stomach tighten.
"Mr. Reed?""
"Yes. The new owner.""
Before she could ask another question, a familiar voice came from behind her.
"Ms. Brooks?""
She turned.
Daniel Hayes stood near the elevator.
"Good morning," he said politely.
"Mr. Reed is expecting you.""
Sophia forced a smile.
"Of course. Is Marcus here?""
Daniel gave her a professional look.
"Mr. Reed is in the main conference room.""
He led her down a hallway.
Sophia adjusted her jacket.
"Daniel, can I ask you something?""
"Certainly.""
"Is Marcus really as wealthy as people say?""
Daniel stopped outside the conference room.
"That depends on what people say.""
She gave a nervous laugh.
"I mean, I had no idea.""
"Most people who work with Mr. Reed don't know his financial position until they need to.""
Sophia swallowed.
"Does he still talk about me?""
Daniel opened the door.
"That's something you should ask him.""
Inside, Marcus sat at the head of a long conference table.
He wore a perfectly fitted charcoal suit, a white shirt, and a simple silver watch.
There was no dust on his clothes.
No cement on his boots.
His hair was neatly styled, and his expression was composed.
Sophia stopped walking.
For several seconds, she simply stared.
It was Marcus.
But this was a version of him she had never seen.
"Good morning, Sophia," he said.
She recovered quickly.
"Good morning, Marcus.""
He gestured toward the chair opposite him.
"Please sit.""
She placed her handbag beside the chair.
"Thank you.""
Marcus opened a folder.
"Your employment offer lists your position as Director of Corporate Relations.""
Sophia nodded.
"Yes. Adrian told me the company needed someone with my academic background.""
"Interesting.""
"What?""
"Your résumé lists one internship and no professional management experience.""
Sophia shifted in her chair.
"I graduated with honors.""
"I can see that.""
"And I have excellent communication skills.""
"That's good.""
He turned another page.
"Who interviewed you?""
Sophia hesitated.
"Adrian.""
"Was there an independent hiring panel?""
"I don't think so.""
"Was the position publicly advertised?""
"No.""
Marcus closed the folder.
"Then we'll have to review the recruitment process.""
Sophia's smile disappeared.
"Are you saying I'm not qualified?""
"I'm saying everyone should be evaluated fairly.""
She leaned forward.
"Marcus, please. We don't need to make this personal.""
He looked at her calmly.
"I'm not.""
Sophia lowered her voice.
"I know things ended badly between us, but I hope you don't think I'm here because of Adrian.""
Marcus studied her face.
"Why are you here, Sophia?""
"Because this is a good opportunity.""
"Only that?""
She looked down.
"Marcus, I made a mistake.""
He didn't respond.
"I was under pressure. Graduation was overwhelming. Adrian was there, and I thought—"
"You thought I wasn't good enough.""
Her eyes filled with tears.
"I didn't mean those words.""
"You said them in front of hundreds of people.""
"I'm sorry.""
Marcus leaned back.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Sophia reached across the table.
"Can we start over?""
Marcus looked at her hand.
"Professionally, we can start with an evaluation.""
She slowly withdrew it.
"And personally?""
"Personally, I think seven years deserves honesty. Something I didn't receive from you.""
Sophia blinked.
Before she could answer, the conference room door opened.
Adrian walked inside.
He looked directly at Sophia, then at Marcus.
"What is she doing here?""
Marcus remained seated.
"She's attending her scheduled employment meeting.""
Adrian turned toward Sophia.
"Didn't I tell you to wait for me?""
Sophia frowned.
"You told me to come to work.""
Adrian ignored her.
He placed a document on the table.
"Mr. Reed, we need to discuss my position.""
Marcus glanced at the document.
"Then sit down.""
Adrian remained standing.
"I won't take orders from you.""
Marcus slowly closed his folder.
"Then perhaps we should begin by discussing your termination review.""
Adrian's face turned red.
And before he could respond, Daniel entered carrying another folder.
"Mr. Reed," he said, "the auditors found something in the company's records. Something involving both Mr.
Mitchell and Ms. Brooks.""
Sophia's heart began racing.
"What does that mean?""
Daniel placed the folder in front of Marcus.
"It appears their relationship may have involved more than we originally understood.""
Marcus opened the first page.
His expression became unreadable.
May you like
Then he looked at Sophia.
"Would you like to explain these payments?""
