The temptation of my brother-in-law-Chapter 131 - One Hundred and Thirty-One

Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-One

Sophie’s POV

The next day started the same way.

Driver dropped me off. I walked through the halls alone. Sat in my classes. Avoided eye contact with everyone.

But something was different. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Charlotte and Cameron were there. In the hallways. At lunch. Always watching. Always aware of where I was.

It was weird. Unsettling. I wasn’t used to people paying attention to me unless they were talking shit.

By third period, I’d gotten three texts from Charlotte.

Why are you sitting alone at lunch? Come sit with us.

I ignored them. Kept my head down. Did my usual routine.

But when lunch came, Charlotte wasn’t taking no for an answer.

She walked right up to my corner table. Cameron behind her. Both of them looking like they owned the place.

"You’re sitting with us," Charlotte said.

"I’m fine here."

"That wasn’t a question." She grabbed my tray. Started walking toward the center tables where all the popular kids sat.

"Charlotte. Stop."

"Nope. You’re not sitting alone anymore. It’s depressing."

Cameron pulled out a chair. "Come on, Sophie. Live a little."

I wanted to argue. To go back to my safe corner. But everyone was staring. And Charlotte had already put my tray down.

So I sat.

Immediately, the whispers started. The looks. The judgment.

Why was she sitting there? With the new kids? Did they not know what she did?

I kept my eyes on my food. Tried to ignore it.

"So," Charlotte said loudly. "Sophie was just telling us about the time she broke David Chen’s nose. It was badass."

The table went silent. Everyone stared.

"Charlotte," I muttered. "Don’t."

"Why not? You defended yourself. That’s something to be proud of."

"He’s still in the hospital," someone said. A girl. Jessica something. One of David’s friends.

"Good," Cameron said. "Maybe he’ll learn not to put his hands on people without permission."

"You don’t know what you’re talking about," Jessica snapped. "David didn’t do anything wrong. She overreacted."

"Really?" Charlotte leaned forward. "So if some guy cornered you in a hallway and tried to touch you, you’d just let it happen?"

"That’s not what happened."

"That’s exactly what happened," I said quietly. "He grabbed me. Tried to put his hands under my shirt. So I hit him."

"You broke his nose! You could have killed him!"

"I could have. But I didn’t. I showed restraint."

Cameron laughed. "I like you more and more."

"This isn’t funny," Jessica said. "David is traumatized. His whole life is ruined. And for what? Because she’s violent?"

"Because he’s a predator," Charlotte said. Her voice had gone cold. Sharp. "And predators deserve what they get."

"You don’t even know him!"

"I know enough. I know he’s been accused by three other girls at his old school. I know the only reason he wasn’t expelled then was because his family paid people off. I know he transferred here thinking he could start over. Thinking no one would know."

The table went silent. Everyone stared at Charlotte.

"How do you know that?" Jessica asked.

"Because I did my research. My family has connections. And when I heard about what happened to Sophie, I made some calls. Turns out David Chen has a history. A long history of touching girls without consent. Of thinking he’s untouchable because his family has money."

"That’s a lie."

"Is it? Ask anyone from his old school. Ask the girls he harassed. Ask the ones he assaulted. They’ll tell you exactly who David Chen is."

Jessica’s face went red. "You’re making this up."

"I’m not. And if you don’t believe me, I can send you the receipts. Court documents. Police reports. Complaints that were buried because his family threw money at the problem."

The silence was deafening. Everyone was listening now. The whole cafeteria had gone quiet.

"Sophie did everyone a favor," Cameron said. "She stopped him before he could hurt someone else. And if you have a problem with that, then you’re part of the problem."

Jessica stood up. Grabbed her tray. "Whatever. You’re all crazy."

She left. A few of David’s other friends followed. But most people stayed. Just staring at us.

Charlotte turned to me. "You okay?"

I nodded. Couldn’t speak. My throat was tight. My eyes were burning.

Nobody had ever defended me before. Not like that. Not publicly. Not when it mattered.

Alicia had defended me to the principal. To the school administration. But this was different.

This was in front of everyone. In front of the people who’d been whispering about me. Judging me. Making me feel like I was the problem.

And Charlotte had just destroyed them. Had made them question everything they thought they knew.

"Thank you," I managed.

"Don’t thank me. You didn’t do anything wrong. And anyone who says otherwise can deal with us."

Cameron nodded. "We’ve got your back, Sophie. That’s what friends do."

Friends. The word felt foreign. Strange. But also. Right.

Maybe I did have friends now. Maybe Charlotte and Cameron were the real thing.

The rest of lunch passed in a blur. We talked about normal things. Classes. Teachers. Music. Movies.

Like I was normal. Like I wasn’t the girl everyone feared.

When the bell rang, Charlotte linked her arm through mine. "We’re driving you home today."

"I have a driver."

"Text them. Tell them you have a ride. We want to see where you live anyway."

"Why?"

"Because we’re curious. And because we’re your friends now. Friends know where each other live."

I pulled out my phone. Texted the driver that I had a ride. He responded immediately with an okay and a reminder to be safe.

After school, we walked to their car. The black Mercedes. Cameron got in the driver’s seat. Charlotte took shotgun. I got in the back.

"Where to?" Cameron asked.

I gave him the address. His eyebrows rose.

"The Blackwood estate? Damn. You really do live with them."

"I told you that yesterday."

"Yeah, but hearing it and seeing it are different things."

We drove through the city. Charlotte kept up a constant stream of conversation. About school. About the twins’ old life in New York. About their family.

I mostly listened. Added comments when necessary. But mostly just enjoyed being included.

We pulled up to the mansion gates. The security guard recognized me. Opened the gates immediately.

Cameron whistled. "This is insane. How many people live here?"

"Too many."

We drove up the long driveway. Parked near the entrance.

"You want to come in?" I asked. Not sure why I was offering. But it felt right.

"Next time," Charlotte said. "We have a thing. But we’ll text you later."

"Okay."

I got out. Started walking toward the house.

"Sophie!" Charlotte called.

I turned back.

"You’re not alone anymore. Remember that."

Something in my chest cracked. Just a little. Enough to let some light in.

"Thanks," I said.

They drove away. I stood there for a moment. Processing.

Then I went inside.

Alicia was in the foyer. Sorting through mail. She looked up when she saw me.

"How was school?"

"Fine."

"Just fine?"

"Yeah. Fine."

She studied me. That look she got when she knew something was different. "Did something happen?"

"Made some friends. That’s all."

Her face lit up. Actually lit up. "Really? Sophie, that’s wonderful! Who are they?"

"Just some twins. Cameron and Charlotte. They transferred from New York."

"That’s great. I’m so happy for you."

"It’s not a big deal."

"It is a big deal. You’ve been alone since you got here. Having friends is important."

I shrugged. "I guess."

"Do you want to invite them over sometime? For dinner? I’d love to meet them."

"God, Alicia. You’re so embarrassing. No. I don’t want you to meet them. That’s weird."

"How is that weird? I’m your sister. It’s normal for me to meet your friends."

"It’s not normal. It’s you trying to control everything like always."

"I’m not trying to control anything. I’m trying to be supportive."

"Well, don’t. I can handle my own life."

"Sophie."

"What? You want me to be grateful? Fine. Thanks for bringing me here. Thanks for saving me from Robert. Thanks for everything. But that doesn’t mean you get to micromanage my life."

"I’m not micromanaging. I’m just asking about your day."

"No. You’re trying to insert yourself into every part of my life because you feel guilty. But you don’t have to. I’m fine. I can take care of myself."

"I know you can. But you’re seventeen. You’re still a kid."

"I’m not a kid. Stop treating me like one."

I pushed past her. Headed for the stairs.

"Sophie. Wait."

"I have homework."

I went to my room. Closed the door. Leaned against it.

Why had I snapped at her? Alicia hadn’t done anything wrong. She was just being Alicia. Caring. Protective. Trying to make sure I was okay.

But sometimes it was too much. Sometimes I needed space. Needed to breathe. Needed to figure things out on my own.

My phone buzzed. Text from Charlotte.

Your sister seems nice. We saw her through the window. Very concerned-looking.

I smiled despite myself.

She’s overprotective.

That’s what big sisters are for. Mine is the same way.

Is it annoying?

Extremely. But also kind of nice. Means someone cares.

I stared at that last message. Means someone cares.

Yeah. I guess it did.

I put my phone down. Started on my homework. But my mind kept drifting.

To Charlotte and Cameron. To lunch. To the way they’d defended me without hesitation.

To Alicia downstairs. Probably worried. Probably wondering if she’d said something wrong.

Maybe I’d apologize later. Maybe.

Or maybe I’d just let it sit. Let her wonder. Let myself have this one moment of teenage rebellion.

Either way, today had been different. Better.

And for the first time since coming to this mansion, I felt like maybe. Just maybe. Things might actually be okay.