Sophia awoke feeling drained and heavy with fatigue. Her eyes remained puffy and red, clear evidence of the tears she had shed throughout the night.

Despite her friends’ presence, she had eventually pushed them away and demanded to be left alone.

Julian was gone… that single thought pierced her with fresh pain.

Even setting that aside, the mere idea of facing her father intensified everything tenfold. She had wounded him deeply, without question.

He had devoted his entire life to her happiness and security, and in return she had brought him this heartbreak.

Julian had advised her to stay calm and allow her father to release his fury if that...