SOPHIA'S POV

Finally! The long night came to an end at 6: 45, I had been waiting for this moment for hours. I couldn't sleep a wink last night. I kept seeing lucas' ghost in my dreams asking why I killed him. I was physically tired from all the running I did in the dream.

Thank God it's over. I was thrilled when the first light of day finally began to seep through the windows.

I stretched my muscles and took a deep breath. The morning air was crisp and clean, and I could smell the freshness in the air

As I walked outside, I could hear birds singing their morning songs. The sun was just starting to peek out from behind the trees, so I took a moment to soak up the morning sun before heading inside and headed for the kitchen. I needed to make breakfast and get the kids set for school.

I went to their room to wake them up. I almost didn't. They were so cute asleep, curled up together. I didn't want to disturb them. But it was time to get up. There wasn't enough time to get dressed, clean up, make the beds and and get myself ready too.

"Wake up lovelies, it's time to get ready for school"

"Good morning mom." they greeted in unison.

"Good morning my babies. Sorry I had to wake you but you've got to be in school."

They groped around trying to find the bathroom. It was funny and I couldn't stop the laugh that followed.

"I can't find the bathroom."

"Silly kids, there it is."

I helped them make their beds and then started fixing their breakfast.

While I was setting the table, Lucas came downstairs. He looked fine. Why did he chase me in my dreams then? He was already dressed for work and ready to leave.

"Good morning." I greeted him but got no response. He walked over and sat down.

I'd have loved to pick a fight with him but I was still not over the guilt of last night and I promised myself I was going to be peaceful today so I just ignored his attitude.

Breakfast was toast and eggs and coffee. I made tea for the kids.

"How are you feeling? Does your tummy still ache?" I asked as I served him.

He stopped from doing it. "I am not handicapped. I can serve myself."

I raised my hands in mock surrender. "Okay! You didn't have to be violent about it. I left your drugs on the kitchen counter incase it still hurts."

"I don't need....

He was speaking Aiden and Claire came running down the stairs all dressed and ready to go to school.

"Careful. Don't run I said."

They went over to Lucas and each gave him a kiss in his cheek.

"Good morning dad." they chorused.

"Morning. Ready for school?" he asked smiling.

"Yup!"

"Alrighty! Sit and have breakfast while I go get ready. I'll be down before you finish and drop you at school."

Lucas looked at me. "I don't recall asking you to do that."

"You don't need to. I'm their mother. Plus I have something to handle there." I said looking at Claire and back at Lucas. "You just have breakfast and go to work or do you."

I knew he was going to refute so I hurried up not giving him the chance to say something.

After about thirty minutes, I came down all ready.

"Are we ready to go?"

They nodded picking up their schools back and ran outside.

"Sophia!" Lucas called. His tone of voice suggested he was pissed and I knew why.

"Yes?" I responded feigning ignorance. I turned to face him.

I guess the words stuck cos he didn't say anything. He just looked at me from head to toe. He didn't need to say anything though. I knew he didn't like what I was wearing. It was quite revealing and he obviously wasn't happy with it.

"What?" I asked.

"You can't go out wearing that." he finally said as he turned away from me.

I almost burst out laughing but I kept it in. I am peaceful Sophia today.

"Why?"

"Why? Why? Don't you see it's too-too revealing?"

"I don't see how it's your business what I wear...

" You are my wife! I won't have you go out looking like a slut!" he said, his face turning red.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"You know what it means." He says, standing up from the chair and walking towards me. He grabs my wrists and pins them above my head, pushing my chest against the wall.

"I won't let you go out looking like that!" He says, his breath hot against my neck.

I let out a gasp as I feel his lips on my neck. He pulls me back by the arm and I hear him chuckling.

"Let go of me!" I yell and try to push him off of me. He won't let me go and pulls me closer to him, his grip tight on my arm.

"I said let go!"

"Not until you agree to back in your room and change."

"You're not my dad Lucas!" I shout, struggling against his grip.

"I'm your husband and I'll decide what you wear." He says, tightening his grip on my wrists.

"You can't tell me what to do anymore." I say, stepping on his right foot with my heel.

He grunts, releasing me. His jaw tightened and he clenched his fist by his side. I really did not intend to annoy him today. If only he could just let me be.

"then at least consider the kids. You're there mother and you dropping them off looking like that doesn't speak well....

" Oh! Stop it with the kids talk. It's not like you really care about them. "

"Excuse me? I love and care for my children...

"Then why is the teacher who bully Claire still working there?"

"Bully? What do you mean bully."

"It's just like I expected. You didn't know a teacher bullies Claire. Did you?" I scowl as I see the look of shock on his face.

"That can't be. She'd have told me." he argued.

"Told you? Have you ever been around? When was the last time you spent quality time with the kids?" I ask.

"I.. No...

"Keep it up. You're only giving me more reasons why I should take the kids away...

"Mom?" I heard Claire call out to me.

"Coming." I said. I turned to him. "Don't worry. I've handled it." I said walking out.

"I'm sorry for taking so long. I was talking with your dad." I apologized as I entered the car.

"Did you really mean that?" Claire asked

"Mean what?" I asked confused.

"That you're going to take us from dad."

"You heard?"

She nodded.

I didn't know what to say to her. I only smiled and drove off.

***

"Mrs Lucas....

"It's Sophia Miller." I said interrupting the principal.

Mrs. Sophia, I apologize again for my staff's behavior. I had no idea she was bullying your child. Mrs. Sophia, I want to assure you that I will be taking the appropriate actions to ensure that your child is treated with respect in the future. I hope you will give me a chance to make things right."

"But she reported to you. Didn't she?"

"I'm... I'm so....

"I'm sick of the apologies. If this ever happens again , I'll have this school closed down and amke sure you never work again. You're a sorry excuse for a principal."

"It won't ever happen again. I have fired the teacher in question and also sent out information to the other teachers of our school, so you know that they won't be bullying again."

"I'm glad." I said standing up to leave.

As I exited the office, walking down the hall, I could hear the ohs and ahhs of both teacher and students. One even shouted "I love you so much Sophia Miller".

I was used to the attention.

On reaching the gate, I saw that same teacher standing by my car but she was on the phone and didn't know I was close.

"You didn't tell me she was the daughter Sophia Miller when you asked me to bully her... What that got to do with anything? Do you know what you've caused me? I got fired...Another job? No one would hire a teacher who bullied Sophia Miller's child. You'd better find me another job else I'll tell her everything. Don't dare me, I'm really desperate. I'll only remain jobless, I can go elsewhere here I'm not know a d still find a job but you? Do you know what they'd do to you if they get to find out you're behind it.?

I cleared my throat startling her. She almost threw her phone away in shock.

"Mrs-Mrs Miller....

"You're in my way."

"I know. I wanted to talk to you."

"I'm in a hurry to....

"Please. It won't take long."

I looked at her. I got an Idea.

"I'll only listen to you if you answer me."

"Ask away ma'am."

"Who were you talking to?"

"No one important. Miss Sophia I came to plead...

"I'll have you know that I overheard everything you said and I could get you arrested for this....

"No, no. It hasn't gotten to that. I'll tell you everything but...

The next thing I heard was a loud bang and I saw her crash before me, her blood forming a pool around her body.

I screamed at the horror before me. As soon as I heard the gunshot, i immediately clasped my hands together, shaking.

My hands were shaking so hard that i couldn't even even hold on to my bag, it fell off. The sound of the gunshot echoed in my head, and I had to cover my ears with my hands to drown out the noise.

My stomach was in knots and i couldn't stop shaking. I wanted to run away from the sound, but i knew that i had to stay put.

my stomach started to churn and I felt myself slowly sinking to the ground. My eyes shut and I could feel the familiar darkness creeping in. I felt myself falling and falling, and then, nothing.