Chapter 73

Chapter 73 Sophia barely reacted in time. The newcomer slammed into her, shoving her back several steps until her spine met the stair railing with at painful jolt. Ignoring her gasp, he grabbed her arm and yanked her upright. “Sophia, listent I need your help. Ten million dollars, or I’m toast!”

Lucas, her good–for–nothing older brother, was a casino regular. He’d burned through their father Corey’s life savings and racked up a mountain of debt. If it wasn’t for Jason constantly bailing him out, Lucas would be six feet under.

Sophia stared at him, a mix of surprise and pain trembling in her eyes. Ten million? That was life–changing money for most people. What right did he have to demand it? “Eric said Jason cleared your sixteen–million gambling debt five days ago. What happened to all that money?”

Lucas squirmed under her gaze, mumbling incoherently for a long time. Frustration bubbled over. “Who cares about details? I’m in trouble now, sis! Don’t you have a responsibility to help family?”

Sophia fought to break free, putting distance between them. She was done. They were like leeches, sucking her dry and still wanting more. Always claiming to be “dying,” but somehow, she was the one hanging on by a thread. “I shouldn’t be your ATM anymore. You need to find another way out.”

She turned away, gazing out the window at the snowy scene. The house was warm, but a bone–chilling cold seeped into her.

She felt hollowed out, incapable of meeting their endless demands.

Lucas wasn’t done yet. He lunged back at her, clamping down on her wrist. His eyes burned with a desperate hunger. “The Taylors raised you for twenty years! Now you’re living high and mighty, isn’t it your duty to help your own? Ten million now, or I’ll make your life a living hell!”

Sophia studied his handsome face, distorted with greed. Strangely, her anger dissipated, replaced by a wave of pity and disgust.

“Did you know Dad’s in jail?”

Lucas blinked, surprised for a second. He had been too busy dodging loan sharks to worry about the old man. “Jail?”

Sophia met his bewildered gaze with a bitter smile. ‘He doesn’t even know! How can he have such a black heart?” she thought.

‘Mom’s coddling ruined him.”

“Go home, Lucas,” she said, “The Taylors need you now. You’re the eldest son, it’s your responsibility.”

Lucas scoffed at the news of his father’s imprisonment. There wasn’t a hint of concern on his face. “Good riddance, saves me money on his meds. Enough for a few more bets. Maybe better if he stays locked up forever. Less dead weight to drag around.”

“Get out!” Sophia’s hand shot out, connecting with a loud slap across his face. How could he be so heartless? To save her father, she’d sacrificed everything, even her dignity. Lucas cursed his own father like that? Didn’the fear karma?

Lucas, already fuming from the slap, exploded. He swung his arm back, aiming a vicious blow at her face. Sophia instinctively tried to dodge, but the railing blocked her escape. Trapped, she could only watch as his hand, fueled by pure rage, came crashing down towards her. This time, he meant to hurt her bad.