54| Another Confrontation

Heads up! This chapter touches on some heavy stuff like violence and an attempted assault. If that's not something you're comfortable with, feel free to skip it or take a break. Take care of yourself!

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Sophie took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus as she helped the last few customers of the day with their purchases.

It had been over a week since the incident with the loan sharks.

They hadn't come back.

She prayed they had moved on—to someone else, to something else—anything but her.

But the past week had been nothing but constant anxiety. It sat like a heavy weight in her chest, making it hard to breathe.

She was terrified they would come when Lily was around. Or worse—when customers were here—causing a scene, ruining everything.

And she still hadn't told Ethan.

At this point, she was sure he would figure it out soon—that her behavior wasn't just because of acid reflux, that something else was wrong.

She had also been avoiding Mia, dodging every attempt her friend made to check in.

Mia would probably kill her if she knew Sophie still hadn't told Ethan.

Guilt. Fear. Anxiety.

It was no wonder her acid reflux hadn't gone away.

She needed to get a grip.

She felt ridiculous. Mad at herself for acting this way.

Sophie forced a bright smile as she handed a bouquet of roses to a young couple. "Thank you for shopping with us. I hope you have a wonderful evening."

The couple smiled, thanking her before leaving, their fingers intertwined, their faces glowing with happiness.

Sophie inhaled deeply, trying to absorb some of their joy.

She needed it more than ever.

Her eyes flickered toward the clock. Almost closing time.

Lily approached, holding a small basket. "Hey, Soph, I need to run an errand before it gets too late. Do you mind closing up on your own?"

Sophie smiled at her sister, relieved for something normal to focus on. "Of course not, Lily. I can handle it. Go ahead."

Lily hesitated, then nodded. "Thanks, Sophie. I'll close up tomorrow, I promise. Text me if you need anything, okay?"

"I will, don't worry."

Lily gave her a quick hug before heading out, leaving Sophie alone in the shop.

As the door clicked shut, the shop fell into silence—except for the soft hum of the refrigerator keeping the flowers fresh.

Sophie went through the routine of closing, turning off the lights, making sure everything was in order.

The silence was normally comforting.

There was nothing to fear.

Mia was just across the street.

Lucas was only a block away.

So why did she feel so uneasy?

Maybe because Mia had closed early tonight.

Maybe because Lucas was out on a date.

Maybe because for the first time in a long time—she was truly alone.

Which shouldn't be a big deal.

It shouldn't feel like this.

"Get it together, Sophie."

She shook off the unease, forcing herself to focus.

She swept the floor, organized the remaining flowers, tidied up the counter. Each task was a distraction.

A way to keep the fear at bay.

"Everything will be okay," she whispered to herself.

"It has to be."

With the front door locked, she moved to the back room to finish up.

When she reached for her phone, she realized it was dead.

Great.

Sighing, she plugged it in, watching the screen flicker to life.

She just needed a few minutes for it to charge before heading home.

She had just finished her final task when she heard a noise from the front of the shop.

Her heart skipped a beat.

She froze, listening intently.

Another noise—louder this time.

Someone was trying to force the door open.

A surge of fear gripped her, but she forced herself to stay calm.

Her fingers fumbled for her phone, desperate to check if it had enough charge. If she could just get one call out—**to Ethan, to Mia, to anyone—**she didn't care anymore.

But the screen remained black.

Dead.

Her breath came faster.

Just then—

BANG.

The door was shoved open from the outside, the sound reverberating through the shop.

She gasped, her phone slipping from her hands as her eyes widened in terror.

They were back.

The same group of loan sharks forced their way inside.

The leader stepped forward, his imposing figure making the small shop feel suffocating.

"We warned you, didn't we?" he sneered, his voice low, dangerous.

Sophie's heart raced, her mind scrambling for a way out.

"I told you," she said, forcing herself to sound firm even though her voice trembled. "I don't have any more money. Please, just leave me alone."

The man smirked, taking another step closer. "That's not good enough."

The other men spread out behind him, blocking any exit.

Sophie glanced around, realizing how alone and vulnerable she was.

God, I'm so stupid.

Her hands clenched into fists. She had to try to stand her ground. She had to.

"This is harassment," she said, her voice shaking. "I'm going to report you."

The leader laughed, his dark eyes narrowing.

"Go ahead," he taunted. "But remember—you signed the contract. We have all the paperwork. The police won't help you."

Sophie's stomach sank.

She was trapped.

"Look, I'll figure something out," she pleaded, trying to buy herself time. "Just give me more time."

The man's smirk vanished.

"Time's up."

His voice was cold, final.

"You've had enough time. We want our money—now."

"Please," she whispered, tears welling in her eyes. "I don't have it. I really don't."

The leader's grip tightened on her wrist, yanking her closer until his face was just inches from hers. His breath was hot and foul against her skin.

"You think we care about the details?" he sneered.

"If you don't pay up, we'll find other ways to get what we're owed."

No. No. No.

He let go of her wrist and stepped back, gesturing to his men.

"If you don't want to pay us our money, there are other forms of payment we can accept."

His eyes raked over her body, slow, leering—disgusting.

Sophie's stomach twisted.

God, no.

A horrifying numbness washed over her, her body shutting down.

She wanted to fight, to scream, but—

What was the point?

She wondered, for a brief, terrifying second, if she should just check out mentally. Disappear.

She was tired.

Tired of trying.

Tired of surviving.

Nothing ever went her way.

Maybe it was okay to give up sometimes.

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