Chapter 4 - The Mistress Makes Her First Move|
Sophia Reynolds had never believed she would remain a mistress forever.
She had grown up watching wealthy women enter charity galas with diamonds around their throats and influential men at their sides. She had learned early that beauty could open doors, but money kept them open.
Adrian Moretti had been the greatest opportunity of her life.
He had bought her a penthouse overlooking the river, a car that cost more than her parents' house, and jewelry she wore only when she knew photographers would be present.
He had also promised her a future.
Not in writing.
Not with a date.
But he had said Claire's marriage was already dead.
Sophia had believed him because believing him was convenient.
Now Claire had given birth, and Adrian was behaving like a man whose world had shifted beneath his feet.
“You need to stop obsessing over Claire,” Sophia told him.
Adrian stood at the bar in his office, untouched whiskey in front of him.
“I'm not obsessing over her.”
“You've spent the entire morning calling the hospital.”
“She's the mother of my child.”
“And I'm the woman you chose.”
He turned slowly.
“Don't make me regret that sentence.”
Sophia stiffened.
“You told me she was only staying because she wanted your money.”
“I said a lot of things.”
“Were they lies?”
Adrian did not answer.
Sophia's face flushed.
“You can't just throw me away because your wife finally decided to leave.”
“My wife didn't decide to leave this morning. She decided months ago. I was too arrogant to notice.”
The admission frightened Sophia more than his anger.
She had expected him to threaten Claire, buy her silence, or drag her back into the marriage.
Instead, Adrian looked like a man beginning to understand the consequences of his own choices.
Sophia went home and called her father, Richard Reynolds, a corporate attorney with connections to several Moretti businesses.
“He's changing,” she said.
“Men like Adrian don't change. They become cautious when they believe they're losing control.”
“He wants Claire back.”
“Then make certain he understands what returning to Claire will cost him.”
Sophia hesitated.
“What do you mean?”
Richard lowered his voice.
“The financial documents Claire signed when they married. If those papers are valid, she may have access to information that could damage the organization.”
Sophia sat up.
“What information?”
“Enough to make powerful people nervous.”
She remembered Adrian's habit of keeping files in a locked study and his anger whenever anyone touched his desk.
“Can we get them?”
“We don't need the originals if we can prove she had access to them.”
Sophia's pulse quickened.
“And if she refuses to cooperate?”
Richard was silent for a moment.
“Then we make her believe cooperation is the safest option.”
That evening, Sophia sent Claire a message from an unfamiliar number.
Congratulations on the baby. I hope she's healthy. Adrian deserves to know his daughter. Don't let anger destroy a child's future.
Claire read it once, then showed Eleanor.
Her mother shook her head.
“She thinks she can lecture you about motherhood?”
Claire blocked the number.
Then another message arrived.
You don't know what your husband has hidden from you. Ask him about the trust.
Claire's smile disappeared.
She called Daniel Price immediately.
“Someone is trying to frighten me into discussing the financial documents.”
“Save every message,” he said. “Do not respond.”
Claire looked at Grace, sleeping peacefully in her bassinet.
Sophia had made one mistake.
She had assumed Claire was too heartbroken to notice a threat.
May you like
But heartbreak had not made Claire foolish.
It had made her pay attention.
