KOTLC, SOKEEFE OR FITZPHIE?

Part 6

Sophie's POV

The garden at Havenfield was supposed to be a place of peace, but tonight it felt like a stage for unresolved conflicts. I wandered through the familiar paths, seeking solace but feeling an undercurrent of unease. The recent chaos with Fitz had left me on edge, and I hoped the quiet would help me sort through my emotions.

As I approached a secluded part of the garden, I saw Fitz standing there, leaning against a stone bench. His face was shadowed but still visible in the moonlight. He looked up as I approached, a conflicted expression on his face.

"Sophie," he said, his voice carrying an edge of desperation. "Can we talk? I really need to explain."

I stopped a few steps away, my heart sinking. "Fitz, I don't think there's much to explain. I've asked for space."

"Please, just give me a moment," he pleaded, stepping closer with an intensity that made me uncomfortable. "I need you to know how I feel."

Before I could react, Fitz reached out and grabbed my arm, his grip firm and unyielding. His eyes were filled with a mix of yearning and possessiveness. "Sophie, you don't understand. I've loved you for so long. You're meant to be mine."

I tried to pull away, my pulse quickening with a sense of alarm. "Fitz, you're hurting me. Let go!"

His hold tightened, and I could feel his fingers brushing against the strap of my bra. The closeness and his touch made my skin crawl. "You don't get it. I've tried to be patient, but seeing you with someone else... it drives me mad. You're my everything, and I can't stand to lose you."

As he spoke, his hands began to stray, moving close to unfasten my bra. My heart raced with panic. "Fitz, stop! Please, let go!"

Just as I was about to cry out, I heard the sound of hurried footsteps approaching. I looked up to see Keefe rushing towards us, his face a storm of anger and concern.

Keefe's POV

I'd been wandering through the gardens, trying to clear my head, when I saw Sophie's figure and Fitz's tense stance nearby. My gut twisted with a sense of dread, and I quickened my pace, knowing something was terribly wrong. When I rounded the corner and saw Fitz's grip on Sophie's arm, and his hands just unfastening her bra, my blood boiled. The sight of Fitz's hands and the fear in Sophie's eyes ignited a fierce protectiveness within me.

Fitz's fingers were dangerously close to Sophie's bra being pulled off with nothing to cover her, and he was forcing himself on her, his face a mask of desperation and control. I could see the panic and distress in Sophie's eyes, and it fueled my rage.

"Sophie, is everything alright?" I called out, my voice trembling with barely-contained fury.

Fitz's head snapped up, surprise and defiance flashing in his eyes. "I was just talking to Sophie. Trying to make her understand."

"No, Fitz," I said, my voice low but seething with anger. "You've crossed a line. go, now!"

Fitz's grip didn't loosen and his hand edged closer to sophie breast. He glared at me, frustration boiling over. "I'm not done here. She needs to know how much she means to me."

The sight of him holding Sophie and his hands moving too close to her body was more than I could bear. I stormed forward, my fists clenched, my entire body trembling with rage.

"Respect boundaries, Fitz! You don't have any right to claim her or control her feelings!" I roared, my voice echoing through the garden.

Fitz's face hardened, and he met my gaze with a defiant glare. "I'm not leaving until she understands. Sophie, you're mine."

That was the breaking point. My fury exploded. I lunged at Fitz, shoving him away from Sophie with all my strength. He stumbled back, shock and anger flickering across his face. I grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the nearby wall, my rage spilling over.

"You think you can just take what you want?" I shouted, my voice echoing with intensity. "You think you can force yourself on her?"

Fitz tried to fight back, but my anger was a force of nature. I threw a punch, landing it squarely on his jaw. He reeled from the blow, and I didn't hesitate to follow up with another, more forceful punch. His attempts to retaliate were weak compared to the strength of my fury.

Finally, Fitz's resistance crumbled. He staggered back, his face contorted with pain and fear. I pushed him one last time before he turned and fled into the night not leaving without adding "You will be mine sophie", leaving me alone with Sophie.

I turned to her, my heart breaking at the sight of her distressed and disheveled. Her clothes were disheveled, and her bra was exposed. The sight fueled my anger even more.

"Sophie, are you okay?" My voice softened with concern as I moved closer.

She nodded, though her tears made it hard to see clearly. "I'm fine. Just... really shaken."

I wrapped her in a tight embrace, trying to offer as much comfort as possible. My heart ached seeing her so upset. "I'm so sorry you had to deal with that. I should have been here sooner."

Sophie clung to me, her trembling body seeking refuge in my arms. "Thank you for coming. I didn't know what to do."

I gently stroked her hair, trying to calm her. "You're safe now. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere. We'll get through this together."

As we stood there, I felt a surge of emotion and need to reassure her further. I cupped her face in my hands, leaning in and pressing my lips to hers in a deep, passionate kiss. It was a kiss meant to drive away the fear and reaffirm our connection, a promise that I would always be there for her. When I finally pulled away, my heart was pounding, and I looked into her eyes, trying to convey everything I felt.

"I'm here for you," I whispered. "Always."

As we walked away from the garden, I kept a protective arm around her. The night had been filled with too much tension and fear, but with her in my arms, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. I vowed to protect her from anything and anyone who could hurt her, and to stand by her side no matter what.

The events of the night had left a deep mark, but with Sophie and me facing the future together, I felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.