Divorce To Marry a CEO

Chapter 20: The Reckoning

Sophia's heart raced as she discreetly glanced at her phone. Alexander was coming, but she wasn't sure how long she could hold out before Gerald made his next move. The abandoned building seemed to close in on her, the shadows thickening as Gerald paced before her like a predator toying with its prey.

"Do you know what I admire most about you, Sophia?" Gerald's voice cut through the silence. "Your devotion. You'd do anything for your family, wouldn't you? That's why you're here now-because I gave you a reason to believe they were in danger."

He stopped, turning his piercing gaze on her, daring her to respond. Sophia clenched her fists, her mind swirling with the fear and frustration that had been building inside her. She wasn't going to let him break her spirit, not when Alexander was so close. But she also knew that every second mattered. She had to keep Gerald talking, stall for time.

"And now that you have me," she said, her voice as steady as she could manage, "what do you want, Gerald? Is this just another power play for you?"

He smirked, stepping closer. "A power play? No. This is about closure. About making sure Alexander knows what it feels like to lose."

Sophia's stomach turned. Gerald wasn't just here for her-he was here to get back at Alexander. His obsession with control and revenge had reached its peak, and she was caught in the crossfire.

"You know," Gerald continued, almost conversationally, "I didn't expect you to come alone. I thought Alexander had trained you better. But that's what makes this so sweet. He'll realize he underestimated me, and you-well, you'll be the perfect lesson."

Sophia's mind raced. She couldn't just wait for Alexander to arrive. She had to find a way to turn the situation in her favor, to exploit whatever weakness Gerald had. But what?

Then it hit her.

"You're wrong, Gerald," she said, her voice gaining strength. "Alexander hasn't underestimated you. He's already on his way. You think you've won, but you have no idea how close he is."

Gerald's smile faltered for just a moment, his eyes narrowing as if trying to read her. "Nice try, Sophia, but bluffing won't save you."

"I'm not bluffing," she shot back. "He's coming, and when he gets here, you'll regret ever laying a hand on me."

Gerald's smirk faded completely, replaced by something darker. He stalked toward her, his eyes blazing with fury. "You really think Alexander is your savior, don't you? That he can just waltz in and fix everything?"

Sophia stood her ground, her pulse quickening as Gerald loomed over her. "Yes, I do. And he's beaten you before. He'll do it again."

Gerald's jaw clenched, his composure slipping. "You're more naive than I thought."

In one swift motion, he grabbed her wrist, yanking her closer. Sophia winced, but she didn't let him see her fear. She had to keep him off balance, had to make him believe Alexander was closer than he realized.

The door behind them suddenly creaked open, and both of them froze.

Sophia's heart leaped into her throat. Was it Alexander? Had he arrived?

But the figure that stepped into the room wasn't Alexander. It was another one of Gerald's men, his expression grim as he approached.

"Boss," the man said, his voice low. "We've got a problem. Alexander's men... they're here."

Gerald's grip on Sophia tightened painfully, his eyes flashing with anger. "How many?"

"Too many," the man replied, glancing nervously between Gerald and Sophia. "We can't hold them off for long."