Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Sophia and Ji-hyun had settled into the rhythm of boarding school life in Seoul.
Late-night study sessions, shared meals, and occasional moments of laughter with friends marked the passage of time.
Yet, for Sophia, there was an undercurrent of anticipation as her final exams loomed closer—the external exams that would determine her graduation from high school.
Lucius, back in the U.S., had been busy. The divorce proceedings with Samantha were underway, and though they were complicated and messy, he was determined to sever ties with the woman who had been nothing but a thorn in his side. Penelope, as usual, tried to stir trouble, but Lucius kept her at arm’s length, his mind too preoccupied with thoughts of Sophia.
---
The day of the final court hearing arrived. Samantha sat across from Lucius in the courtroom, her face a picture of feigned innocence.
She wore an expensive black dress, her makeup flawless as she played the role of the scorned wife.
“I’ve sacrificed everything for this marriage,” Samantha declared dramatically, her voice echoing in the room.
Lucius, cold and unyielding, leaned forward.
“Sacrificed? You’ve done nothing but leech off me. This marriage was nothing but a contract to begin with, and you know it.”
The judge looked between them, his expression neutral. “Mr. Lee, Mrs. Lee, let’s remain civil.”
“Civil?” Samantha snapped, turning to the judge.
“He’s abandoning me after all I’ve done!”
Lucius’s jaw tightened. “All you’ve done is manipulate and scheme for your benefit. This ends now.”
With that, the judge ruled in Lucius’s favor, finalizing the divorce.
Samantha’s face twisted in fury as she realized she would walk away with far less than she had hoped.
“This isn’t over,” she hissed as they left the courtroom.
Lucius didn’t even spare her a glance. “Yes, it is.”
---
Back in Seoul, Sophia found herself buried in textbooks and notes as the external exams approached.
The weight of impending adulthood loomed over her, but she remained focused, determined to succeed.
Ji-hyun, ever the optimist, tried to keep Sophia’s spirits high. “You’re going to ace these exams, Sophia. I just know it!”
Sophia smiled faintly. “Thanks, Ji-hyun. I just hope I don’t freeze up when the time comes.”
Unbeknownst to her, Lucius had been keeping track of her progress from afar. He sent subtle gifts—an ergonomic chair to help with long study sessions, a premium set of pens, and a personalized planner. Each item came with a simple note:
You’ve got this.
°Asabi na°
---
A week before the exams, Lucius decided to visit Seoul again. This time, his arrival was unannounced.
Sophia was in the library, engrossed in her notes, when she felt a shadow fall over her table. She looked up and froze.
“Lucius?” she whispered, her heart pounding.
“Surprised?” he asked, his voice low and smooth.
She stood quickly, glancing around. “What are you doing here? This is a school.”
“I’m aware,” he replied, his lips twitching into a faint smirk. “I wanted to see how you were doing.”
Sophia frowned. “You traveled all the way here just for that?”
Lucius tilted his head, his gaze piercing. “Do I need another reason?”
Her cheeks flushed as she sat back down. “Well… thank you. I’m fine.”
He pulled out a chair and sat across from her, his presence dominating the small table. “How are the preparations?”
“Stressful,” she admitted, avoiding his gaze. “But I’m managing.”
They sat in companionable silence for a moment before Lucius reached out and placed a hand over hers.
“You’ll do great, Sophia,” he said softly. “You always do.”
Her breath hitched as their eyes met, a spark passing between them.
---
Later that evening, Sophia couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched.
She had gone to the library to retrieve a book she’d left behind when the lights flickered ominously.
“Hello?” she called, her voice echoing in the empty space.
A figure emerged from the shadows, and her heart raced. It was Lucius.
“You scared me!” she exclaimed, clutching her chest.
He stepped closer, his face partially obscured by the dim light. “I didn’t mean to.”
Sophia noticed something different about him—an intensity in his gaze that sent shivers down her spine.
“Why are you here?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“I couldn’t stay away,” he admitted, his tone darker than usual.
Sophia backed up slightly, her heart pounding. “Lucius… this isn’t like you.”
He closed the distance between them, his hand gently brushing her cheek. “You don’t know everything about me, Sophia.”
° what else don't I know...... this guy sef°
Her breath hitched as he leaned in, his lips hovering near her ear. “But I want you to.”
The air between them was electric, charged with an unspoken desire. Sophia found herself unable to move, caught in his gravitational pull.
---
The day of the external exams arrived, and the atmosphere on campus was tense. Sophia woke up early, her stomach tied in knots.
“You’ve got this,” Ji-hyun said, squeezing her sister’s hand.
Sophia nodded, trying to steady her nerves.
As she walked into the exam hall, she spotted Lucius standing at a distance, his presence a silent reminder of his faith in her. Their eyes met briefly, and she felt a surge of confidence.
The exams were grueling, but Sophia pushed through, determined to give it her all.
---
When the exams were finally over, the students erupted into cheers. Sophia and Ji-hyun hugged tightly, relief washing over them.
Lucius waited for Sophia outside the school gates, his usual stoic expression softening when he saw her.
“You did it,” he said simply.
Sophia smiled, her eyes shimmering with tears. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Lucius stepped closer, his hand brushing against hers. “I’m proud of you, Sophia.”
As the sun set over Seoul, they stood together, the world around them fading into the background. For the first time in months, everything felt perfect.
---
YOU ARE READING
SMITTEN BY HER (unedited)
Romance"Beyond Shadows" In a world where darkness whispers secrets and power knows no bounds, a young orphan's dreams of becoming a veterinarian are crushed by the cruel betrayal of her own blood. Sold into an unforgiving fate, she finds herself in the eni...
