Kidnapped Alpha Mate

Chapter 16 - Unwanted Memories

Sophia's P.O.V.

I inhaled deeply and let my eyelids fall shut, trying to block out the world around me. The weight of my thoughts hung heavy in my head, and I could feel the tension in my chest tightening with every passing second.

I had only confided in Em about the ordeal, the one person I trusted to hold my pain without judgment. I was reluctant to share it with anyone else, but the bond I felt with Edward was too strong to ignore, drawing me in like a magnet, urging me to reveal the truth that had been suffocating me for far too long.

"You're so eager to know... fine," I finally said, my voice trembling as I prepared to relive the nightmare. "Two months ago, I was home alone when I heard footsteps on the stairs. At first, I thought it was my mom returning early from work, but when the door swung open, it wasn't her." My heart raced as panic surged through me as I relieved the moments, "I tried to escape, to run, but he caught me before I could even think. He threw me onto the bed, bound me, and... he... violated me." The last words barely escaped my lips, a whisper laced with pain and shame.

Tears streamed down my face as Em pulled me into her embrace, her warmth wrapping around me like a protective cocoon. I could feel her heartbeat against my cheek, steady and reassuring, grounding me in t he moment. I had never wanted to burden anyone with my trauma, but in that moment, I felt a flicker of relief in sharing my truth.

"I-I'm so sorry, Sophia," Edward murmured softly, his voice filled with a mix of sorrow and anger. I could sense the turmoil within him, the way he struggled to process the horror of what I had just revealed.

"pourquoi cela est-il arrivé ?" I choked out my French slipping through, my voice breaking as I clung to Em, seeking solace in her presence. "I keep replaying it in my mind, trying to understand how someone could do something so cruel."

Edward shifted closer, his hand gently resting on my back, offering silent support. "You didn't deserve this, Sophia. None of it was your fault. You are so much stronger than you realize, and I'm here for you. We'll get through this together."

His words, though comforting, felt like a fragile promise. They wrapped around me like a warm blanket, but the comfort they offered was fleeting. I had reached my limit. I wiped my tears and met his gaze, fury bubbling beneath the surface. "You wanted to know, didn't you? Are you satisfied now that you understand why I don't want you near me let alone touch me ?" I tilted my head slightly, whispering under my breath, "You even resemble him."

Em chimed in, her voice just above a hush as she looked off gazed, "Oh yeah, he really does look like—" I shot her a glare that could silence a storm, urging her to shut up. The air between us thickened, the tension palpable as I fought to keep my emotions in check.

"Look like who?" Edward snapped, his voice laced with anger. I turned back to him, noticing his eyes had turned an unsettling shade of black, swirling with a darkness that sent a shiver down my spine. It was as if the very essence of my pain had seeped into him, transforming his expression from concern to something more primal.

"Like him," I spat, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and defiance. "The man who made me feel small, who twisted my reality until I didn't recognize myself anymore. You may not see it, but I do. Every time I look at you, I see his face."

Edward's jaw clenched, and for a moment, I thought he might lash out. But instead, he took a deep breath, his features softening as he fought to rein in his anger. "Sophia, I'm not him. I would never hurt you. I will always be here for you to protect you and love you with all of me"

I shook my head, the weight of my past pressing down on me like a heavy shroud. "You don't understand. It's not that simple. I can't just forget what happened. I can't just erase the scars he left behind." My voice cracked, and I felt the tears threatening to spill over again.