Rachel approached, carrying a tray with a bowl of soft, fragrant porridge. She settled at the edge of the bed, her brows knitting at the clear handprint on Sophia’s check.
“Did Mr. Westwood hit you again? Does it hurt?” she asked gently.
Sophia didn’t want to worry her, so she shook her head lightly. “I’m fine, Rachel. Don’t stress over me.”
“Look at you–you’re still trying to comfort me when you’re the one hurting. Seriously, Mr. Westwood has really been out of line lately. Why does he keep laying hands on you?” Rachel said.
Sophia didn’t want to talk about Lucas. “Rachel, I’m starving.”
“Alright. I cooked you some porridge. After being out cold for two days, you need something light, not greasy. I put in some sugar, too. Try a little,” Rachel said gently.
Sophia took the bowl and ate in tiny bites. Rachel watched, eyes brimming with tears.
She said, “Mrs. Westwood, you’ve gotten so skinny.”
Just a few days without food had left Sophia little more than skin and bones, and her swollen, bruised face only made her look heartbreakingly frail.
Sophia asked, “Rachel, have you seen my phone anywhere?”
“No. When Mr. Westwood brought you back, you were only wearing a hospital gown. I didn’t see your phone,” Rachel replied.
Sophia’s brows knitted. “Rachel, can I borrow your phone for a moment?”
Rachel hesitated for a split second before pulling her phone from her pocket and handing it over.
“Mrs. Westwood, Mr. Westwood told me not to let you contact anyone outside. If you need to call someone, make it quick. I’ll keep watch at the door,” she whispered.
Sophia didn’t hesitate. She called Annabelle at once, and Annabelle picked up right away.
“Annabelle, it’s me. Are you alright? Did Lucas lay a hand on you that day?” Sophia asked.
When Annabelle heard Sophia’s voice, all the anxiety she’d been carrying for days finally eased. Not wanting Sophia to worry, she downplayed what happened.
She said, “No, he didn’t. How are you holding up? It was all my fault. I couldn’t stop that bastard from dragging you away.”
“I’m fine, Annabelle. Seriously, after everything Lucas has put me through, I owe him nothing. I’m gonna fight back,” Sophia said.
Sophia wasn’t about to stick around in this house and let Lucas keep messing with her, physically and mentally,
1/2
Helen’s expression soured. When Wendy showed them in earlier, she hadn’t mentioned that Sophia was being kept in the utility room.
She gave a forced little cough, trying to keep some dignity. “Well, Sophia’s made a string of mistakes lately, so Lucas is just teaching her a lesson by making her stay here for now.”
Rachel, standing nearby, looked like she wanted to speak up for Sophia, but Sophia subtly tugged at her sleeve, signaling her to stay quiet.
Charles wasn’t feeling sorry for Sophia at all. He simply couldn’t stand how the Westwood family had zero respect for the Evans family.
Just as Charles was about to say something, Margaret tugged him back.
Then she said, “After the whole ruckus she stirred up at the birthday party, she could use a reality check.”
Charles’s mind flashed to the hundreds of millions that the Evans Group had lost, and to David who was still stuck in jail for three days, no bail in sight. His expression turned grim.
He said, “We really spoiled her rotten. Now that she’s married into the Westwood family, she should do as her husband says. However Lucas decides to handle her, that’s on him.”
2/2
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