Chapter 2 - THE WOMAN BEHIND AVERYSophia stepped out into the Manhattan night.
The air was cool against her cheek.
For a moment, she stood beneath the restaurant's entrance canopy.
Her hands were steady now, though her pulse was still racing.
She had defended herself instinctively after Richard struck her.
But she knew the situation wasn't over.
She took out her phone.
There were six missed calls from Elena Park, her business director.
Sophia called back.
Elena answered immediately.
“Sophia?”
“I'm here.”
“Marcus is panicking. Victoria says the launch can't be canceled.”
“It can.”
“Sophia, the models are booked. The venue is ready. Buyers are flying in from Europe.”
“I know.”
Elena hesitated.
“Are you all right?”
Sophia touched her cheek.
“Yes.”
There was a pause.
Elena knew her too well.
“What happened?”
Sophia looked back through the restaurant windows.
Richard stood near the table, visibly shaken.
Victoria was speaking furiously into her phone.
Sophia answered quietly.
“The manager hit me.”
Elena went silent.
Then her voice hardened.
“Where are you?”
Sophia told her.
“I'll send a car.”
“Elena—”
“No arguments.”
Sophia sighed.
Then nodded.
“Okay.”
Elena continued.
“And Sophia?”
“Yes?”
“You don't have to handle this alone.”
Sophia looked toward the city lights.
May you like
For the first time that evening, she allowed herself to breathe.
“I know.”
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