Sophia''s words left Sky momentarily stunned.
"Sky, the reason you treat Emma so well-isn''t it because you like her?" Sophia continued, "I used to find you disgusting, being in love with your own sister. But now that you know she isn''t your biological sister, do you regret not pursuing her sooner?"
Sky snapped out of his daze, and his expression darkened instantly.
"Sophia, I have never had romantic feelings for Emma."
"Really?" Sophia sneered. "Sky, do you even believe in yourself? Oh, by the way, let me tell you a little secret."
She stood up, leaned in close, and whispered something in his ear. Then, straightening up, she looked down at him from above.
"Sky, enjoy your stay here." Sophia smiled mysteriously. "I''ll being to see you regrly."
Sky remained silent, but his clenched fist on the table slowly tightened.
"Mr. Holt, I''d like to speak with you alone."
Before Zachary and Sophia could leave, Sky spoke again.
"Apologies, but I have nothing to discuss with you, Mr. Walker," Zachary politely declined. "Mr. Walker, we''ll be taking our leave."
"It won''t take long, Mr. Holt," Sky insisted. "And what I have to say is important." "Zachary, go ahead and speak with him," Sophia interjected. "I''ll wait outside." She winked at Zachary, curious about what Sky considered so important.
Zachary hesitated for a moment before ruffling Sophia''s hair. "Alright. Since you asked, I''ll hear him out."
"Okay."
Sophia stepped out, and Zachary took her seat, his gaze calm as he looked at Sky.
"Mr. Walker, say what you need to say."
"There are quite a few photos and videos of Sophia stored in Emma''s and Shane''sputers."
Sky took a deep breath before continuing, "Emma was scared, so she told me about them before. While being held, Emma suffered physical abuse from her cellmates and had a rough time. She''s desperate to see Sophia, but I heard Sophia refuses to meet her."
"It seems Mr. and Mrs. Walker haven''tpletely abandoned you as they im." Zachary''s tone turned mocking. "I thought they were rational people, but it turns out they''re just as hypocritical."
If Sky truly had no outside help, he wouldn''t know about Emma''s situation.
"Mr. Walker, if you''re thinking of using those things to threaten Sophia into forgiving Emma, let me tell you now-you''re dreaming."
Zachary stood up, his face dark with anger, his tone no longer polite.
"I don''t know what game the Walker family is ying, but Sophia will never forgive Emma-or you. Do you really think you''re innocent?
"No. You''re just as guilty. You were the biggest aplice!
"Emma''s being beaten? So what? You should experience that kind of suffering yourself."
"You''ve misunderstood me, Mr.
Holt." Sky forced a bitter smile. "My parents aren''t being two-faced, and
they didn''t tell me this. In fact, they refuse to see Emma. They don''t care whether she lives or dies.
"My mother, in particr, despises her now. She believes I bear responsibility, but moreso Emma.
"If not for her, I wouldn''t have ended up like this. I ept that this is the price I
must pay, but I''m telling you all this because I want to make amends for my sins. I know where those files are.
"Zachary, you love Sophia, don''t you?"
"Yes," Zachary answered without hesitation. "I''ve loved her for years. She was once your fiancée, so I never expressed my feelings. Even now, don''t dare show them. But it doesn''t matter. I''ve waited for her for so fong. I don''t mind waiting a little longer."
"Then, do you care about what happened to her?" Sky hesitated before asking.
"Sky, it wasn''t her fault." Zachary''s expression darkened further. "Sophia was the victim. Why should I care? The ones who deserve to be in hell are you people— not her.
"Sky, don''t think everyone is like you!"
Zachary''s words made Sky''s face turn pale. "That''s not what I meant."
"That''s exactly what you meant," Zachary exposed him mercilessly. "What you really want to ask is whether I''ll look down on Sophia because of what Shane did to her. Isn''t that right?
"Let me tell you something-I love
her. I only feel pain for her. The only
p.n
thing I resent is myself-why didn''t see through you sooner? If I had know what kind of monster were, I would have broken off her engagement with you, no matter what it took, even if it meant offending the Walker family.
"Sky, if a man''s beloved woman is hurt, that only proves his own ipetence.
The ones who should be in hell are you and me."
Zachary''s eyes reddened as he spoke.
"Even now, you''re still trying to use those files to threaten her. Sky, you''re not a man."
"Those files can''t hurt me."
A voice suddenly rang out behind Zachary. Sophia slowly walked in, no one aware
of how long she had been listening.
Zachary stiffened. He suddenly didn''t dare turn around.
Sophia stepped closer, looking directly at Sky as she spoke, enunciating each word, "Sky, those files can''t hurt me. I''ve already died once, and I fear nothing. "Photos? Videos? If I don''t acknowledge them, who can prove they''re of me? Rather than letting you expose them, I might as well do it myself first."
She raised her phone toward him. "I was considering letting you go for Natalie''s sake, for Mr. and Mrs. Walker''s sake. But now, I see that''s unnecessary.
"I''ve already sent everything out, including photos of you being arrested and detained.
"Sky, do you think I''m afraid?"
Sophia''s expression was cold, her tone calm as she stared at Sky.
"Some might hurl insults at me, but as long as I live, I will be fearless. You, Emma,
and Shane failed to kill me. In the end, I will only grow stronger.
"I''ll take your challenge. And as for Emma and Shane, dying so easily would be
too good for them. The suffering I endured-of course, you all should experience
it too.
"Sky, you gave up everything for Emma. I just want to know if one day, you find yourself vited, will you still be so magnanimous?
"Zachary, let''s go."