The weeks following Sofia's recovery were a blissful escape from the chaos of their lives. She and Christ finally allowed themselves to enjoy the quieter moments, indulging in the love they had fought so hard to protect. Their vacation was a much-needed respite, an opportunity to experience the beauty of the world together. From the pristine beaches of the Maldives to the bustling streets of Paris and the serene countryside of Tuscany, every destination felt like a dream.

Sofia's favorite moment came when they visited Santorini, Greece. Standing on the edge of a cliff at sunset, Christ wrapped his arms around her waist and whispered, "This is exactly how I want us to be—peaceful, together, and free from all the madness."

Sofia smiled, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "You sound like a romantic fool."

He smirked. "You make me one, Sofia." He leaned in, stealing a kiss as the golden sunlight bathed them in warmth.

---

**Back at Home**

During Sofia's recovery, Julie, her ever-loyal best friend, had been a constant presence. Julie doted on Sofia, fussing over her meals, nagging her to rest, and ensuring she didn't overexert herself. But wherever Julie went, trouble seemed to follow in the form of Fallion Roy.

From the first day they met, the two had been like oil and water, unable to spend more than five minutes in each other's presence without sparking a fight.

"You're supposed to help Sofia, not stress her out with your loud mouth," Fallion quipped one afternoon when Julie knocked over a tray of snacks she had brought for Sofia.

Julie glared at him. "And you're supposed to be her brother-in-law, not an annoying fly buzzing around everywhere!"

"Fly? I think you mean angel, considering how patient I am putting up with you," he shot back.

Sofia, resting on the couch, couldn't suppress her laughter. "You two are exhausting," she teased. "If I didn't know better, I'd think you're secretly in love with each other."

Both Julie and Fallion turned to her in horror. "Never!" they exclaimed in unison, making Sofia laugh even harder.

One day, Sofia was surprised by a visit from Tang Min, her younger brother. Unlike the rest of the Tang family, Tang Min had always been kind to her, though they were never particularly close.

"Sofia," he said softly as he entered her home, his usual calm demeanor intact. "I heard about what happened with Tang Mia . I wanted to see if you're okay."

Sofia studied him for a moment, noting the genuine concern in his eyes. "I'm recovering," she replied. "But I didn't expect you to care, Tang Min."

He sighed, taking a seat across from her. "I know our family hasn't treated you well, but I'm not like them. I didn't agree with what Mia did,

For the first time, Sofia felt a flicker of warmth toward Tang Min. "Thank you," she said, her voice softening.

He nodded, his eyes lingering on her injuries. "If you ever need help, you can count on me."

A few weeks after her recovery, Sofia felt like she was finally regaining her strength. She had resumed her work, continued to spend time with Christ, and even began thinking about her next steps in life. But all of that came to a crashing halt one fateful afternoon.

Sofia had been feeling slightly off all day—her head spun, and her limbs felt heavy. She brushed it off as fatigue from overworking herself. But as she stood in her living room, the dizziness became overwhelming. The last thing she remembered was her vision going black before she collapsed to the floor.

When Sofia regained consciousness, she found herself in a dark, cold room. Her wrists were chained above her head, and her legs were shackled to the ground. The air was damp and heavy, the faint scent of decay making her stomach churn.

She blinked, trying to adjust to the dim light, but the darkness was suffocating. "Where am I?" she murmured, her voice hoarse.

"Ah, you're awake."

The voice sent a chill down Sofia's spine. It was low, cold, and filled with venom. She turned her head toward the sound, and as her eyes adjusted, she saw her captor.

A woman stepped out of the shadows, her form cloaked in black. Her face was sharp and aged, yet her eyes burned with a dangerous intensity. It was a face Sofia knew all too well.

"Tang Mia's mother ," Sofia whispered, her voice filled with equal parts shock and hatred.

The old sorceress smirked, her expression twisted with malice. "So, you still recognize me. Good. It would be a shame if my daughter's killer didn't know who was about to deliver her punishment."

Sofia's blood ran cold. "I didn't kill Tang Mia. She brought her fate upon herself."

The sorceress's eyes darkened, and the room seemed to grow colder. "You dare to justify your actions? Tang Mia was my daughter—my blood. And you destroyed her. Do you think I would let that go unpunished?"

Sofia pulled at her chains, testing their strength, but they didn't budge. "You've always been delusional," she said, her voice steady despite her situation. "Tang Mia wasn't your daughter. She was a pawn, just like everyone else in your twisted game. And now you're using me as another piece on your board."

The sorceress let out a cold, mirthless laugh. "Oh, Sofia. You're not a piece. You're the sacrifice."

Sofia's heart skipped a beat, but she didn't let her fear show. "You think chaining me here will bring her back? You're more pathetic than I thought."

The sorceress stepped closer, her hand reaching out to grab Sofia's chin. Her grip was icy, sending a shiver through Sofia's body. "You're arrogant, j," she hissed. "But don't worry. By the time I'm done with you, there won't be enough of you left to be arrogant."

Sofia met her gaze, her eyes cold and unyielding. "Do your worst," she spat.

The sorceress smirked. "Oh, I intend to."

As the darkness closed in around her, Sofia's mind raced. She knew she had to find a way out, but she also knew that Christ wouldn't rest until he found her. And when he does, you'll regret ever laying a hand on me,she thought, her lips curving into a faint, defiant smile.