Chapter 16 Rage
Sophie’s POV
I can’t believe I slapped her.
Lesley.
I saw her standing there, not helping my rage at all.”
My hand still tingled. The echo of the slap still ringing in my ears as I marched down the parking lot, people stared at me. I didn’t care. Let them stare. Let them judge. I’ve had enough.”
Lesley had no business showing her face around my man.
He’s mine
God, my heart was pounding so hard I felt nauseous. Or maybe that was just the baby throwing in a few kicks for the drama.
“Trenton,” I muttered through clenched teeth as I yanked the car door open and slid inside, slamming it shut. “You’re lucky I’m not slapping you too.”
I sat there for a moment, both hands gripping the steering wheel, trying to breathe, trying to not cry, but the hormones were like a damn wave, I couldn’t stop it.
He kept saying her name in his sleep.
Not mine.
Hers.
Lesley.
Like she lived in the corners of his subconscious while I was the one sharing his bed, his child, his everything.
I was tired of feeling second–best to a woman he swore he was over.
And there she was, in the flesh. In a stupid sundress with her stupid calm face. Just existing, like she hadn’t left me with a man that didn’t care enough.
I didn’t even remember walking up to her. My feet moved before my brain could catch up.2
The slap? Automatic.
The words? Rage–fueled instinct.
And her expression? It was the worst part.”
Not smug. Not guilty. Just… confused. Like I was the crazy one.”
Maybe I was.
I exhaled hard and let my head fall back against the seat. “God.”
I stared at my reflection in the rearview mirror. My cheeks were flushed, eyes wide, breath shallow. I looked unhinged.
I needed to calm down.”
I needed to go home.
Why was she confused?%
Why hadn’t she fought back?
If she was really still after Trenton… wouldn’t she have had something to say?}
Unless… she wasn’t the problem.”
Unless… he was.}
My stomach turned again. Not from the baby. This was something sharp.
It was time for answers.
And Trenton was going to give them to me, whether he was awake or not.
By the time I got home, I thought the anger would have gone, but no.!!
I slammed the front door behind me, but no complaints came.
Of course.”
The TV was on in the living room. Trenton was sprawled on the couch, sockless, shirt half–tucked, scrolling through his phone like the world was all rainbow and sunshine.
I stood there for a second, watching him. Trying to figure out what part of him I ever believed belonged to me. He didn’t even glance up.” “Hey,” I snapped.!!
“Hey.” That was it. Hey.
Like hadn’t just slapped his ex across the face in public. Like I wasn’t carrying his child.!!
“Do you know what you’ve been saying in your sleep?” I walked closer.
He didn’t look up.”
stopped a foot away. “You say her name. Lesley. Over and over. Like a freaking lullaby.“}] That made him pause.
He blinked once, then set his phone down. Slowly. Finally met my gaze. “Okay?”
“Okay?” My voice cracked. “That’s all you have to say?”
He sighed, head tipping back against the couch cushion. “Sophie. I’m tired. I’ve had a long day.”
“Oh, you’re tired?” I laughed, not out of joy. The contrary. “I’m growing an entire human being, spiraling emotionally, and you’re tired?”
“I can’t control what I say in my sleep,” he said flatly. “It doesn’t mean anything.”
“But it does!” My voice rose. “You don’t say my name. Ever. Not once. But hefs? It’s like a goddamn playlist on repeat.”
He stood up then. Slow. His height suddenly intimidating in that quiet, disappointed way. “Sophie. You’re blowing this out of proportion.”
“I saw her today,” I said, my voice dropping to a venomous whisper. “At the mall.”
That got his attention. His eyes narrowed. “What?”
“I slapped her.” I didn’t flinch. “Told her to stay away from you.”
He blinked, once. “You what?”
“She deserved it.”
“No,” he said, voice now cold, flat. “You lost control. Again.”
My chest squeezed. “So you’re defending her now?”
“I’m not defending anyone. I’m trying to keep some damn peace around here. You know damn well you should be in jail for shooting her, but here you are still looking for trouble after all I did to get you out of it.”
“And what about me?” My voice trembled, “What about peace for me?“>
He looked at me like I was a some child that was out of control.
Then…he shook his head.
“You know what, Sophie? I can’t do this right now.”
And just like that, he walked past me.
No apology. No explanation. No warmth.
The door shut behind him. Not slammed. Not rushed.
Just closed.
Final.
I stood in the center of the room, surrounded by the silence he left behind.”
Then I felt it. A kick.
Another one, bit somehow it was different to what I normally feel.
“Hospital. Now.” I whispered to myself as I snatched my keys and walked out as well.
