Chapter 5 Take off Your Pants

William's face hardened, disgust etched in every line.

Sophia extracted herself from his grip, smoothing her clothes with mechanical precision. His burning stare bore into her back, but she didn't flinch.

Taking a steadying breath, she grabbed her purse and reached for the door. "Mr. Brown," she said without turning, "I'm tainted now. I can't be your companion anymore, and I can't remain your assistant. Consider this my resignation."

She stepped out into the night, spine straight, chin high.

The driver hurried over, concerned. "Ms. Miller? We're miles from anywhere—how will you get home?"

"Let her walk," William's voice cut through the darkness.

The driver fell silent, embarrassed.

Sophia offered him a polite smile and started walking, her heels echoing against the pavement.

She bypassed William's place, trudging all the way to her small rental apartment. By the time she reached home, her feet were raw and blistered.

Inside, she stripped and stood under scalding water, scrubbing until her skin was angry red. Time lost meaning as she tried to wash away the night's memories.

When she finally emerged, her skin burned, but she still felt unclean. The mirror reflected the purple mark on her neck, and tears suddenly blurred her vision.

Fighting the breakdown, she slapped herself hard.

Once wasn't enough. She slapped herself again.

Gasping, she dried her eyes and forced herself to focus.

Louis was dangerous—she couldn't risk crossing his path again. She wasn't stupid enough to actually help him target Grace, regardless of her feelings toward the woman.

Resignation was her escape route. She'd never be William's wife anyway. It was time to take her mother and disappear to some quiet town.

William had been generous—two properties and over $300,000 in savings.

She sent her resignation email immediately.

Exhausted, she collapsed onto her couch and fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, she ignored her alarm. What did it matter now? She slept until noon.

Checking her email, she found HR's response: her contract required a $200,000 penalty for leaving before five years.

Her hands trembled. That clause was new—she was sure of it.

Had William slipped it into one of the countless contracts she'd signed?

Only three months remained in her five-year term. She couldn't afford the penalty.

Her phone interrupted her spiraling thoughts.

"Hello?"

"Ms. Miller, Benjamin here."

She recognized William's assistant's voice.

"Yes?"

"Mr. Brown's in the hospital. He wants you here immediately."

"The hospital?" She frowned. "I can't come."

Benjamin paused, surprised by her unprecedented refusal.

"Ms. Miller, you know the consequences of defying him."

Silence.

"Remember," Benjamin's voice softened, "those properties are gifts he can reclaim. And your mother's care facility—that must be expensive."

Sophia gripped the phone tighter, willing her voice steady. "Are you threatening me?"

"Just asking you to visit the hospital. Nothing more."

"Send the address," she said through clenched teeth.

At the hospital, she was puzzled to find herself in the gynecology department.

She knocked on the exam room door.

A female doctor looked up. "Ms. Miller?"

"Yes."

"Please lie down and remove your lower garments."

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