Chapter 188 Just Being Careful
THIRD PERSON’S POV
Zade didn’t expect the warmth of Sophia’s hand to stay in his even after they stepped onto the dance floor.
For a moment, he stood there, almost forgetting how to move. His mind was still caught in the shock of her choosing him in front of everyone.
The music flowed around them but his heartbeat was louder than anything else. He looked down at her, trying to understand what had just happened. It felt unreal.
Sophia didn’t hold onto that moment the way he did. To her, it was nothing.
She kept her hand in his as they danced. She did her best not to look into his eyes. Zade noticed this.
“You’re already pulling away,” Zade said under his breath. His hand tightened slightly at her waist “Why did you come to me if you were just going to do that?”
Sophia swallowed. She finally looked at him.
“I didn’t come to you for the reasons you think,” she replied quietly “Don’t misunderstand it.”
Zade laughed bitterly “Hard not to misunderstand when you take my arm in front of him. You chose me, Sophia. Everyone saw it.”
She hesitated. Her lips parted as if she wanted to say something but couldn’t find the right words.
The music continued around them, but their small space felt tense
“I chose not to choose him,” she corrected after a moment “That’s different.”
Her words hit him harder than he expected. For a second, Zade said nothing. His jaw tightened as he processed what she meant.
The difference was clear, and it wasn’t in his favor. Still, he didn’t let go of her. Instead, he guided her through the dance.
Before either of them could say anything else, a sudden sound broke through the music. It was unexpected, like something heavy hitting against wood.
The melody stopped and a few people near the stage gasped. All heads turned toward the piano.
Tiffany was still seated there, but something had changed. A decorative piece hanging above the stage had loosened and fallen, striking near her head. The impact wasn’t loud, but it was enough to send shock through the room.
For a brief second, she remained still with her fingers frozen on the keys. Then her body swayed.
“Tiffany!” someone shouted.
She collapsed forward. Her body went limp as she fell against the piano. The sound of the keys clashing together echoed through the hall. The music stopped entirely.
Damien reacted instantly. He pushed through the crowd without hesitation.
“Move!” he ordered as people scrambled to make way for him.
When he reached the stage, he didn’t waste a second. He climbed up and reached Tiffany. He lifted her from the bench. Her head fell against his shoulder. The sight alone was enough to make everyone panic.
“Call the car!” Damien screamed “Simon, get it ready now!”
“I’m on it!” Simon responded immediately, already moving toward the exit.
Others began to follow. The elegant ball turned to chaos within seconds. People whispered, trying to understand what had just happened.
Damien didn’t look at anyone else. His focus remained entirely on Tiffany as he carried her down from the stage.
“Stay with me,” he muttered under his breath “Don’t close your eyes.”
But she didn’t respond.
Simon returned quickly, nodding. “The car’s ready.”
“Good,” Damien replied without slowing down. “We’re going to the hospital.”
Within moments, they were gone, along with several others who followed closely behind. The doors closed behind them.
Zade had stopped dancing the moment the chaos began. But while others rushed forward or whispered among themselves, he stayed where he was. His focus returned to her.
Sophia stood still. She had watched everything happen with a neutral expression.
“Come on,” Zade said finally.
She didn’t argue. She just nodded.
He guided her away from the center of the room. They made their way outside.
Neither of them spoke.
When they reached the car, he opened the door for her without a word. She got in quietly. He walked around to the driver’s side and got in, starting the engine.
The drive was silent.
Sophia leaned her head lightly against the window. She just watched the city outside as they moved. She was exhausted.
Zade glanced at her several times. He wanted to reach out, to say something that would make her look at him again the way she had earlier. But he didn’t.
When they finally reached her house, he turned off the engine but didn’t move immediately.
“You’re really good at this,” he said after a moment.
Sophia turned her head slightly, confused. “At what?”
“Pushing me away,” he replied.
She didn’t answer right away. Instead, she looked down at her hands.
“I’m not pushing you away,” she said slowly. “I’m just... being careful.”
Zade let out a quiet breath, leaning back in his seat.
“Careful with me,” he repeated. “But not with him.”
“That’s not fair,”
“Isn’t it?” he asked, turning to look at her fully. “You let him hurt you over and over again. But with me, you won’t even take one step forward.”
“Because I know what it feels like to fall for the wrong person. And I’m not ready to do that again.”
The words hit him harder than he expected. For a moment, Zade didn’t respond.
“So what am I to you?” he asked.
She hesitated, then looked at him. “A friend. That’s all I can offer right now.”
Zade looked at her for a long moment. Then he nodded again.
“Fine,” he said quietly.
Sophia opened the door and stepped out of the car. She paused briefly, as if she wanted to say something more, but then she didn’t. Instead, she simply walked inside.
Zade stayed where he was, watching the door close behind her.
-
At Stone Villa, the atmosphere was completely different. The house was quiet, but not peaceful.
Ashley tossed in her bed. Her breathing was uneven, and she kept whimpering.
In her dream, everything felt confusing and lonely.
“Mom...” she murmured weakly.
Franca, who had been checking on her, immediately stepped closer. Her expression softened with concern as she gently touched Ashley’s forehead.
“Ashley, sweetheart,” she said softly. “It’s okay.”
But Ashley shook her head slightly. Tears fell from the corners of her eyes.
“I want Mommy...” she whispered.
Franca hesitated for a moment before reaching for her phone. She stepped out of the room and dialed Sophia’s number.
When Sophia answered, her voice was calm but tired. “Hello?”
“Madam,” Franca said gently. “Ashley is having a nightmare. She’s calling for you.”
There was a brief silence on the other end.
Then, Ashley’s voice could be heard from the room.
“No... I don’t need her...” she said stubbornly, even though her voice shook “I’m fine...”
The words were weak, but they were clear.
Sophia heard them. For a moment, she couldn’t speak.
“I...” Franca started, but stopped.
“It’s okay,” she said finally. “If she says she’s fine, then... let her rest.”
Franca hesitated. “But-”
“It’s okay,” Sophia cut her off gently.
After ending the call, Sophia stood still for a long moment. She smiled bitterly.
She understood now.
Ashley only called for her when she was hurting, when she felt lonely, when she needed comfort. But when she didn’t... she pushed her away.
Sophia closed her eyes, taking a slow breath.
Then she put her phone down and said nothing more.