#36 “How Someone could Mistreat a Woman Like You.”
Sitting in the dimly lit expanse of his office, Alexander awaited Kyle’s report. He needed answers, and he needed them soon. As the door swung open, he turned his attention to the figure entering.
Kyle, the informant Alexander had enlisted, wasted no time in delivering his findings. His tone was direct and matter-of-fact, a reflection of the challenging task he had undertaken.
“I don’t know who this woman is, but she has covered her tracks very well,” Kyle’s words hung in the air, drawing Alexander’s full attention.
Alexander’s brow furrowed, a scowl forming as he processed the information. His impatience was palpable as he nodded for Kyle to continue.
“I can find absolutely no information about Miss Johnson’s two-year marriage,” Kyle’s words held a sense of exasperation as if he had encountered an insurmountable barrier. The revelation caught Alexander off guard. “So, she wasn’t married?”
Kyle shook his head. “No, she was married, but the details surrounding her marriage are shrouded in secrecy. I can’t even ascertain the name of her ex -husband, let alone the nature of their relationship.”
Alexander leaned back in his chair, fingers tented as he pondered the implications. “How is it possible that you can’t find any information?”
A smug smile graced Kyle’s lips. “I’ve been attempting to obtain her divorce papers, but they seem to be guarded as if they’re of utmost national importance. Despite my connections with the court, her background as a lawyer has made them tight-lipped.”
A mirthless chuckle escaped Alexander. “Whoever Sophia was married to seems to have left no traces, and she’s determined to keep it that way.”
Kyle nodded in agreement. “Indeed, and it’s clear she’s no ordinary woman. Remember the violin performance?”
Alexander’s gaze sharpened, his mind racing to connect the dots. “A remarkable talent and an enigmatic past,” he mused.
Kyle sensed the tension in the air and quickly reassured his employer. “I’ll continue the investigation, Alexander. You’re not paying me to come back with empty hands.” Alexander’s eyes locked onto Kyle’s. “I need answers, Kyle. The pieces of this puzzle need to fit together.”
Kyle gave a theatrical bow as he stepped back. “Consider me on the case, then.” As Kyle departed, Alexander was left alone with his thoughts. Unbeknownst to Alexander, just beyond the closed door, Emily stood poised to make her own move.
Eavesdropping had granted her insight into Alexander’s quest. She was determined to use her father’s connections to unravel the secrets that Sophia harbored.
“In order to figure out how to remove her from Alexander’s life, I must know who Sophia really was,” she murmured.
The next morning brought Alexander and Sophia to the same cafe, their paths crossing unexpectedly. There was a palpable tension in the air as they exchanged brief glances but refrained from engaging in conversation. The weight of their unspoken thoughts seemed to hang between them, creating an almost tangible barrier.
Sophia had spent the evening piecing together the puzzle, connecting the dots to reveal Emily’s involvement. She had discovered the truth behind the scenes, Emily’s manipulations and schemes laid bare. Yet, she chose not to reveal her findings to Alexander just yet. Instead, she decided to test the waters and gauge his reaction.
As they stood there, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting around. them, Sophia chose her words carefully. “Emily’s family introduced me to an intriguing client.”
Alexander chuckled softly. “Ah, yes, I recall.”
“Do they typically work with such… characters?” Sophia probed further. “I can’t say for sure. While I’ve had dealings with Emily, I’ve never encountered clients quite like this,” Alexander replied contemplatively.
Sophia’s raised eyebrow hinted at her skepticism. “It does seem like your families share more than just professional ties.”
Alexander’s response carried a hint of defensiveness. “Our interactions are purely work-related. Our families may be close, but my relationship with Emily remains professional.”
His candid response prompted Sophia to dig deeper. “Your professional relationship seems quite close, if I may say so.”
Alexander’s smile remained steady. Emily and I are good friends, but my approach to mixing business and personal matters is quite different. Our connection is rooted in professionalism, and our families’ friendship is a separate matter.”
As their conversation continued, they found themselves seated at a shared table, a familiar occurrence for them. “You’ve had your own experience with marriage, I gather?” Alexander finally broached the topic.
Sophia nodded, her demeanor guarded. She attempted to quell the apprehension that was slowly creeping in. A conversation with her ex-husband wasn’t something she had anticipated before her morning coffee.
“I, too, recently went through a divorce, 11 Alexander revealed. “What was your ex-husband like?” Sophia squinted at him, wondering if he was merely jesting. Could he truly not found out that she was his ex-wife?
Suppressing a grin, she decided to play along, offering him a glimpse of her past.
“During our two-year marriage, he never once bothered to visit me. Self- centered and quite the womanizer, his priorities were always centered around his desires.”
She watched Alexander’s expression, waiting for a reaction. His genuine surprise caught her off guard. “What sort of man could neglect a woman like you in that way?” Alexander mused, his disbelief evident.
“People make choices, Alexander. He made his, and I’ve made mine.”
Alexander appeared utterly puzzled by her narrative, momentarily forgetting his own marital history. “I can’t fathom how someone could mistreat a woman like you.”
Sophia managed to stifle her laughter, steering the conversation further. “It seems you have a rather romanticized view of relationships.” He grumbled, a hint of frustration in his tone. “A relationship should never involve such neglect.”
Suppressing her laughter, Sophia agreed, “Ideally, yes.”
“Who was your ex-husband?” Alexander inquired, his curiosity getting the better of him. At that very moment, Sophia’s phone interrupted their conversation, providing her with a much-needed escape. She feigned relief and excused herself, allowing Alexander to exit politely.
As she collected her composure, Sophia realized how close she had come to exposing her ruse. She couldn’t help but grin at the near miss, grateful for the timely intervention of her phone call.
