Chapter116: The Final Act

Chapter 116: The Final Act SOPHIA I was humming softly to myself as I flipped the pancakes in the pan, the sweet smell of breakfast filling the kitchen. Everything was falling into place perfectly. Today was the day I would finally remove the last obstacle standing between me and my happily ever after with Xenois. The sound of footsteps on the stairs made me turn with a bright smile, expecting to see Riley coming down for breakfast. Instead, Xenois walked into the kitchen, already dressed in his business suit and looking more alert than I'd seen him in weeks. "Good morning, darling," I said sweetly, gesturing toward the stove. "Breakfast is almost ready. I made your favorite pancakes." But instead of the warm greeting I was expecting, Xenois kept his distance, his expression oddly serious as he leaned against the kitchen counter. "Sophia, I've found you a place to live," he said without preamble, his voice carrying a businesslike tone that made my stomach clench with uneasiness. I near