CHAPTER 144: ANOTHER IDENTITY

When Sophia returned home, the sky was already dark.

Lucas stood halfway down the stairs, his hand resting on the railing.

"You’re later than usual tonight."

"I had things to take care of," she replied casually, stretching her arms as she stepped inside.

Before she could even take off her coat, Lucas had already come down, gently taking her bag and hanging it up for her. Then, with the same quiet efficiency, he crouched to straighten her shoes by the door.

"And the kids?" she asked.

"They’re all asleep," he said. "They wanted to wait up for you, but I told them to rest first."

"That’s good." She smiled softly. "I didn’t realize how busy I’ve been lately."

Once she’d changed shoes, Sophia leaned into him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"So," she murmured, tilting her head up, "did you miss me today?"

Lucas chuckled, his voice low and warm. "I think about you more times a day than I can count on both hands. Shouldn’t you be telling me how many times you thought about me?"

Sophia gave a little sigh. "Hmm... I’m not sure. Aren’t you tired?"

"Tired? Not at all," he said, puzzled by the sudden change in topic.

"Really?"

"Of course."

She smiled slyly. "Strange... because you’ve been running through my mind all day. You sure you’re not tired?"

It took him a moment to catch on, and when he did, a faint flush crept up his neck.

Lowering his head, Lucas kissed her gently on the forehead. "Where did you learn to flirt like that?"

"Just made it up on the spot," she said with a teasing grin. Then, nestling closer into his chest, she added softly, "Did I ever tell you? I’ll be flying abroad in a few days."

"No," Lucas replied immediately. "And don’t tell me everyone else knows—because even Alex mentioned it, yet somehow I’m the only one left in the dark."

Sophia laughed quietly. "Oh... I might’ve forgotten to tell you."

"And now that you remember?" His tone turned playful. "You think it’s not too late to make up for it?"

"It’s not too late," she said sweetly, "but... are you planning to punish me for it?"

Her words barely left her mouth before Lucas’s hands found her waist. She jumped lightly, wrapping herself around him like a sloth clinging to a tree.

He caught her easily, carrying her upstairs.

When her back hit the wall, her eyes went hazy...

...

Two hours later.

Lucas reached for a cigarette out of habit—but after a pause, he set it down again, pressing it into the ashtray without lighting it.

Sophia lay curled in his arms, her voice soft and lazy. "Aren’t you going to ask me where I’m going? Or when I’ll be back?"

"When it’s time for you to come home, you will," he murmured confidently. "Besides... could you really stand being away from me that long?"

"Who gave you that kind of confidence?" she teased. "Anyway, I’m leaving on July 28th. I’ll probably be back around mid-August."

"July twenty... what?" His voice suddenly changed.

"Twenty-eighth," she said. "Just three days from now. Why?"

Lucas stiffened instantly. Sophia noticed the tension in his face and frowned.

"What is it? Is something wrong?"

Damien.

How did Damien know she’d be leaving that exact day?

Lucas’s brows drew together. "Do you still remember that gift Damien gave you?"

"The bracelet?" she asked.

He opened a drawer beside the bed and pulled out a small box. "Yeah. After I took it from you that day, it accidentally fell on the floor. When I picked it up... I noticed something inside."

He opened the lid slowly.

"There was a line of writing—tiny—but clear."

Sophia’s eyes widened slightly.

"There was writing inside the box? How’s that possible?"

Lucas nodded. "At first, I didn’t believe what he said. But now that you told me you’ll be leaving that exact day, I can’t shake this bad feeling. I’m not scared—but something about it doesn’t sit right. Maybe... you shouldn’t go."

"That’s impossible," Sophia said firmly. "I already postponed the last trip. I can’t refuse them again."

Still, the unease in her heart was growing stronger.

"Don’t overthink it," she said after a moment. "I’ll meet with Damien tomorrow. I can ask him face-to-face what exactly he meant. No wonder he told me to pay special attention to what was inside the box—there was a hidden message."

If Damien truly wanted to warn her, why wouldn’t he just say it outright? Why send such a cryptic clue instead?

Lucas nodded slowly. "Fine. Meet him tomorrow—but I’m coming with you."

"That’s not necessary," Sophia said gently. "I can handle it myself. You’ve got enough on your plate with the company. Besides, I’ll have my bodyguards with me."

He wanted to argue, but he knew her too well.

Once Sophia said no, there was no changing her mind.

And if he tried to insist, she’d just get angry and accuse him of not trusting her.

He hesitated for a few seconds before finally saying, "Alright. Just be careful."

Then, he took something out of his pocket—A pair of earrings.

"You’re giving me earrings?" she asked, surprised.

"They’re custom-made," Lucas said. "There’s a tiny tracker hidden inside."

He gently fastened them on her ears himself.

It was his way of ensuring that if something happened, he’d have enough time to find her.

Sophia touched the earrings lightly. "Alright, I’ll keep them on. Don’t worry. Once I meet Damien tomorrow, everything will make sense."

She didn’t believe Damien was the type to play games—if he’d gone through the trouble to warn her that way, there had to be a reason.

Maybe he’d been waiting for her to find him all along.

Either way, the only way to get answers was to see him in person.

...

The next morning.

Sophia arrived at Damien’s company.

It was her first time visiting, and she hadn’t expected the place to be so large and polished.

She walked straight to the front desk.

"Good morning. I’d like to see President Brown."

The receptionist smiled politely. "I’m sorry, President Brown isn’t in the office today."

"Not in?" Sophia frowned. "Where is he then?"

"He mentioned he’d be at the golf course this morning. If you go there, you should be able to find him."

Sophia’s lips curved slightly.

Of course. He wanted her to come.

Otherwise, who goes golfing first thing in the morning?

"Thank you," she said, then turned and left.

When she arrived at the golf course, she could see Damien from afar, his movements sharp and fluid as he swung his club.

"Well," she called out, walking toward him, "should I say you were waiting for me, or that you’re just exercising early for your health?"

It had only been a few days, but his presence felt different—calmer, steadier, more composed.

Damien gave a faint, easy smile. "I thought you’d wait longer before coming. Didn’t expect you so soon."

Sophia crossed her arms. "You’d better explain yourself. What did that message mean? I thought it was just a gift—turns out it was some sort of riddle. Now that I’m here, shouldn’t we sit down and talk properly?"

Damien didn’t answer right away. He raised his club and took one clean swing—

The golf ball soared through the air and landed directly in the hole.

Handing his club to his assistant, he turned to her.

"Sit," he said calmly. "We should talk."

Once she sat across from him, he exhaled slowly.

"There’s something I haven’t told you," he said. "Another identity of mine."

Sophia narrowed her eyes. "Another identity? What kind?"