Chapter
Elias froze mid–step, eyes locked on the screen as he read the message:
Sophia: “I’m not bringing it. I’m not your maid anymore. You regret marrying me? Then know this–I regret wasting my life on you. Goodbye.”
The words landed like a punch. His jaw clenched, his fingers twitching above the phone. Was she serious? She was defying him now?
Without thinking, he fired back a reply.
Elias: “Cut the theatrics. You’re acting out because we left without you. Get your ass over here. Now”
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No response.
He tried calling.
Straight to voicemail.
He redialed. Twice. Three times. Still nothing.
Blocked.
Elias’s expression darkened. He started pacing near the terminal gate, ignoring the curious stares from fellow travelers. The more he replayed the message in his head, the more furious he became. Who did she
think she was?
Evelyn was the first to notice.
“Elias,” she said, adjusting the strap on her bag, “you look like you’re ready to explode. Where’s Sophia? Isn’t she supposed to be
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here by now?”
Before he could answer, Scarlett, lazily scrolling on her phone and sipping iced coffee, piped up, “Ugh, Mom’s probably crawling her way here. Sorry, Aunt Evelyn- her back’s been acting up again.”
Elias turned and held up his phone. “She’s not coming. Look what she just sent me.”
Evelyn leaned over to read the message. A beat passed before she let out a short laugh.
“Oh please,” she scoffed. “She’s throwing a tantrum because we didn’t invite her on the northern lights trip. She’s just looking for attention–like always. I told you she’d pull something like this.”
But Elias didn’t laugh. He stared at the text again, knuckles whitening around the phone.
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Something didn’t feel right.
“I don’t know, Evelyn. This… this feels off. I should probably head back. Make sure she’s okay”
Scarlett groaned. “What? Dad, seriously? You’re going to let her ruin our trip now? Come on.”
Evelyn slipped her arm through his and said sweetly, “Honey, remember the last time she acted like this? She locked herself in the bedroom for hours because we went to that gala without her. She just wants you to feel bad. She always does this. Don’t let her guilt–trip you again.”
She leaned in closer, voice playful. “Forget the scarf. You’ll buy me a new one, won’t you?” Then with a teasing smile, she added, “Aren’t you glad the three of us are finally
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doing something together?”
He almost said no. Almost turned around and walked right back to the car.
But he didn’t.
Maybe they were right.
Sophia had always been a bit too emotional, a little too fragile.
She’d cool off, text him later. Maybe even apologize, like always.
So he gave a reluctant nod and boarded the plane.
Norway was stunning–crisp air, glittering streets dusted in snow, and the northern lights flickering like magic above their hotel. Evelyn was ecstatic, snapping selfies with
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reindeer, squealing over boutique scarves, clinging to Elias’s arm and planting kisses on his cheek, whispering how perfect everything finally was.
But Elias wasn’t really there.
Everywhere he turned, he saw Sophia. Her laughter when she talked about seeing the aurora one day. The way she used to describe the stars like they were verses from a love poem. The way she used to look at him–like he was her whole sky.
Now she was gone.
No texts. No calls. Nothing.
She had vanished.
While Evelyn and Scarlett browsed through coats, Elias wandered into a small shop
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across the plaza. That’s when he saw it- a delicate silver necklace, its charm shaped like the northern star.
Sophia would’ve adored it.
“I’ll take it,” he said quietly.
He didn’t notice Evelyn behind him until her voice rang out.
“Oh! You bought something?” she said, grinning. “Let me see!”
He handed the box to the cashier, who tucked it into a velvet pouch.
“It’s for Sophia,” he said without thinking.
Evelyn’s smile froze.
“What do you mean, it’s for Sophia?”
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Elias didn’t answer. He pulled out his wallet and paid.
“Wait,” she said, her tone suddenly sharper. “Why would you get her something so expensive? What about me?”
He gave her a weary glance. “This is me trying to make things right. If you want one, get it yourself.”
And with that, he walked out.
That night, they all gathered on the balcony of the hotel, watching the sky with mugs of cocoa in hand.
After a hot shower, Elias reached into the drawer to take a photo of the necklace- something he could send Sophia, hoping it would break the ice.
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But the pouch was gone.
He rifled through the drawers. Checked every suitcase. Searched under the bed.
Nothing.
He stepped out onto the balcony.
And there she was.
Evelyn.
Wearing it.
The northern star pendant shimmered under the aurora, resting against her throat like it belonged there.
Anger surged through Elias.
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He stormed over. “That was for Sophia. I told you that.”
Evelyn turned, her expression feigning innocence. “I’m just wearing it first.”
He stepped closer. “Evelyn. I said it wasn’t yours.”
“Why not?” she snapped. “You love me now. Not her. She was just the stand–in. I get the good stuff. That’s how it works, right?”
“No,” Elias said, voice low and furious. “I told you. It was for her. Take it off.“”
She raised her chin. “I’m not going to.”
The silence that followed was electric.
Then his hand moved.
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is itoints)
The slap rang out, loud and sudden.
Evelyn stumbled back, her hand flying to her
cheek, eyes wide with shock.
Chapter 7
